Learning to code is exciting—but also kinda overwhelming.
When I first started, I thought I had to learn everything at once. I’d binge YouTube tutorials, get lost in documentation, and compare myself to developers who’d been coding for years.
Now that I’ve been on the journey for a while, I want to share a few things I wish someone had told me earlier. If you’re just getting started, maybe this post will save you some stress.
1. You Don’t Need to Learn Everything
Seriously. You don’t need to learn 5 languages, 10 frameworks, and advanced algorithms to start building.
Pick one path (web dev, mobile apps, etc.), choose a simple tech stack, and stick with it.
For example:
- Frontend: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
- Backend: PHP with Laravel or Node.js
- Mobile: Flutter or React Native
Depth > breadth. Focus on getting good at one thing before hopping to the next.
2. Tutorials Are Great—But Building is Better
I spent months watching tutorials. And while they’re useful, they can also become a trap.
I wish I had started building real projects earlier—even small ones like a to-do list, calculator, or portfolio site. That’s where the real learning happens. You’ll hit errors, fix them, and grow way faster than by just watching someone else code.
3. You Will Feel Stuck (A Lot)—and That’s Normal
Debugging is part of the job. So is Googling stuff. So is feeling like you’re not “smart enough.”
But here’s the truth: every developer gets stuck. Even senior ones.
The difference is that experienced devs know how to stay calm, search smarter, and break problems into smaller pieces. It’s not about being a genius—it’s about being persistent.
4. You Don’t Need a CS Degree
I used to think I had to go to college or take a bootcamp to be taken seriously. But the truth is: your projects, consistency, and mindset matter more than your diploma.
If you can build cool stuff and explain your thought process, you’re already ahead.
5. It’s Okay to Take Breaks
There were times I burned out trying to code for 6 hours straight every night. I thought more hours meant faster progress.
Wrong.
Consistency beats intensity. Coding 30 minutes a day for a month is better than 8 hours in one weekend and then quitting for 3 weeks.
6. You’re Not Behind
Seeing 14-year-olds build AI apps on Twitter can be intimidating. But you’re not in a race.
Coding is a skill, not a competition. You’re exactly where you need to be right now. Keep going.
Final Words
If you’re still reading this, let me say it loud: You’ve got this.
The learning curve is steep at first, but it gets better. You’ll build your first real app, push it to GitHub, maybe even land your first freelance gig or dev job.
Don’t rush it. Don’t compare. Just keep showing up.
And if you ever feel stuck or alone—remember, I’m on this journey too.
Let’s keep coding. Together.