How I learned Git, html, css, ruby, rails

About me

It took me three times before I learned how to code. I gave up twice before because I got discouraged. And this coming from a really smart lawyer with an MBA in finance and a PhD in psychology. In other words: if you EVER feel discouraged as you’re learning to code, don’t let it get to you! Trust me: it is NOT you. Learning to code is complicated. And it takes patience. That’s it. Patience and perseverance. Not smarts.

Why I wanted to learn Git, html, css, ruby, rails

I wanted to learn to code because I knew it would give me freedom. Freedom to code my own projects and freedom from web designers who always seemed to overcharge me and never be available when I needed my website updated. Today? I do it all myself.

How I approached learning Git, html, css, ruby, rails

I struggled for decades. First trying to learn just via books. Then apps. Finally I found the Firehose Project. Great curriculum. Great teachers. And then CodeMentors. It finally hit me: what you need are good mentors. You need someone there to pick you up when you stumble and show you the way.

Challenges I faced

Sheer overwhelming despair, thinking: why am I so stupid?! Why can’t I figure this out?! Trust me: it happens to us all.

Key takeaways

You can’t let your short term frustration incite you to make hasty decisions resulting in your self-esteem being damaged, ultimately resulting in your quitting. KEEP GOING!

Tips and advice

Find good books, yes. Find good apps, yes. Most importantly, find good teachers and mentors to help you get through the darkness and confusion.

Final thoughts and next steps

I am SO a proud that I finally became a coder. I’ve got many websites and RoR projects in the works. Some launched. Some in development. All exciting.

Do I still have mentors? Yes, because there’s always someone better than you and always something that is going to stump you along the way. There’s no shame in asking for help. No, there is embarrassment in not having the humility (and good sense) to ASK for help.

—Monroe Mann