After you've completed the pre-mission reading, comment below with your reflections on past coding sessions and future coding plans/goals. Feel free to introduce yourself and follow other participants you see below! Encourage one another and provide help where you think it's necessary.
Congrats on challenging yourself to Code More! If you have any questions about the challenge overall, head to the Code More Help Thread. For any technical questions throughout the challenge (or in general) write a #help post and share with the community!
Discussion (70)
Hey everyone! I'm super excited to join the challenge.
Consistency is such a great short-term goal when it comes to the larger objective of coding more! Great answer
I too know the struggle of taking long breaks from a project! It can be quite disheartening.
Hello everyone!
I am excited and nervous about joining this challenge.
Hello everybody!
It's been awesome reading about all of your experiences, a lot of them hit really close to home.
Very excited to be getting started with #CNC2021! Here are my pre-mission reflections:
What's working, and why?
1. Planning: whether it's breaking down steps to solve a problem or using Figma to create a mockup, planning always makes the building experience more enjoyable and less intimidating
2. Stepping Away: after learning about the diffuse mode I've learned to step away from a problem if I'm getting nowhere, rather than bash my head against it repeatedly. It's incredible how many problems I solve doing the dishes, or going for a walk
3. Breakthroughs: contrary to stepping away, there's a wonderful reward in facing a tough challenge and solving the problem attached. Whenever I feel stuck and demotivated I like to think about how I've chipped away at projects in the past and come out on top
What isn't working, and why?
1. Perfectionism: the reason this was such a problem for me was because I adopted an all-or-nothing mentality and would frequently opt for the latter. It's also ridiculous to expect myself to be writing perfect code as a beginner!
2. Lack of Clarity: the direct pain point that comes from not planning. Telling myself to, "build X" hardly ever works out, I need to clearly see all X's bits and pieces to make sense of where I'm headed
3. Delaying Feedback: this one leans a bit on the perfectionism issue. Since finding a mentor, and going through code I'm busy writing with them, I've realized that I wanted to keep it all to myself until it was 'perfect'. It's far better to be sharing throughout the building process and getting the feedback when it matters
Long-term goal:
The next 6-12 months are all about getting my first gig as a developer. Whether that's full-time, interning, or building websites for whoever needs one. Right now I split my time between working and learning; the thought of being paid to code/learn is a dream!
Short-term goal:
Over the course of this CN challege I aim to have my personal portfolio built, in React, and hosted to share with potential employers/clients.
Thanks for reading! I look forward to everyone's next update.
I resonate with your point 1 for what isn't working. I too am a perfectionist and tend to just give up on a project/coding session when things aren't going the way I want them to. I definitely want to have more self-compassion this go around.
I often use the mantra, "If you win you win, but if you lose you learn." Honestly now days I don't want my project to go smooth; if I can get from start to finish where everything goes perfectly then I haven't learned anything.
It's an empowering perspective.
Hi!
Determine what has worked.
Think about the times you've been happy with what you've coded — jot down three things that went well.
Next, jot down three reasons why that was a happy coding session.
Determine what has NOT worked.
Write down three things that you were unhappy about.
Next, write down three reasons why those unhappy things happened.
What are your long-term goals?
What are your short-term goals?
hello all. hope everyone is well today. I am Joe. I have been attempting to learn to code for about two years now seriously. Off and on for a few years before that.
so, what has worked? This is a tough question since I feel like nothing really has worked and that's why I am here. However in an extremely vague sense simply coding every day, be it 30 minutes or 4 hours just making myself do it consistently has helped.
What hasn't worked? my attempt to understand what I am trying to build. I often find myself getting lost researching how to make something happen or function properly. Before I know it I'm so frustrated I want to walk away.
My long-term goal is to eventually work at either NASA or Space X and contribute to the preservation of our species through software.
My short term goal is to
gain som useful experience so I ca land a job at all.
