Insights from My Computer Science Journey: Key Learnings and Advice
Tags: webdev, beginners, programming, python
Published: 2024-04-24 04:52:03

Hey there, fellow tech enthusiasts! I’m excited to continue with this article and share my journey in the world of computer science with you as a high school student. My name is John Kelsey, and ever since I was 3, I’ve been fascinated by technology and the endless opportunities it provides.

In this article, I’ll share what I’ve learned the past few weeks, the resources I’ve used to learn, and the valuable lessons I’ve learned along the way. Whether you’re just starting or looking to improve your skills, I hope my insights will inspire and guide you on your computer science journey.

Even though I discovered the exciting world of computer science quite early(as mentioned earlier). I never really got around to learning how to program, I mostly read articles on ‘Robots Kids Can Make’ or I would mindlessly indulge in the latest tech reviews. I sometimes would try learning how to program, I’d start learning Scratch and Grasshopper but got bored easily. Years went by with the same cycle until I got into High School, It was the second term of 9th grade, and I was by the newspaper display wall at school when I found an article about AI Ethics, I decided to read it, after I finished reading it, I decided to check who had written it. Only to realize that it was a high school student from a competitor school, and he was working on an AI model to be used in wildlife conservation. This story completely changed my perspective. I realized that anyone, even a high school student, could use coding to make a positive impact. That’s what finally pushed me to actually learn Python.

When we broke off our half-term, I decided to research which resources would use during the longer break ahead. I resolved to pick CS50’s Introduction to Python Programming, got a rough overview of the course, and returned to school. At the end of the second term, Our school got the incredible opportunity to host a team of high school students from abroad! They weren’t just any students, though — they were part of an award-winning robotics team. For a whole week, they came and taught us all about building robots. I jumped at the chance to participate.

While the intricacies of robotics itself didn’t end up being my calling, the experience shifted my perspective. Here were these passionate students, my peers, who had flown halfway across the globe to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for robotics. Their dedication was truly inspiring. Seeing their commitment and the power of what they could create with code and engineering made me realize how much potential there was in computer science as a whole. That’s what finally lit a fire under me to get serious about the field — not just watching tutorials, but actually diving into the world of coding. Armed with this newfound determination, I enrolled in CS50’s Introduction to Python Programming during the longer break

CS50’s Introduction to Python Programming proved to be an excellent choice. The course structure was engaging, with a mix of lectures, problem sets, and a final project. One of the most valuable aspects was the vibrant online community. I was able to connect with other students around the world, ask questions, and share my progress. Alongside CS50P I decided to also do CS50’s Introduction to Cybersecurity to learn how to create secure systems and CS50’s Understanding Technology to get a general overview of computer science.

I finished all of those courses, went back to school, and participated in some Computer Science competitions. Those competitions did more than just test my coding skills. I learned to stay calm under pressure, manage my time effectively, and most importantly, how think algorithmically.

Currently, I am doing CS50’s Introduction to Web Programming and it’s just as great as CS50P. So far, I’ve been building my web development toolbox with HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, Sass, Git, and even Django. It’s exciting to see how these pieces fit together to create real-world web applications!

On top of CS50’s Web Programming, I’m also diving into SvelteKit alongside JavaScript. It’s interesting to see a different approach to building web applications, and I’m curious to see how SvelteKit fits into the mix.

The world of computer science is vast and ever-evolving, and I’m excited to keep exploring it with all of you. Until next time, keep learning, keep creating, and keep pushing your boundaries!