Want to self-study coding? Realistic advice for someone just starting
I'm a non-CS major and in my mid-30s. Lately, while working, I've been thinking more and more about switching to a developer, but with so much information out there, I have no idea where to start.
I already learned a bit of basic Python syntax on YouTube (repeated the tutorial 3 times), but now that I try to do a small project, I can't get myself to start.
If there's a free or paid course that's basically 'this is all you need,' please recommend it. Also, I can only invest about 1 hour a day—at this pace, will I have some skill in 6 months?
4 answers
True. Repeating the Python tutorial three times is a total waste of time. I think you only improve when you actually build something.
I'm a non-CS major in my late 30s. With just one hour a day, six months gives you a decent foundation. But rather than getting course recommendations, start with free resources and finish a small project end-to-end. The moment you glance at paid courses, you'll just end up repeating the same YouTube loop. Skills grow by how much you do—you can't judge them by speed.
Well, if you study just 1 hour a day, after 6 months you'll only be at the starting stage. Even someone I know who studied 3 hours a day for a year struggled to find a job. If you're a non-major in your mid-30s, shouldn't you be working even harder? Paid courses are definitely not a savior.
Oh, I guess an hour isn't enough for me either. Still, I've heard Python is the right way to start, so I was thinking of trying it too, but what do you think about JavaScript instead?