If you're new(ish) to programming, be prepared to invest quite a few hours outside of class as you level up on new skills. This is a good thing. The more time invested, the more quickly you'll gain fluency and comfort.
That said, don’t beat your head on the keyboard for 8 hours just to discover a missing colon in your code!
If you've put in an honest effort, researched and tried various solutions, then it's time to reach out to a classmate or instructor for help. I call this the 15-minute rule. It's an incredibly effective strategy for punching through a problem. Often, the simple act of explaining the problem to someone will reveal the solution.
Here are a few other suggestions and rules of the road for our course:
- Be kind. We have a ZERO-tolerance policy on "techtosterone". Both in and out of class, create an environment where classmates feel comfortable asking questions and seeking help.
- Adopt a growth mindset. Programming is a skill that anyone can learn. Put anxiety on "time-out" and trust that you too can do this.
- Collaborate. We all bring different experiences and perspectives to our work. Share your knowledge, listen to the contributions of others, and offer constructive feedback as we tackle assignments and projects.
- Put in the work. Learning to code is like learning a new language. The more reps you put in, in and out of class, the more quickly you'll learn. Make coding a part of each day by finding ways to apply it outside of this class.
- Unleash your curiosity. Be ambitious in your project ideas. Explore interesting technical nooks and crannies. Ask questions in or out of class. If we can’t answer them straight off, we can explore them together.