Computer programmers are so much in demand now; the Internet is constantly evolving and expanding, Businesses and individuals are trying to reach a large spectrum of people. Hence, the need for websites and applications. There are so many people seeking to explore the internet for several reasons, the demand for programmers keeps increasing over time, therefore if you are currently on the journey of becoming a computer programmer or you intend to commence on that journey you are on the right track. In this article, I will be showing you some of the things you need to know in other to thrive as a computer programmer.

Choose A Path

It’s usually rare to see a beginner who has a clearly defined path, and understands exactly how to go about their programming journey, and those who seem to have a defined path are often easily distracted. Today they are learning a particular technology; tomorrow they want to learn another, the next day they want to move to another technology. Truth is; to learn to program; you must choose a path and stay through until you can apply what you’ve learned in solving problems. It’s not just about how many technologies you know, it is about how much of it you can apply. Usually, when you understand a Language enough, understanding another language becomes easier.

Make Up Your Mind And Be consistent

You’ve often heard that nothing good comes easy; this is also true for computer programming. Learning computer programming requires courage and tenacity you have to make up your mind to never give up, and approach your learning as though your life depends on it. A major secret to learning computer programming is to stay consistent and commit yourself to it. You don't have to code all day, with just 2 hours of daily practice you can achieve much in a short while.

Get A Mentor

One of the fastest ways to actually get better at any endeavor in life is to seek people who are currently doing what you want to do and follow in their footsteps. Whether or not you're just starting out I would encourage you to seek out people who are already in the programming field and allow them mentor you, by so doing you will be able to learn from them; they will literally take you by the hand and show you what works. Another benefit of having a Mentor is for accountability's sake, in your programming journey there will be moments when you will feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and entirely stressed out, at times like this having a mentor comes in handy. Having somebody to talk to has a way of lifting our spirits because we begin to realize that people have and are still going through what we are currently going through. The benefits of having a mentor cannot be overemphasized, but one thing you must realize is that a Mentor is not your friend, a mentor will of cause be friendly, but that does not make them your friend, sometimes they may scrutinize you or reprimand you, regardless, ensure to humble yourself learn and learn as much as you can.

You Will Never Know Enough

In the field of computer programming learning is continuous. The day you begin to feel like there is nothing more to learn, is the day you start failing. You must diligently commit yourself to daily growth. Decide to learn something new every day, it doesn’t have to be hard or easy, but it should be and must be relevant.

Build Projects

One of the most proven ways of actually learning computer programming is building projects alongside every new concept you learn. One question you should always ask yourself is; how can I apply this in a real-life situation? It's not enough to keep watching videos, reading articles, and all the other stuff. One major thing you should do while doing these is to make sure that you build projects alongside.

Creating projects helps you relate better with the concept you've learned as well as helps you keep those things or retain those things you've learned.

Be Imaginative

Programming is all about creatively proffering solutions to problems. While learning to code, it is important you picture yourself as a problem solver and imagine yourself solving problems with the skill you intend to acquire. Intentionally engage problems, regardless of how small they might be. The world is in need of problem solvers, and your ability to solve problems will contribute a great deal to your success as a computer programmer

Connect With Other Programmers

It is extremely important to connect with other programmers, do not attempt to be a Lone Ranger. In your journey, you will need people of the same mind, people who are in the same field, people who Think Alike, and people who do the same thing you do on daily basis. Connecting with other programmers will help you expand your network, when you connect with other programmers you learn from their experience and you get exposure to some Concepts, tips, and guidance.

I really hope you got some value from this article. If you did, please share with others so as to help them in their journey. I will soon be dropping part two of this series. I wish you the best in your coding endeavor, remember to stay consistent and practice often. There is nothing you can’t achieve