From One Beginner to Another: What I Wish I Knew Before Learning to Code

From One Beginner to Another: What I Wish I Knew Before Learning to Code

If you’re just starting your coding journey, let me tell you something: take a deep breath. You don’t have to figure it all out at once. When I first started coding, I thought I needed to learn everything super fast, memorize every concept, and hustle 24/7. Spoiler alert: that didn’t work. 😅

So, here are a few things:

1. Don’t Rush—Seriously.

I know, I said this twice in the intro. But that’s because it’s that important. Learning to code is not a race. If you rush through the basics, you’ll end up confused later. It’s like skipping leg day at the gym—eventually, it catches up with you.

Instead of cramming everything in one week, go step by step. Enjoy the process. Coding is something you build on, and each small win adds up over time.

2. You Won’t Understand Everything Immediately—and That’s Okay.

I used to stress myself out whenever I didn’t understand something right away. Loops? Functions? Asynchronous JavaScript? Sometimes, it felt like my brain was on strike. 🤯

But here’s the truth: we don’t need to understand everything at once. Some concepts will take days or even weeks to click, and that’s completely normal. Keep going, and eventually, it will make sense.

3. Theory is Nice, but Writing Code is How You Actually Learn.

You can watch all the tutorials in the world, but unless you actually code, you won’t retain much. It’s like learning to swim by reading about it instead of jumping into the water.

4. Hustle Culture is Overrated — Take Breaks.

Look, it’s 2025. We all know that burnout is not cool. Taking breaks actually makes you a better programmer.

I used to push myself to code every single day without breaks, and guess what? I ended up mentally exhausted, and my progress actually slowed down. Taking a day or two off gives your brain time to process what you’ve learned. When you come back, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to go.

So if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, step away from the screen. Go for a walk, watch a show, play some games—whatever helps you reset. You’ll be surprised how much better you feel when you return.

5. Find Other Beginners to Chat and Collaborate With.

Coding can feel lonely if you’re just learning on your own, but it doesn’t have to be. Talking to other beginners makes a huge difference.

You’ll learn faster, stay motivated, and realize that everyone struggles with the same things. You are not alone in this journey.

Remember: Coding is a marathon, not a sprint. So enjoy the ride! 🚀