Hi Joe! I feel the same way. I have a CS degree and yet I feel that I haven't been able to successfully code on my own outside of school projects and my software engineering job. I really hope this challenge can help us get through our obstacles.
Hey Joe. I share many of the same feelings that you expressed. I've been learning to code off and on for many years and I too am hoping that this challenge gets me into a more consistent practice. Good luck to us both. 🤞🏾
Heya people!
I am quite excited to join this challenge, hope things work out +
What has worked:
I enjoyed it of course. I may have spent a lot of time in it. I learned a lot, not only about code about how to think.
why:
I had a really good source (cs50). I was using things that was know to me and was in my brain and I was able to see it through. I kinda knew the path.
What has NOT worked:
I have tried 100daysofcode, it didn't turned out well. I couldn't give it time daily, there are reason of personal and social types. I tried hackathons, in my first one, I was
a part of pretty beginner group, they turned out to be much beginner than me. Other times I couldn't participate with much enthusiasm due to the time difference. I have a lot of reasons and excuses but I wish to get above them all and get into a habit of coding daily.
Long-term goal:
To be a good Android App developer, enough good to be able to turn my ideas into apps. Get better at Java. And we'll see what the future holds.
Short-term goal:
Currently to focus on Android Studio. To be able to devote time to it and always come back. I also wish to find good tech-mates to learn together:)
Hello everyone, super excited to join this challenge.
I'm cautiously optimistic about joining. I'm hoping that community support helps move me toward my goal.
What has helped me code more: Nothing much, frankly. I coded daily until I was about halfway through bootcamp. Then, I became exhausted and overwhelmed. I dragged my way to completion, but never felt reinvigorated. Coding daily for long periods of time has been impossible since then.
I've tried lots (partnering, taking courses, following tutorials, taking a coding break for a few weeks etc.,) but eventually I feel overwhelmed by the concepts and upset by my lack of perceived progress.
Long term goal: Find a job
Short term goal: Feel less overwhelmed when coding. Finish some JavaScript coursework, apply for 10 jobs even though I don't feel ready.
Hi Everyone!
I am using FreeCodeCamp and The Odin Project (highly recommend) as my curriculum for learning full stack JavaScript web development. I too am struggling to stay motivated. Below are my own reflections, but I see similarities in many of the other responses.
My two main successes have been making a conscious effort to make coding part of my daily/weekly routine and keeping things simple.
I get stuck and lose motivation when I go beyond the scope of the project I am asked to do. My current project is for a To Do List that is supposed to cover some basic OOP concepts such as classes, factory functions, and SOLID programming. I turned it into learning how to build an MVC program with events. It's so complicated and so much self-learning that I get overwhelmed and the successes I was having get undermined.
My goals are to get into a regular routine of programming again and focus on breaking the project into the smallest necessary problems. Then I can get small wins, stay motivated, and get to a functional app with less stalling.
In the long term I want to round out my coding fundamentals, become fluent in some frameworks, and build a capstone project that others can use and I will be proud to share. I think this will give me the motivation to start seeking a web development career (preferably one where I can work from home at least part time).
Good luck everyone and hope to continue reading your posts!
I have had a very similar experience with increasing the scope of my projects/tutorial exercises. Thanks for sharing.
Hi guys! Lets do our best
What has worked:
What hasn't worked
My Long term goal:
It's pretty simple but I'd like to be writing code fulltime. I just want more time to write code to learn more as opposed to my call center job right now lol
I'd also like to make something useful for people to use within my hobbies of gaming. The idea isn't really there yet, but when it pops up in my head I'd like to have some idea of how to plan it.
My short term goal:
right now my short term goal is to definitely FINISH a project. I can't build a portfolio if I've got nothing on there
Hello, everybody!
My name is Valters and I am fairly new to coding world. I am trying different things to learn and improve, so I am quite curious to see how this challenge will go.
