How Do I Go From Beginner to Intermediate

Career Advice
1

Hi everyone, I found out about freeCodeCamp back in 2022 and I stumbled upon it as a result of reading Quincy Larson book How to Learn to Code and Get a Developer Job, I read the book (it was an article) and completed it at a go. I really enjoyed the whole story and it was inspiring, Quincy went from being an English teacher, attending tech event and building freeCodeCamp for people all over the world so they can learn how to code for free.

Ever since then, I started learning learning how to code, I will practice for at least 2 to 3 hours everyday learning how to code (I started with the Responsive Web Design), It was all fun because it was hands-on and I dont enjoy reading when it comes to coding, for me I just want to practice. It was when I got to the certification project that I noticed coding was less about writing syntax but more about thinking and problem-solving. It took me a lot of time but I finally got my Responsive Web Design certificate in November 2023. It was rewarding because I finally did it. I also learned how to use Git simultaneously too while learning RWD, it was hard at first but I made progress and I tried to push my code from freeCodeCamp - VS Code - My Github, hosted it on Github pages then send to my friends and siblings to check out what I have built.

Then I moved to JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures, I am really a big fan of JavaScript because it doesn’t just teach me logic but forces me to be patient, careful, pay attention to detail because I learn faster from making mistakes and when I make them I learn to be careful so as not to repeat it again.

But this is why I started writing this, I have been on JavaScript for a while now and it so depressinga and frustrating that I can build project with it. I want you all to understand that this is not because I dont know the basics but because I dont just know how to move from knowing the basics to applying them in use cases. All I am requesting from everyone reading this is to provide feedback on how I can go from knowing the basics/fundamentals to building projects that matters. I am more keen on sharpening my JavaScript for backend engineering as I’ve always been curious about what goes on behind the scenes of websites, apps and systems that powers the internet in our everyday life.

Thank you,
JP

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it sounds like you haven’t built enough projects outside of a class. that is where most of the learning comes from.

so that would be a good place to start. take an idea. and build it out slowly. ask tons of questions along the way. google a lot. break things and make hundreds of mistakes.

learning how to program is more than syntax as you pointed out. the only way to get better at programming is by doing. so you are going to need to take that next step and build stuff outside of a course. That is the hardest step for most people and where most people drop off with coding. but that is the only way to get to that next level you want to get to.

There will be tons of times while building where you won’t now what to do next. but that is completely normal. that is where research comes in. asking questions comes in. experimentation comes in.

hope that helps

3 Likes
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I’m actually struggling from the same problem. I lack experience as well in making projects.

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yh this really helps!