My coding path in year 2020 - reflection
Tags: webdev, beginners, codenewbie, motivation
Published: 2020-12-29 09:01:23

This blog post is not really tech related and it surely is different from other posts I have written. But it would be as interesting as other posts, trust me :)

**Year 2020** is about to end and now is a good time to *summarise everything*:
- to remember your 2020 resolutions;
- to analyse what you have accomplished, achieved, not achieved, still in process etc,;
- to cross out old goals and make new ones;
- to figure out your next steps
- to learn from your mistakes
- to celebrate your small and big wins

For me, 2020 year was *wonderful*. Even though this year of Corona is difficult for the mankind, for me it was a year of *interesting study* and *continuous improvement* on personal and professional level.

Before 2020 I had some knowledge of programming - I graduated from **Coding Academy** as .NET Developer (if you want to know about my previous experience in tech, you're most welcome to read about [here](https://dev.to/olenadrugalya/a-journey-from-stay-at-home-mum-to-front-end-developer-2ch) :) 

Precisely in January 2020 I have decided to give coding second chance and try web development. Why web development? Simply because Im a visual person and I like to see the results of my work right away on the screen :) I started with assignments on [Khan Academy](https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming/html-css) and finished a few courses.

In February 2020 I decided to take a [100DaysOfCode](https://www.100daysofcode.com/) challenge on Twitter and that was the best decision for my career change. I learned so much during lockdowns and still learning.

I wrote down my whole learning path [here](https://olenadrugalya.blog/2020/02/28/100-days-of-code-and-me/) by documenting every day of my study. I spent no less than 1 hour a day for coding (sometimes it was 2 hours) and soon coding became my habit.

## My Goals

My **goals** for 2020 were:
- to get more coding practice and learn new things
- to improve my discipline and set myself up for success
- to build coding habit
- to create a strong portfolio
- to maintain healthy way of life

I achieved ALL of them. I organised them in 3 categories:
1. Targets
2. Goals
3. Tasks

**Targets** were *what* I want to achieve, like Participate in 100daysOfCode.

**Goals** were *what* I  need to do to achieve a target, like Aim to code 1 hour a day.

**Tasks** were very small **steps** I need to do to achieve a goal, like Build a Survey Form from [freeCodeCamp](https://www.freecodecamp.org/certification/olenadrugalya/responsive-web-design). 

For completing of each task or goal or target I set up rewards for myself :) It could be a small reward like a chocolate or a big one like dinner at restaurant or new gadget. For me this system worked like a charm and you can read below what I have achieved.

## My achievements 
 
NOTE: I will repeat once again that I have spent only **1 hour a day** for coding.

### Coding
1. [Responsive Web Design Certificate](https://www.freecodecamp.org/certification/olenadrugalya/responsive-web-design) from freeCodeCamp + 5 web pages made during study
2. [JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures Certificate](https://www.freecodecamp.org/certification/olenadrugalya/javascript-algorithms-and-data-structures) from freeCodeCamp + 20 solved challenges during the study
3. [WordPress Portfolio](https://olenadrugalya.blog/) with my experience, projects, CV and blogs
4. [GitHub repositories](https://github.com/HelenDrug?tab=repositories) - 16 (I had 2 before I started my journey)
5. [FrontEnd Mentor](https://www.frontendmentor.io/profile/HelenDrug/solutions) challenges - 4 webpages
6. Webpages to practice CSS - 4 webpages
7. Intro to [React](https://reactjs.org/) library and projects based on tutorials and my own ideas:

- Author Quiz
- ToDo app
- Pet Doctor
- Shopping Cart
- Random Quote Machine
- Test Report
- Build-O-Pizza (in progress)
All of these projects you can find on my [GitHub](https://github.com/HelenDrug?tab=repositories) page.

8.CSS libraries - Bootstrap, SASS, Tailwind 

### Blogging
1. [100 Days of code and me] (https://olenadrugalya.blog/2020/02/28/100-days-of-code-and-me/) - first blog on my Portfolio page
2. 18 posts on blogging platform [Dev.to](https://dev.to/olenadrugalya) + 3 badges
3. 12 posts on blogging platform [Hashnode.com](https://hashnode.com/@Olena) - mainly reposting

### Fitness
1. Started with gym and exercised no less than 2 times a week for 9 month (from September we have moved to Berlin and 2nd lockdown started )
2. Lost 9 kilo - combined result from fitness, healthy nutrition, sleep and walks

As you read, for me this year was a blast! I hope next year would be as productive as 2020 :) And Im looking forward to read about your 2020 reflection!

Thank you for reading my blog. Feel free to connect on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/olenadrugalya/) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/OlenaDrugalya) :)

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