Why Learning to Code is Hard – And How to Make it Easier
Learning to code can be an incredibly rewarding experience, both personally and professionally. In a world that is increasingly driven by technology, programming skills are in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of software developers is projected to grow 22% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Not only are there abundant job opportunities, but coding can also be a lucrative career path. The median annual wage for software developers was $110,140 in May 2021. And with the rise of the gig economy and remote work, many programmers enjoy the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world.
But let‘s be real – learning to code is HARD, especially for beginners. It‘s easy to get discouraged when you‘re stuck on a problem for hours, staring at a blinking cursor on a blank screen. Even experienced programmers face challenges and frustrations on a daily basis.
So what makes coding so difficult to learn? Let‘s dive in.
Why Learning to Code is Challenging
1. Coding Requires a New Way of Thinking
Programming is a unique skill because it requires you to think like a computer. You have to break down complex problems into a set of clear, unambiguous instructions that a machine can understand and execute. This type of systematic, logic-based thinking is very different from how we normally approach problems in our daily lives.
As humans, we‘re used to communicating with nuance, context, and intuition. But computers are literal and explicit. They can‘t read between the lines or infer your intentions. Learning to be precise and detail-oriented in your thinking is a major paradigm shift.
2. Programming Concepts Can Be Abstract
Many fundamental concepts in programming, like variables, functions, loops, and object-oriented programming, are highly abstract. They don‘t have obvious real-world analogues that beginners can easily relate to.
Let‘s take a basic example:
int x = 10; This line of code declares a variable named "x" and assigns it the integer value of 10. But what does that actually mean? The idea that you can store a value in a symbolic container for later use is not immediately intuitive.
More advanced concepts like recursion, time complexity, and higher-order functions are even more mind-bending. Grasping these ideas requires forming new mental models, which takes time and practice.
3. Information Overload
When you‘re starting to learn to code, it can feel like drinking from a firehose. There‘s an overwhelming amount of information to take in, from syntax and data structures to frameworks and design patterns.
Even just choosing which programming language to start with can be paralyzing. Do you go with a versatile, beginner-friendly language like Python? Dive into web development with JavaScript? Or tackle a lower-level language like C to gain a deeper understanding of how computers work?
The paradox of choice is real. With so many resources available at your fingertips – online tutorials, textbooks, video courses, bootcamps – it‘s easy to fall into the trap of tutorial hell and never actually start building anything.
4. Debugging is Frustrating
The hard truth is, your code is going to break. A lot. Hunting down bugs and fixing errors is an inevitable part of the programming process, but that doesn‘t make it any less aggravating.
Beginners often struggle with knowing where to start investigating when something goes wrong. Is it a syntax error? A logical flaw in the algorithm? An issue with the underlying system or dependencies?
Debugging requires a systematic approach and intimate familiarity with the tools of the trade. But it also necessitates a degree of intuition that can only be developed through experience. While print statements and Google searches can get you far, some bugs demand a frustrating amount of trial and error to track down.
5. Imposter Syndrome is Real
On top of the inherent challenges of learning to code, many beginners also grapple with imposter syndrome – the feeling that you‘re not good enough and don‘t belong in the programming community.
It‘s easy to compare yourself to more experienced developers and feel inadequate. The tech industry can feel like an exclusive club dominated by genius "10x engineers" and wunderkinds who seem to have been born knowing how to code.
In reality, every programmer started as a beginner at some point. Even veteran developers feel like they still have a lot to learn. The field of technology evolves so rapidly that you‘ll never reach a point where you know everything – and that‘s okay!
Learning to be comfortable with discomfort and cultivating a growth mindset is key to pushing past self-doubt. Remember that struggling with code doesn‘t mean that you‘re not cut out to be a programmer – it simply means you‘re learning and growing.
Tips for Making Learning to Code Easier
Alright, so we‘ve established that learning to code is no walk in the park. But don‘t despair! While there‘s no magic shortcut to becoming a 10x developer overnight, there ARE strategies you can employ to make your coding journey a bit smoother.
1. Start With the Fundamentals
When you‘re eager to start building flashy websites and complex applications, it can be tempting to jump straight into frameworks and libraries. But without a solid grasp of the underlying fundamentals, you‘ll quickly get lost and frustrated.
Invest time in learning core programming concepts like data types, control structures, and algorithms. Make sure you understand how these building blocks work in vanilla JavaScript before worrying about learning React or Node.js.
A strong foundation will give you the mental models and problem-solving strategies you need to tackle more advanced topics down the line.
