Code Moms

A good starting point is in asking the question "Why do I want to learn code?" Do you want to find a new career or skill? Are you wanting to make a better income? What is your motivation? My son has a passion for computer programming and this is what motivates him. For me, I want to use my art skills and technology to contribute a positive effect in the world.

The next question to ask is "What is my passion?" There are many different learning tracks to choose from in the tech industry like: front-end developer, back-end developer, web designer, IOS developer, database engineer, etc. What is your passion? Find something you love and follow that path.

When we first started our code journey, we set a goal to learn 500 hours in a year, which broke down to just two hours a day. Set a goal that is reasonable and attainable, but also challenging.

Investigate the different online code schools and see if they have a track that will fit your goals. Check out our Schools Page for links to the schools we have followed. But don't stop there. New online school platforms are emerging quickly to match the high demand for computer programmers in the tech industry.

How much time can you commit to learning? Do you want to go slow and steady or fast and furious? Find a block of time that you can dedicate to and make that part of your daily schedule. We kept a log and recorded our hours, as well as topics we were learning or projects we were building.

There is so much information to learn, that we recommend taking notes and keeping a binder to organize them. Also, bookmark all the resources that you come across in your classes.

Learning on your own can be challenging so it's good to find ways to stay motivated. You could make a Tower of Code, like we did, or create something else to keep yourself motivated.

The best way to integrate the information you absorb is to "learn by doing." We found that creating mini-projects enabled us to reinforce the topics beyond our online class readings, videos and quizzes.

Code can be challenging but realize that the progression is gradual. Being a self-taught coder takes dedication and persistence. This is a long hike. Whatever pace you go, keep it constant and focus on endurance.

There were a few times we were ready to throw in the towel, but we never gave up. If you get to a roadblock, take a break or go on a walk. Then begin again.