The Struggle with Learning How to Code

I’ve tried to learn how to code many times, but only my latest attempt has been successful. What have I changed in my learning approach to finally master this skill?

I vividly remember the first time I tried to learn how to code. I was used to being a quick learner and expected programming to be easy too. It came as a huge shock that it was incredibly difficult for me. I gave up because I couldn’t deal with how dumb it made me feel. A couple years later I tried again, and again….starting a streak of failing attempts to master this skill.

I’m now on my seventh attempt to learn how to code and this time I’m succeeding. So what has changed? In this talk I will “go meta” and analyse why my six attempts failed and why my seventh attempt succeeded.

This will bring us into many different areas: from stoicism to learning how to learn, to deep psychological beliefs about the self. It will be an incredible (and at times dark) personal story, yet I believe it might be helpful to you (if you’re struggling with this as well, that is!). My hope is that it will give you some ideas to explore and apply in your own journey to learn how to code.


Related Sessions


  • Tutorial
  • Keynote
  • Talk
  • Workshop
  • Combo
  • Bonus
  • Active
  • Social

25-minute Talk

2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Room F3 - Track 3: Talks

25-minute Talk

2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Room F2 - Track 2: Talks

45-minute Keynote

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Room F1+F2+F3 - Plenary

120-minute Workshop

2:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Room D5+D6 - Track 8: Combo Sessions (Talk + Workshop)

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