Last year, I seriously began asking myself this question. Okay, to tell the truth, I didn’t exactly know that I wanted to become a web developer. I had started studying Python, -as a complete newbie- because I had a slight interest in coding. I mean, prior to printing out ‘Hello World’, I had no business with the intricate workings of a computer or the building of a webpage from scratch.
But days after I started Python, I got bored. I wanted to do something else, something I enjoyed and found exciting. So I started my research. And if you know anything about this field, it is that the information therein is overwhelming!
There is soo much to process, it took me a while to find my footing. But I quickly did, because I wanted to learn. I wanted to build. So I combed through the information overload, went through tutorial hell and well... here I am?
I want to make this easier on you, so enough about me. Below are my tested and trusted tips.
1. If you want to get into Web Development, particularly Front end -because that is what yours truly has an interest in- I suggest you get comfortable with the fundamentals.
What are the fundamentals? The building blocks. The foundation.
That would be no other, than the legendary trio: HTML, CSS and JAVASCRIPT. I promise to further break down some of my tips and tricks that simplify how to study, learn and use these languages in a future blog post. But before that, just know that is the key. So what do you do? You get comfortable. You go slow. You are studying these languages like you are trying to learn English or French. It doesn’t happen overnight.
You will get excited and want to build three projects every day at the cost of your precious sleep and time, even taking on projects from family and friends because you can’t stop blabbing about how much you’re learning to build web pages, which will leave you with zero energy and joy at the end of the day even though you did meet all your deadlines... or so I heard. However, like I said, don’t be that overzealous newbie. Don’t burn yourself out. Get comfortable.
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2. Find the learning platform that suits you. Is it Google, Youtube, a blog post like this one or hell, books on what you’re interested in? Personally, I like being taught like I’m 5.
Some people might find it overly simplistic. I find it refreshing. I have no prior knowledge before now, so why not? Define every single term. Compare Brad and Angelina’s kid to (a CSS) Selector to help me better understand CSS (Yes, a tutor actually did do that).
So, choose what works for you. Might I suggest (https://www.freecodecamp.org/) ? Not only does it give you easy-to-understand lessons, you get a certification at the completion. Sweet.
3. My last point is to stay consistent. It will get tough. You will shed tears (or maybe that’s just a me thing). But it will get hard, okay? You will wonder why your lines of code aren’t working (damn you semicolon!), whether you even know what you’re doing, why you can’t code a simple navigation bar even though you’ve done it before etc etc ad infinitum. Do stay consistent though. Remember why you started. Show up everyday, even though you don’t feel like it. One thing that helps me?
I am a big, big planner. I plan every single detail of my life. (The important bits, at least). So I have to put it down on my to-do list. To study a programming language everyday. And when I do get it done, I take pleasure in marking it before I retire for the day.
The point is, to stay consistent. And if you do genuinely feel like you need a break, then take one. I know I did. And you’ll feel a lot much better and productive after a break anyways.
So that’s all folks! Get to learning. But if you already like this as your classroom, then stay tuned for next week’s breakdown on HTML5.
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Buh bye! 👋🏾
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