I must admit, I feel a bit anxious about pressing the "Submit" button for this comment, but well - what's a challenge without some nerves, right? :) So, here it goes - my raw, unedited reflection on the pre-mission questions.
Successful coding experience:
Unsuccessful coding experience:
Long term goals (by the end of the year – in 8 months):
• Being able to earn most of my money by coding
• Being able to work most of the time remotely
• Working on creating websites
• I would like to be able to create a simple website for somebody else on my own
• I would like to work in a supportive team
Short-term goals
• Go to my Wordpress profile and actually create something
• Improve my test-writing skills
• Start learning more advanced concepts of JavaScript
Hi guys! My name is Diego, I'm a frustrated chemist from Brazil. I am very happy to embark on this journey with you! Feel free to talk to me if you need anything, two newbies think better than one.
-What has worked:
The consistency.
Good resources (like the CS50).
Putting personal project ideas into practice.
-What has NOT worked:
Taking very long breaks between courses and projects, resulting in the fact that when I came back from a break I didn't know as much as I used to.
Refactor my code several times and end up giving up for lack of direction.
Don't compromise and go all-in.
-What are your long-term goals?
My main goal is to be able to express myself through my code, to bring my ideas to life. I also want an entry job as a dev when I feel ready.
-What are your short-term goals?
Focus all my energies on learning, and practicing.
develop good communication, be present in environments that contribute to my growth as a dev.
-How does it relate to your long-term goals in Question 4?
I believe that learning intensively and participating in the community will give me good experiences that I can take to a work environment.
Hello, I see some common patterns in the answers - agree with many of you!
What has worked
What hasn't worked
Long-term goals
Short-term goals
Hi All, i'm super excited to be working on the code more challenge!
Thank you all, and I can't wait to join you all on this challenge!!!
Hey, this is my first time joining a coding challenge and I'm excited to join this.
Hello fellow developers! I'm excited to join the challenge and look forward to chatting with you all as we Code More!
I'm looking forward to getting started on the challenge and hearing more from you all! It should be a fun couple of weeks!
Hello, everyone!
What has worked
Working for a short period (5-6 days consistently), always learning if i work. I jump onto anything i want to do.
What has not worked
Taking break from a project for a long time, working on something that i don't have any passion for, i just hid away after the short period and it take long to get back into the scene.
Long term goal
Become consistent and complete project that i take.
Short term goal
Build one or two project(to put into my portfolio and to overcome this "block/problem" i am having)
I really relate to this. I get stuck trying to learn too many things in a single project, take a long break, and then have a hard time building momentum again. I’m hoping this challenge can help us both get past our block and build sustainable habits for staying productive and motivated. Good luck!
Thank you. That is a huge problem actually. I am now doing it in a short bursts, but that is not the way.
Wishing you good luck as well. We need to find a solution. Hope, this is the one we are looking for.
Hello everyone
1- what has worked :
I enjoyed it and there are a lot of resources available.
2- what hasn't worked:
The big breaks between courses resulting in forgetting many stuff.
3-short term goals:
code more projects and contributing to opensource projects.
Hey there fellow codenewbies!
What's worked for me is pursuing courses with real-world, follow-along projects. I was stuck in 'tutorial hell' for a long time and needed to learn how to stick to one subject at a time in order to really commit to learning a topic.
What doesn't work for me is passively watching tutorials, or reading books and articles without the appropriate follow-through in using the just-learned techniques. Such a waste of time!
My long-term goal is to get hired as a front-end dev.
My short-term goal is to incorporate JavaScript into my toolbox. Man, JS scares the crap out of me!
Hello everyone! It's good to return to this awesome community. I agree that some of the answers have a common trend.
Hi! I decided to take part in this challenge. Good luck everyone!
What has worked:
What has not worked:
Long-term goals?:
I want to create something as a side project in my private time.
Short-term goals?:
I have many books/video courses which I thought I want to learn someday. I want to get one of them done. I want to build confidence by completing something.
