Today, even young children are learning coding. But that doesn’t mean programming is an easy skill to master. If you have signed up for one of the data analytics courses in Singapore, there are some things you should know to make the most of this learning journey. These are also some helpful tips that will help you get started with the right mindset!
Don’t rush yourself
Coding is a lot about experimentation. You’re not going to get it right the first time, and sometimes the second time, and the third, and the fourth… but with a lot of patience and trial and error, you will get there. Technical glitches are normal encounters for programmers, so you shouldn’t feel discouraged when you meet with them. If you give up, you will never build a successful code and improve at coding. Only by pulling through the errors, can you then learn and reach your goals! Remember, learning takes time, so don’t rush yourself when embarking on your coding journey.
Have set goals
If you want to get better at programming, it is best to set for yourself a clear goal. For example, find out which field of data science you are more interested in, and work towards that. Or perhaps you have always wanted to create your own product using coding. Or maybe you want to gain a new skill to work in the data analytics industry. Whatever it is, having a goal sets the direction and gives you the motivation to persevere. If your goal seems too far away at first, you can also set mini goals. They could be smaller projects or specific skills you want to master, so that you know you are on the way to your achieving your bigger ambitions. Always ensure that the goals you set are realistic yet able to push your boundaries. That way, you will be able to reach them and improve continually.
Focus on the right projects
Some coders find it so difficult to master a programming language. While programming languages have their own sets of rules to learn, keep in mind that it is a language after all, and languages are best learnt through practice! While taking up a data science course may help you plenty, you still have to get your hands dirty and work on projects if you really want to practice coding. Working on projects reveals the areas in which you are lacking, so you know which skills to focus on improving. As some will tell you, coding is a problem-solving tool. So, find projects that will solve problems meaningful to you, so that you feel motivated to complete them.
Engage with a developer community
The internet is awesome for connecting with others and discovering learning resources. Don’t miss out on all the great resources you can find, such as repositories for the various programming languages, codes made by others, and live coding demonstrations. While these cannot replace a structured and step-by-step data analytics course, they are perfect for finding ideas for your next project. Coders also gather online to share tips and tricks, so do make use of the platform to learn from more experienced programmers around the world.
We hope these tips give you a better idea of how you can improve yourself more quickly as a beginner coder. As there are always new developments and changes to technology, remember that programming is a never-ending learning journey. So buckle up, and never stop learning!