A Look Back at 2024: How I’ve Grown as a Developer
As I reflect on the whirlwind year that 2024 has been, it’s hard not to feel both proud and excited. I started this year with limited coding experience, juggling full-time work while immersing myself in the world of front-end development. From building my first React app to mastering JavaScript fundamentals, this year has been a crash course in determination, discipline, and sheer grit.
But now, as we approach the final quarter of the year, I find myself asking: what’s next? How can I challenge myself even more and continue evolving as a coder? That’s where the next steps in my journey come in.
My learning goals for the rest of 2024 will focus heavily on Harvard University’s CS50 course—a comprehensive, beginner-friendly computer science curriculum that I’m thrilled to dive into. But that’s just the start! I’ll also be focusing on refining my skills in JavaScript, preparing for job interviews, and continuing my personal growth. Let’s break it all down.
The Big Step Forward: Starting Harvard’s CS50 Course
If you’ve been following my blog, you know I’ve spent most of this year honing my front-end development skills. However, as I’ve started building more projects, I realized I need a deeper understanding of computer science fundamentals. Enter Harvard’s CS50 course—a rigorous, 11-week curriculum that covers everything from algorithms to web development, data structures, and low-level programming.
Why CS50?
One of the main reasons I chose to enroll in CS50 is its reputation. It’s known to be one of the most respected computer science courses in the world, and it’s accessible to beginners like me who are eager to expand their knowledge beyond just HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
The course covers a wide range of topics that will help me develop a solid understanding of how computers work and how to solve more complex problems using code. Here’s a snapshot of the main areas that CS50 will help me with:
- Algorithms: Learning to break down problems and approach them with efficient solutions.
- Data Structures: Understanding how to store, organize, and manipulate data—essential for any developer.
- Low-level Programming: While I’ve been working primarily in higher-level languages like JavaScript, CS50 introduces C and dives deep into memory management and low-level operations. It’s something completely new to me, and I’m eager to learn how it all works under the hood.
- Web Development: While I already have experience with front-end development, CS50 includes modules on both the front end and back end, which will allow me to gain a more holistic view of web development.
What Will the CS50 Course Look Like for Me?
The CS50 course is designed to be completed in 11 weeks. The plan is for me to dedicate roughly 10-15 hours per week to go through the material, complete the problem sets, and eventually build a final project. Here’s a breakdown of how I’ll approach the course:
- Weeks 1-3: Focus on the basics of C programming and computational thinking. This is where I’ll really learn how to solve problems by designing efficient algorithms and writing clean code.
- Weeks 4-6: Explore data structures and dive deeper into how computers store and manage information. Topics like hash tables, linked lists, and trees will be introduced.
- Weeks 7-9: Shift focus to web programming, where I’ll combine the theoretical knowledge of data structures and algorithms with hands-on coding in Python and JavaScript to build web applications.
- Weeks 10-11: Work on a final project that brings together everything I’ve learned over the course. I plan to design and develop a unique web application, which I’ll showcase on my portfolio.
This journey with CS50 will not only deepen my coding skills but also build my problem-solving abilities, which are essential for tackling real-world challenges.
My Personal Growth: Beyond Technical Skills
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned this year is the importance of balancing personal growth with technical development. It’s easy to get lost in lines of code, but coding is as much about your mindset as it is about your skillset.
I’ve faced challenges that have tested my patience and resilience—especially during my full-time job. In my post about balancing work and coding, I discussed how crucial it is to develop discipline and prioritize tasks to keep progressing. Going forward, I’m working on maintaining that balance. I’ll be continuing to:
- Manage time effectively: Coding can be an all-consuming activity, so I’m learning to set boundaries. I’m now breaking up my day into dedicated blocks of time for coding, rest, and personal activities.
- Stay mentally refreshed: This year, I’ve started practicing mindfulness techniques to help clear my head after long coding sessions. This practice has been a game-changer in maintaining motivation and staying focused.
Learning JavaScript at a Deeper Level
Even though CS50 will take up a big chunk of my study time, I don’t want to lose sight of my goal to master JavaScript. As a front-end developer, JavaScript is my bread and butter, and there’s always something new to learn.
In the rest of 2024, I plan to dive deeper into JavaScript’s advanced concepts, like asynchronous programming with promises and async/await. I also want to get more comfortable with JavaScript testing frameworks, such as Jest, to improve my code’s reliability.
Here’s a quick list of the specific JavaScript topics I’ll be focusing on:
- Promises and Async/Await: Handling asynchronous operations more elegantly.
- JavaScript Testing: Using Jest to write unit tests and ensure my code works as expected.
- Functional Programming: Understanding higher-order functions and how to write cleaner, more reusable code.
As I’ve mentioned in a previous post about JavaScript, learning this language has been both exciting and challenging, and I’m eager to continue mastering its more advanced concepts.
FAQ: What’s the Time Commitment for CS50?
Q: How much time do you need to dedicate to CS50?
A: CS50 is designed to be completed in 11 weeks, but since it’s a self-paced course, I have the flexibility to go at my own speed. I plan to dedicate 10-15 hours per week to studying the material and working on the problem sets. The course is intense, especially the problem sets, which are known for pushing students to think critically and apply their knowledge in unique ways.
Q: Is CS50 suitable for beginners?
A: Yes! CS50 starts with the basics, so you don’t need any prior programming experience. However, the pace is fast, and the content gets increasingly challenging as the course progresses. It’s perfect for those who want to build a strong foundation in computer science and problem-solving.
Career Goals for 2025: Preparing for My First Developer Job
While CS50 and JavaScript mastery will be the bulk of my learning for the rest of the year, I’m also preparing for the next big step in my coding journey—getting my first job as a front-end developer. This means not only refining my technical skills but also focusing on:
- Portfolio Building: By the end of 2024, my goal is to have a portfolio that showcases the range of skills I’ve developed throughout the year. This includes projects I’ve built with JavaScript, React, and my final CS50 project.
- Interview Prep: In addition to working on technical skills, I’ll be studying for front-end developer interviews. I plan to practice algorithm problems using platforms like LeetCode and study behavioral interview questions.
- Networking: I’ve been making an effort to connect with other developers through social media and coding communities. Building a strong network will help me stay motivated and learn from others in the field.
How I’ve Grown Since I First Started Coding
Back in December 2023, I was at a crossroads. After being retrenched and working long hours in a job that didn’t align with my passions, I decided to take a leap of faith and start learning to code. Little did I know how much this decision would change my life. In my post about how coding transformed my career prospects, I talk about how I shifted from uncertainty to confidence.
The first few months were tough. Balancing coding and a full-time job required immense dedication, but I quickly realized that this was something I wanted to pursue long-term. Each new concept I learned—whether it was JavaScript basics or building my first web app—felt like a small victory. I learned the value of perseverance, and that’s a lesson I’ll carry with me as I tackle the challenges of CS50 and beyond.
What About You? What’s the Next Step in Your Coding Journey?
I’d love to hear from you! What are you focusing on for the rest of this year? Whether you’re just starting out or working on more advanced projects, let me know what your goals are in the comments below. Let’s keep each other motivated!
Let’s connect!
If you want to follow my journey, be sure to subscribe to my blog for updates, insights, and plenty of coding tips! Let’s grow together on the road to becoming front-end developers. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn, or GitHub to stay in touch.
