Coding Academy Survival Guide // Tips

Lakshman 'Lucky' Hariharan

Like many aspiring software engineers, I turned to a coding academy as an alternative to traditional chooling to help develop my skills and establish connections in the industry. I can say from experience that it has been a rewarding journey, but also at times overwhelming, challenging and anxiety-inducing! With that in mind, I’ve curated 18 tips to help you in your coding academy or software engineering internship.

Here are the tips:

Don't get stuck in tutorial hell.
While tutorials are helpful, true learning comes from building your own projects and learning from your mistakes.
Ask for help early and often.
Don't hesitate to seek assistance if you're struggling with a concept or need guidance on a project.
Trust your own pace.
Embrace your individuality and focus on your progress instead of comparing yourself to others or conforming to expectations.
Believe in yourself fully,
especially when the odds seem against you. Keep a positive mindset and remember that you only fail if you choose to give up.
Be honest with yourself and others.
Admitting to yourself when you're struggling or feeling stuck is the first step to getting the support you need.
Celebrate bite-sized progress.
Focus on making small improvements every day, and over time, they will add up to significant progress.
Take care of yourself.
Prioritize self-care by taking breaks, exercising, eating well, and maintaining your mental health.
Embrace success.
Regularly visualize what success looks like. Take some time, early in the day, and hold onto that feeling.
Embrace failure.
Don't be afraid to try new things or take risks, even if they result in failure. Failure is a valuable learning experience.
Stay organized.
Keep track of your assignments, deadlines, and notes in a way that works best for you, whether that be through a physical planner or a digital to-do list like Todoist.
Read documentation thoroughly.
Understanding how to navigate documentation is an essential skill for software engineers, so take the time to read and comprehend documentation carefully.
Follow the revision rule of 3's.
Reinforce your understanding of the new concept or material by reviewing it on three separate occasions.
Practice consistently.
Dedicate time every day to coding, even if it's just for a few minutes, to keep your skills sharp and maintain momentum.
Collaborate with others.
Working with classmates or colleagues on projects can help you learn from their strengths and weaknesses, while also building your teamwork skills.
Practice intentional communicating.
Clear and effective communication is critical in any professional field, so don’t be afraid to work on developing your communication skills through intentional practice and asking for feedback.
Keep up with the latest industry news.
Use articles, podcasts, blogs, or social media to stay informed and relevant
Network actively.
Attend meetups or conferences, participate in online forums or groups, and connect with people in the industry to expand your professional network.
Seek out mentorship.
Find someone with more experience than you to mentor you and provide guidance throughout your journey.