I embarked on my coding journey in mid-2021 when I began my Bachelor’s in Information Technology at BMIIT, a sub-institution of Uka Tarsadia University. Before this, the world of Information Technology was completely foreign to me. I had never ventured into coding or anything remotely related to IT, probably because I wasn’t very focused on my studies or my future at that time. When I finally stepped into this new world, it was like learning a new language from scratch—completely unfamiliar and challenging. Having never written a single line of code even during my higher secondary education, I found myself struggling to adapt. I wasn’t a quick learner back then, so the initial experience was filled with multiple obstacles.
In my first semester, we tackled some foundational subjects like DBMS, FOP (where we learned C++ programming), CFO (Computer Fundamentals), and other essential courses. Learning to code was a significant challenge for me, mainly because I couldn’t easily develop the logic needed to solve problems. But through persistence, dedication, and a lot of hard work, I gradually began to understand how to think like a programmer. I turned to resources like YouTube and online articles, especially Stack Overflow, to solve specific issues. Watching tutorials and following pre-written solutions became my routine, and discussing problems with friends also played a crucial role in my progress.
Reflecting on my 3.5 years of coding experience, I have some advice for those just starting out, especially if, like me, you have zero prior knowledge of programming. Begin with an introductory video on YouTube about the specific language or topic you’re interested in. Then, follow up with beginner-level courses on the same platform. If you’re looking for certifications, consider pursuing courses on any preferred platform. This approach can help ease you into the world of coding, just as it did for me.