How it all Started...
Tags: javascript, beginners, programming, webdev
Published: 2021-10-13 13:09:18

Hello, my name is Dare Netufo.

Today, I'd want to share my tale with you. The narrative of how I wrote my first Hello World program and how I progressed from there.

I hope you find it entertaining.

Growing up, I had a keen interest in computers and programming. So, after finishing high school, I immediately enroll in a computer school to learn about computer hardware. Then I learned how to connect and set up a computer. It was an amazing experience because I was able to execute it right in just a few days. 
 
Following that, I learned about Computer Networking, which was beneficial. I really wanted to study more, but I didn't have any money. My parent's main concern was getting accepted into university. My ambition was to study Computer Science, but despite two efforts, I was unable to pass the POST JAMB. Fortunately and unfortunately for me, I got admitted on my last attempt, but not to the course of my choice, but to Animal Science, which is completely different from what I am passionate about. I had no choice but to accept the offer because I had already spent three years at home.

So, as I progressed through university, my motivation to study programming waned, and all that mattered to me was finishing with excellent grades and hoping for a better life.

As the adage goes, "Life isn't a bed of roses," and all of my aspirations and objectives of living a good life when I graduated from high school did not pan out as I had hoped. Because a few months after I started my first job as a factory worker in a plastic company, the factory's staff was cut, and I was one of those affected.

After a few weeks, I decided to continue my studies and seek a profession in education, so I enrolled in the University of Ibadan's Masters Program. Everything was going well, but after a few months, I had to withdraw out of the program due to a personal issue that had a negative impact on my academic performance because I was unable to keep up with my studies.

## How I Switched...

I met a friend, Odeyinka Ganiyu, who switched careers to technology when things became tough, and we talked for hours about how he got started and how far he's come. He told me about a school (Grazac Academy) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, that trains persons with a passion for technology. He advised me to conduct my own study about Frontend Developer and everything else we discussed.
Now that I'm 30 and have a lot of debts to pay, it seems impossible to switch careers into tech without having the necessary knowledge.
I took it on, did my research, and began learning on my own using [w3schools](w3schools.com) before the Academy's program began. 

## At the Academy

Thanks to my great friend, I'm able to register and resume my studies at the Academy. I was getting the HTML and CSS at first, but when we got to Javascript, everything came to a halt. I couldn't understand anything, but thanks to my instructor, Mr Mayowa Dabiri, who informed me that it's normal when you're first learning something, but that with time, perseverance, and consistency, it will finally sink in. So I didn't give up and kept learning by watching YouTube lessons and reading articles on a daily basis.

I started learning React while still studying Javascript. Challenges have been given to test our ability in how we are progressing in the courses we have been thought during my course of learning. To be honest, I'm always the last person to complete the challenge because it's difficult for me to balance working for a living with coding. Some of the challenges I don't even complete.

## Writing Bad Code

I've never had any code that I didn't want to rewrite. It could be a day or a week, but I've always found more effective ways to communicate my thoughts. You'll wonder how you could have written such convoluted code before as you master new concepts.

Don't allow perfectionism get in the way of your success. Everything you write has the potential to be bettered, and it will one day become a legacy.

It's a sign of progress if you don't like your previous work. It signifies you've noticed patterns you didn't know existed before. It implies that you have improved your problem-solving skills. In fact, not identifying flaws with your past work could indicate that you've reached a stalemate.
Painters don't make a drawing in one sitting; they start with shapes, then add details, erase, and repeat. Good writing comes across as natural, but that's only because it's been through several revisions.
Your code will not be perfect right away. Continue to rewrite.


## Am I There Yet?

Let's move on. After 5 months of learning and spending the most of my evenings researching, I graduated as a frontend web developer, excited to begin my first job. I currently spend the most of my days immersed in my coding projects and reading blogs written by incredible developers who are constantly learning and improving.

I'm well aware that I still have a long way to go, but I'm grateful to my instructors and the friends I've made along the way for reminding me that the adventure is far from done.

## To those Just Starting

Whatever occurs, resist the temptation to grow cynical. It takes a long time and is not easy, but it is well worth the effort. You'll gain a lot of knowledge, meet amazing people, and help shape the future. What more could you possibly want?