If about two years ago that, someone told me that I would someday enjoy writing code, I would have probably laughed and asked him/her to stop joking.
I'll be starting my fourth and final year as a Computer Science student this November. You'd think that after three years of studying this course, I'd be building apps, creating website, or doing all those cool programming things people imagine computer science do. But honestly, I knew nothing about coding. Nothing.
It's actually funny because that's the whole point of the course. That's what the course is about. Yet, all I knew was basic computer operations. I could type out some words, browse the web, and work with Microsoft Office but that was about it. I also did not have a laptop then, so I was stuck. The lecturers would lecture, and I would only jot it down on my notes, although it wasn't a theory class. I would space out sometimes, just staring at the board, and saying to myself: what's the point of writing this down if I cannot attempt it?
It was frustrating. I'd write full lines of code into my notebook, trying to memorise syntax but it never stuck. Coding is one of the things you have to do to understand. I tried practicing with my phone sometimes but it was stressful and limiting. It got to a point where I lost interest completely. Then there was that embarrassing moment that came whenever people found out what I was studying.
"You study Computer Science? Wow! Have you built a website before?" And my answer was always no. I hated that question so much. Bro, I didn't even know HTML. I felt like a computer science student who couldn't write any kind of code at all. Which I was.
So when I started my Industrial Training (IT), which was a compulsory six months program where students go out to gain practical experience, I applied at a hub where I could learn Web development. That's where my real learning began.
Before starting, I finally got myself a laptop. That one decision changed a lot of things. The same HTML tags and CSS styles that looked strange on the board started making sense little by little. I began with the basics and any time I did something right, I felt really proud of myself.
It was hard most of the times, at first. The smallest mistake could stop my code from working. I'll use quite some time long looking for what I did wrong, only to find out that I either missed a semicolon or added an extra bracket. Sometimes, I messed things up and had to start from the beginning again. I gave myself small goals. Gradually, the things that confused me before stopped to do so.
The instructors at the hub helped me a great deal while I was there. They offered me support, pointed out my mistakes and answered the unending questions I asked. I created simple website. It was not perfect, but I did it myself. Those small success made me more confident and coding stopped seeming like a scary thing to me.
I'm currently working on a website now, and this one is something big. I'll be done with it soon, in time for my IT defense.
I got to this stage through effort, determination and practice. I was no longer lost nor incompetent in the code jungle. I was creating websites by myself.
With what I can do for now, I am proud of myself. Although I don't know it all yet and still have a lot more to learn.
And I, sometimes, call myself a tech girlie, lol!
Thanks for reading 😃
Image is mine