2. Practice Consistently
Like any skill, coding is something that must be practiced regularly to improve. Commit to writing code every day, even if it‘s only for 30 minutes. Consistent, focused practice is more effective than long, sporadic coding sessions.
At first, it can feel tedious to work through basic exercises and simple projects. But repetition is crucial for developing muscle memory and internalizing concepts. Over time, the fundamentals will start to feel automatic, freeing up your mental energy to tackle harder problems.
3. Break Problems Down
Solving a complex programming challenge can feel overwhelming, especially for beginners. One of the most important skills you can develop is the ability to break big problems down into smaller, more manageable pieces.
Before diving into writing code, take a step back and outline a high-level plan. What are the inputs and expected outputs? What are the main components or features that need to be implemented? Sketch out a basic algorithm in pseudocode.
Then start tackling the problem piece by piece, testing and debugging as you go. By following this incremental approach, you can make steady progress instead of spinning your wheels.
4. Learn By Doing
When you‘re learning a new language or framework, it‘s easy to fall into the trap of passively consuming content. You can spend hours reading tutorials and watching video courses, feeling like you‘re absorbing a lot of information.
But here‘s the thing – you don‘t really understand a concept until you can apply it in code. The most effective way to learn is by actively doing, not just observing.
As you‘re working through a tutorial or lesson, resist the urge to simply copy and paste the example code. Take the time to actually type out each line yourself. Experiment with modifying the code and breaking things to see what happens. Try to rebuild projects from scratch without referring back to the solution.
The more hands-on practice you get, the deeper your understanding will be.
5. Build Projects You Care About
Once you have a handle on the basics, start building your own projects outside of guided tutorials. Not only will this help reinforce the concepts you‘ve learned, but it will also give you the opportunity to run into roadblocks and figure out how to overcome them yourself.
When you‘re working on a project you‘re genuinely invested in, it‘s easier to stay motivated even when you get stuck. So choose project ideas that excite you! If you‘re a movie buff, build a film recommendation engine. If you‘re into fitness, create a workout tracking app.
The sense of ownership and accomplishment you‘ll feel when you bring your own ideas to life is unparalleled. Plus, you‘ll wind up with an impressive portfolio to show off to potential employers or clients.
6. Find a Community
One of the best ways to stay motivated and accelerate your learning is to surround yourself with other people who are also learning to code. Find a community of like-minded beginners who can relate to your struggles and celebrate your successes.
Look for local meetups, join online forums and social media groups, or consider enrolling in a structured program like a coding bootcamp. Having a supportive network of peers can make the journey feel less daunting and lonely.
More experienced developers can also be incredible mentors. Don‘t be afraid to reach out and ask for guidance or code reviews. Most programmers are happy to help and share their knowledge, as long as you‘re respectful of their time and energy.
7. Embrace the Struggle
Learning to code is not a linear journey. You‘ll have moments of breakthrough and clarity, but you‘ll also encounter plenty of frustration and self-doubt along the way.
Remember that hitting walls and getting stuck is not a sign of failure – it‘s simply part of the process. Treat each bug and roadblock as a learning opportunity. When you overcome a challenging problem on your own, the satisfaction is that much sweeter.
Cultivate a mindset of curiosity and persistence. Instead of getting discouraged when things don‘t work, get excited about diving in and figuring out why. With practice, you‘ll start to develop the grit and problem-solving skills that are the hallmarks of a successful programmer.
8. Celebrate Your Wins
Learning to code is a marathon, not a sprint. It‘s important to acknowledge and celebrate your progress along the way, no matter how small.
Did you finally nail down that tricky algorithm? Celebrate! Did you successfully deploy your first web app? Celebrate! Did you contribute to your first open-source project? You guessed it – celebrate!
Take a moment to reflect on how far you‘ve come and give yourself credit for your hard work. Sharing your wins with your community can also help boost your confidence and keep you accountable.
Remember, every expert developer was once a beginner. The only difference between you and them is time and practice.
You‘ve Got This!
Learning to code is a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey. It‘s a skill that can open up a world of opportunities, both personally and professionally.
While the road ahead may seem daunting, know that you‘re not alone. Every programmer has been in your shoes and has faced the same struggles and doubts.
But with the right strategies, mindset, and support system, you CAN learn to code. You don‘t have to be a math whiz or a natural-born problem solver. You just need to be willing to put in the time and effort, embrace the challenges, and never stop learning.
So what are you waiting for? Pick a language, find a resource, and start coding today. The world of programming awaits you!