It was hard for me to pick a language and stick with it when I started my engineering career. So, I began exploring different languages and repeatedly asked my seniors the same question: “What should I learn?” Based on their suggestions, I started learning C++ as my first programming language. After spending hours on some tutorials and books, I grasped some basic concepts like variables, data types, loops, and more. But I still doubted myself, feeling like I wasn't learning things properly. Without seeking help, I gave up on C++.
Next, I moved on to C, then Java, and eventually JavaScript—like changing from one bus to another, trying to find my destination. None of these languages made sense to me at the time. However, I knew that people were using these languages to create cool stuff, and I wanted to be one of them. I wish I had someone to guide and mentor me, to stop me from quitting, and to push me towards understanding these languages better.
After spending time exploring different options, I finally decided to give Python a try. I started watching tutorials and taking notes. Though I was inconsistent, this time I didn’t give up. If I had been more consistent or dedicated, I would have understood the essence of learning a programming language sooner. But the journey continued, and I began to enjoy Python. I started building projects and realized that feeling frustrated meant I just didn’t get it yet. It would become easier with a few days of practice.
As I spent more time with Python, I decided to start solving problems on platforms like HackerRank and Leetcode. Even though it felt hard at first, I kept going. Now, I continue to solve problems, study concepts, and try to understand patterns. I’ve also developed an interest in web development, so I’m focusing on learning it, with an emphasis on the learning process rather than immediate results.
Python has always felt like parseltongue to me. Sometimes, it feels like I came into this field after being "sorted" by the sorting hat and ended up learning this "parseltongue."
In the end, what I’ve learned from this journey is that consistency and persistence are key. It’s okay to struggle and feel frustrated along the way—it’s all part of the learning process. If I had quit back then, I wouldn’t have discovered how much I enjoy programming, especially with Python. My path to understanding programming wasn’t straightforward, but it taught me that progress takes time, and the most important thing is to keep going, no matter how challenging it feels. Now, I’m excited to continue learning, improving, and building cool things with Python and beyond.