New dev here — every code review wrecks my mental state
I'm a backend developer, 3 months into the job. I knew I'd make mistakes as a junior, but every time I get code review feedback, I start wondering why I even started this.
Especially since the senior developer writes review comments in a really blunt style... Feedback like 'Why did you write it this way?' or 'If you do this, no one will know what's what when they look at it later' hits me one after another.
Of course it's all valid and I really am lacking, but when I get home those words keep echoing in my head. Even after work, I keep blaming myself.
How did you all survive this period? Is there no choice but to just accept it?
4 answers
Haha, I was like that at 3 months too. Everyone goes through it, so don't beat yourself up too much.
Well, if the review is blunt, isn't that actually good? Better than a troublesome customer later. Honestly, you'll forget about it in a month.
At the time, I wrote down every review comment in a notebook and read them once before leaving work. Over time, I noticed my code getting cleaner and cleaner. Now, I'm grateful to that senior. But keep your emotions separate from the code—they're criticizing the code, not you.
Oh, I'm the same. My heart drops as soon as I check the reviews lol. But you'll feel better after some time. You got this!