My Journey into Programming: From Struggles to Continuous Learning

 Programming. It’s a word that once scared me to my core. Coming from a small village, I had no clue what it even meant. Up until FSc, my life revolved around Biology. I thought I’d become a doctor, but life had other plans. After completing FSc, I didn’t know what to pursue further. By sheer chance, I ended up taking admission in BS Computer Science (BSCS), with no idea of what lay ahead.

The first programming class I ever attended was for C++, taught by Dr. Attique. He was a brilliant teacher, but my first experience was a disaster. Imagine sitting in a room full of students while the instructor explains syntax, and you’re sitting there clueless. I couldn’t even make sense of the strange symbols and their order.

As I tried to take notes, the syntax seemed so bizarre that I couldn’t even copy it properly. Two classmates sitting next to me started laughing at my notes, and honestly, that hurt a lot. Later, when I shared my notes with my friends, they made it even worse by uploading stories and statuses mocking them. My first interaction with programming was a nightmare.

Turning Point: A Decision to Keep Going

Despite feeling humiliated, I made up my mind to learn programming, no matter how hard it seemed. I told myself, “If others can do it, so can I.” And that was the start of my real journey.

I began by exploring resources like blogs, books, and YouTube tutorials. Back then, tools like ChatGPT didn’t exist, so I had to work extra hard. I practiced a lot and wrote countless lines of code. Slowly but surely, things began to click.

My First Milestone

In the first semester, we were tasked with creating a project. For me, it was an opportunity to prove myself. I spent countless hours researching, coding, and debugging. I wrote 1600 lines of code by hand—every single word typed out on my own.

When I submitted my project, I still wasn’t sure if it was good enough. But the reaction from my instructor and classmates changed everything. My lab instructor gave me 100% marks, something no one else in the class achieved. My classmates were shocked, wondering how I had managed to create such a project. That moment was a game-changer for me.

(If you’re curious, you can check out the project on my GitHub or even view my mark sheet here.)

Lessons Learned Along the Way

As I progressed, I learned a few key lessons that I want to share with anyone struggling with programming:

1. Consistency is Key: Programming isn’t about overnight success. It’s about showing up every day and working through problems.
2. Don’t Fear Syntax: Syntax might seem intimidating at first, but once you understand it, you can write anything. Think of it as a language—practice makes perfect.
3. Start Early: If you’re working on a semester project, don’t wait until the last week. Start at least a month earlier to give yourself time to explore and improve.
4. Save Your Beginner Code: Your early codes are like a diary of your progress. Looking back at them later can remind you of how far you’ve come.
5. Break Problems into Smaller Parts: When working on a complex function, divide it into smaller, manageable tasks.

Practical Tips for Beginners

If you’re just starting out, here’s how you can make programming easier:

• Understand the Basics: Use beginner-friendly websites like Programiz and W3Schools. They’re excellent for learning foundational concepts.
• Practice Daily: Even 30 minutes a day can make a difference.
• Build Projects: Start small, but aim to improve. For example, take a basic project, understand its logic, and then add your own features.
• Experiment Fearlessly: Don’t just memorize code—play around with it. If you’re adding a new feature, test it in a separate file before integrating it into your main project.
• Embrace AI Tools: Today, tools like ChatGPT can help you debug and brainstorm, making the learning process much smoother.

Exploring New Frontiers

Since that first semester, I’ve explored a lot of areas in programming. Some of my notable projects include:

• Traffic Management System
• File Encryption and Decryption in Assembly Language
• Various projects

I won’t claim to be an expert, but I’ve come a long way. Recently, I even learned Python in just three hours during Ramadan and mastered Assembly Language in three days. The key was focus and determination.

Final Thoughts

If you’re struggling with programming, remember that it’s okay to feel lost at first. Everyone starts somewhere. What matters is your willingness to learn and your consistency.

For me, programming was never just about writing code—it became a way to challenge myself and grow. And if I can do it, so can you. Just take that first step, and keep going. Who knows? One day, you might inspire someone else with your journey.

So, what are you waiting for? Start coding!