5 Tips for Learning to Code Online

Technology is the present and future of our planet. Programming and coding are the most desirable skills and are in very high demand in all industries. With thousands of free available resources, now is the best time to jump on the bandwagon and acquire these skills. However, you might find it hard from where to begin and how to stay motivated. 

Have you made the brave (and essential) decision to learn how to code and are getting fidgety with where to start? Look no further. We have compiled five tips to help you kickstart this journey.

1. Set a goal:

Before starting your coding journey, setting a concrete and realistic goal is crucial. Programming comprises numerous areas, including data sciences, website development, mobile app development, game development, cloud computing, etc. If you try to learn all these subjects at once, it can get overwhelming. Instead, ask yourself why you want to code. Is it for building a mobile app or working at a tech startup? Is it for creating a new website or learning how to develop a gaming app?  

Once you have defined your goal and have a clear idea of why you want to learn to code, research which language you wish to start your coding journey with. For example, if you’re going to learn C#, you must understand why and how to learn C#. Understand the pros and cons of the language. Since learning how to code is a new task for your brain, it’s also essential to train your brain on how to learn it. In the case of C#, it’s a simple language. Its syntax is similar to other programming languages and can help learn other languages reasonably quickly. Easy to read and write and is used by both beginners and advanced developers. 

Hence, it’s essential to have a clearly defined end goal in mind. It will increase your productivity, ensure quality and speedy learning and minimize distractions. It will also help you track your progress and provide the motivation to keep you going forward. 

2. Create a schedule and stick to it:

Starting to learn coding on your own requires great dedication and discipline. One of the drawbacks of self-learning is the ability to procrastinate quickly. You will be distracted by a mobile notification or a house chore. You will also find it hard to take out time to learn in your busy schedule.

To overcome these problems, it’s vital to create a schedule and stick to it. Try to incorporate it into your everyday routine and develop a daily coding habit. Find the time of the day when you are most productive and focused. It might be early in the day before work hours or late in the afternoon after the work day. Block that time on your calendar and set reminders. Once you have decided on the time of the day, find a perfect place to sit where you can limit distractions and flux your learning and creative juices. Put your phone on airplane mode to enter the stage of the flow. Remember to reward yourself after achieving your daily goal of coding. It will motivate you for the next day. 

3. Join a programming course

The Internet is a free and open university. There are hundreds and thousands of resources and tools available. You can choose a free course and a boot camp catered to your needs. These courses are taught by some of the experts and masters in the field and are designed to push you out of your comfort zone to learn new skills. Harvard CS50 is an introductory course for beginners that can help develop a strong foundation and understanding of the subject. These courses are set at an optimal pace for new learners.  

However, the abundance of available resources might overwhelm you and make it difficult to choose from. The best suggestion, in this case, would be to pick one course and stick to it. Finish it from start to end. Do all the coursework and coding assignments. Reference other videos or additional resources if you are stuck somewhere. Remember learning to code is a marathon, not a sprint. You will not be an expert after just completing one course. You will have to work to refine your skills continuously.  

4. Ask for advice and help:

As a new learner, it’s guaranteed that you will get stuck more often than you will desire. This can delay and prolong learning if you try to be self-sufficient and solve the problems yourself. Even the maestro needs some help from time to time. Never shy away from taking help from your peers and teachers. Contact the course tutors or fellow learners if you are doing an online coding course. Research online coding communities and forums., There are numerous such platforms where developers post their coding queries and answers. Try being a part of communities that are beginners friendly and easy to access. There is a high chance that you can find all your answers as a beginner. 

You can also ask your programmer friends for help. Finding a mentor to help you sail through your programming voyage is another excellent option. They can help you track your progress and set goals. They will provide you with new ideas and answer your questions. You can get regular feedback on your projects from your mentor. Since they have traveled that path, they can give you an expert’s opinion. 

5. Practice makes you perfect:

Make a habit of practicing what you learn every day and repeat it at regular intervals. It will provide cognitive ease and help retain new information. Start building your project to implement what you learn in your course. It’s easy to follow your coding instructor blindly, but you will never truly understand how to code if you do not encounter your problems. Replicate all the materials that were taught to you on your coding editor. Redo them if you get stuck with errors and bugs. This might seem irritating and time-consuming initially, but it’s the only way to polish and refine your skills. 

Creating your projects and practicing on them will also help you develop your portfolio. In addition, it will help you in job hunting and attract recruiters. It will show them your passion for coding and problem-solving skills.

There are thousands of different approaches and paths which you can take to embark on this journey. These tips will hopefully help you streamline the process and get you more excited about coding.