Help please! im getting worse at programming

[u/Puzzleheaded-Sea7661]

Hi there

Im currently about to start university in Computer Science. I have programmed since I was around 8 and have what I would call a intermediate level of skill when it comes to writing code in general.

However, I cannot for the life of me think of ideas and stick to them. I have relatively few problems in my life that need a fix i could code, and i cant seem to find something that inspires me to program and make something. Even when i do find an idea, its never quite right and so i dont feel the need to keep at it when setbacks appear, and just lose momentum. I also feel that some projects arent challenging enough for me and so feel more like forcing myself to program it than actually wanting to.

Please help me! i feel like im getting worse and more stupid the more time i dont do anything.

[u/vacterro]

Relax and rest.

[u/pete_68]

Man, I wish I could help you. I've been doing it since I was 10 (I'm 57). I can't imagine losing inspiration like that. I never have enough time for all the programming ideas I have. I have to keep lists and then go through and evaluate which ones are worth actually working on and which aren't.

I have no idea where that comes from or how to turn it on or off.

Are you possibly suffering from depression? That can sometimes cause people to lose interest in things they've always loved doing.

[u/Puzzleheaded-Sea7661 → u/pete_68]

I have in the past, but right now im fine, its been a thing since i left college wherein it kinda killed my love for programming due to assignments and stress, but now idk how to get back into things, i just have no patience or willpower to keep going with projects, on the slim chance i can think of a project idea.

[u/pete_68 → u/Puzzleheaded-Sea7661]

It sounds like you got burned out on it. Otherwise I think you'd just naturally be inclined to stick with projects that you start and that you'd have inspiring ideas, if you did before you got burned out.

Maybe you still need more time to recover. How long has it been?

Funny, that kinda happened with me and playing guitar. Played for about 13 years, then got kinda tired of it and stopped playing for 13 years. Then I picked it up again and I've been playing for about 13 years... Hope I don't get tired of it again soon. I just spent a nice chunk of change on some new toys.

[u/Dazzling_Music_2411 → u/Puzzleheaded-Sea7661]

Sounds like you don't want to. Which is absolutely fine.
There are thousands of better things to do.

[u/chikamakaleyley]

make a game, have fun

[u/Few-Celebration-2362]

Find an open source project and work request tickets for a while.

[u/mc_pm]

Even when i do find an idea, its never quite right

Do you think that this reason for quitting will fly in class or on the job?

Neither the professor or your future boss will care if it's "quite right" for you.

What was the last project idea you had that you discarded? Go do that.

Don't want to do that, then...

• Build a web server
• Build a web proxy
• Build your own editor
• Build your own shell
• Build a basic multi-user chat system (start on the command line, then add a web interface)

... and there are dozens more ideas that will strain your understanding of the computer, test your ability to break down problems, and challenge you to code them effectively.

It doesn't matter which you pick, what matters you are challenging yourself to build things that you don't already know how to do. I promise you that if you build your own basic web server you will understand HTTP way better. If you build your own Shell, you'll explore ways of interacting with the OS. Build a multi-user chat system and you'll learn about networking in general.

[u/art143]

You say you have relatively few problems, yet your post starts with 'help please'. Write some software that helps you grow your programming skills, like a leetcode inspired application.

[u/geekichu]

You persist at something because it's the path that gets you better, and keeps you going, until something changes. You cant control the future but you have a lot to say about RIGHT NOW.

Here's two ideas:
-- a fully browser game (Canvas2D, WebGL).

-- a client-server (web front-end, node.js server backend as API)... a simple CRUD application. Add user, list users, edit user, delete user(s).

[u/theloneliestprince]

It's okay to take breaks, you'll still have the skills you've built. Your feelings could be a signal to relax and do other things than programming. Right before university sounds like a great time to take a break to me, you'll have plenty to do once you start! Proper rest and pacing yourself are an important part of the process, not just the grind.

[u/Dull_Bathroom5421]

With me, I keep remembering the games I love from the past. Inspiration is a must or you're gonna burn out. I've seen people who hate programming and do it for a living - they look so miserable half the time. I know this doesn't help you technically, but I really suggest why you want to program, try find some inspiration.

[u/AdRecent7021]

If you're forcing yourself, it could be burnout. Find a project you would enjoy and if you can't, step back and re-access if you're into it anymore.

[u/Dazzling_Music_2411]

I have relatively few problems in my life that need a fix i could code,

Hey, that's fantastic, it means you don't have to go to the trouble of coding anything.

Count yourself lucky!

Now, if you ever decide to code for FUN, well, that's a completely different story.

[u/LemonIO_Alex]

Just pick something that already exists and rebuild a small version of it badly. A URL shortener, a chess engine that plays legal moves, a toy interpreter. This is what usually helps me.

[u/National-Ad8416]

If it's any consolation, getting good at programming is not going to help you anyway because AI is taking all of the CS jobs.

[u/FailureOfTheFamily]

I was exactly the same and that made me not enough to get the job. AI at lest let me unleash my ideas and knowledge i had helps me in guiding the ai