Hello! I recently decided to further explore my interest in front-end web and software development. Here are my responses to question #3-6:
3) Determine what has worked.
A funny customized alert message that input a question and displayed the answer on the page, a Great Gatsby website, and a JavaScript Guessing Game.
I had fun showing the basic Q&A application to my less code-savvy friends. It was a technique I learned from Pirple, and I was simply practicing what I learned. They would ask me a question, and I would program the question and an answer and record myself typing out their question and submitting it. The script was super basic, but I was just happy that I was able to get it to work. For a certificate program, one of the assignments was to build a website for your favorite book, and I chose The Great Gatsby. It has features such as a HTML/CSS-based search bar, light/dark feature, and a video clip of the trailer for the 2012 movie. I was happy that I was able to understand and follow along with the material, and I felt like I received a better understanding than when I learned it in school. Lastly, I customized a JavaScript-based Guessing Game where a number was randomized in the console, and the user inputs a number in the hopes of guessing it correctly. After hitting submit, the user received an alert message that informs them of how close they are or if they guessed correctly. I received a good grade for this final assignment and passed the course.
4) Determine what has NOT worked.
When I completed an internship program at Cognizant Softvision, we were tasked with developing a web application to aid with the interviewing process. My task was to design a mockup login page, and for the life of me, I couldn't get the shape of the login space to be in the position on the page that I desired. This was because I didn't have a good understanding of units other than pxs such as em and vw, which I eventually learned when I asked a supervisor for help. Unfortunately, this is the only significant project I can think of at this time.
5) What are your long-term goals?
Designing and developing websites with fluent HTML and CSS, and with ample knowledge of JavaScript. Explore website APIs such as Bootstrap, and JavaScript APIs such as React.js and Node.js. Understand the backend development of websites and learn such programming languages as PHP, SQL, and Ruby. Become more proficient in Python and explore other object-oriented programming languages such as C#.
6)What are your short-term goals?
Build a responsive website from start to finish using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Things that worked
Things that didn't worked
Long-term Goals
My long-term goal is to go full time a freelance/remote developer and leave my current job.
Short-term Goals
Short term goal is to get comfortable with creating fully decoupled backends and frontends (also with integrating them).
Hello everyone, I’m Iyanu
feels good to want to do this
What has worked for me
What hasn’t worked
hope I’ll be able to get past these during this journey 🤞🏾
You will I assure you
Hello, there.
Just found this on my feed, and went head first because i want to be a better developer.
Hi everyone :)
It's my first time doing a challenge like this so really looking forward to this!
So what makes a good coding session for me?
a) I’ve had a plan of attack on what to do...and stick with it
b) I document my process (let’s me learn from my mistakes and work out what is a good practice for me)
c) I’m prepared so I don’t have to stop once I start...have a water bottle/cuppa, notepad & pencils, headphones and playlist...
What hinders having a good coding session?
a) Don’t try and make up a plan or design as I go...spend some time working out on paper how the project will work out
b) Backups and version control (Thank you git) for the inevitable mistakes and rolling back to an earlier version
c) Minimise distractions - focus only on coding for the session.
My long term goals?
In the next 12 months I would like to build up enough knowledge, projects and confidence to change careers to be a front end developer.
Hello everyone, I’m Iyanu
feels good to want to do this
What has worked for me
What hasn’t worked
hope I’ll be able to get past these during this journey
Hello! Hoping to get more consistent with coding and land a job!
Things That Went Well
Things That Don't go so Well
Long Term Goals
I want to be confident with JavaScript, React JS, and coding in general
I want a career in Front-End Development
Short Term Goals
I want to create projects and finish them
I want to code on a daily basis
I want to diminish fear and imposter syndrome
Hello everyone, so glad to join this exciting challenge!
After finishing local front-end dev Bootcamp, here's what I think:
What has worked:
What hasn’t worked:
Long-term goals (what I hope to accomplish in 6-12 months)
Short-term goals