A new year, a new chance to get something done. There are so many reasons why you didn’t learn to code in 2018 — and we get that. It happens! Life comes at you fast, after all. Your ambition early in the year can slowly fade as new priorities need your undivided attention. But, it’s 2019 and we think you should take advantage of the fresh start. Instead of talking yourself out of learning to code, we’re here to tell you that the reasons you tell yourself it’s not time to learn to code are not true. Every reason below is, in our humble opinion, not a good reason at all.
1. “I’m not ready”
Let’s get this out of the way. There’s no “ideal” time to learn to code. Planets and stars don’t need to align for you to learn code. If you want to do it, you are ready. Oh, an by the way: Flatiron School provides free Coding Bootcamp Prep and Data Science Bootcamp Prep. You’ll get to experience what it’s like to learn to code with over 75 hours of free lessons.
2. “Because I want to have a social life”
Dinner reservations. The new “Avengers” movie. Or, a casual hang with friends. You have a busy social calendar. Well, our Online Software Engineering Immersive and Online Data Science Immersive can fit right in. These career-change programs are flexible enough to work around even the busiest schedule.
3. “Bootcamps are too intense”
Bootcamps are rigorous, not intense. They’re hard but they’re not impossible. You’re never alone at Flatiron School, and we have built-in support to make sure you have help whenever you need it. There’s also a great community of students and peers eager to help you on your coding journey!
4. “I don’t know what to do after I learn code”
What about a new career as a software engineer or data scientist? Companies across all industries are looking for tech talent, which is a great reason to learn code. Even if you don’t want a new career, those coding skills can make you an invaluable employee within your current company and industry.
5. “I’m too busy”
We have had many alumni who were working part-time jobs, or even being full-time moms, learn to code. They did it through hard work and effective time management. If you want to do something, take the time to see how everything fits. Go ahead and sleep in on a Sunday, you earned it.
6. “I might get a raise at my current job”
It’s easy to hold off on doing something new as we wait for good news to come our way. You can hold out hope that your job will change for the better. Or, you could make that change happen yourself. It can be scary to try something new, but it can be incredibly rewarding as well!
7. “Learning to code is too hard”
You don’t need an advanced degree or previous technical knowledge to learn to code. Even if you weren’t great at math, you can still learn a programming language. We’ve had trained opera singers, professional athletes, lawyers, and so many more become software engineers.Give it a try and you’ll quickly see that learning to code can be fun.
8. “I forgot to include it as part of my New Year’s Resolutions”
Even if you wrote the list in pen, there’s always room for one more resolution. Learning to code can be as beneficial to your health as going to the gym or eating healthier. A new career, new skills, or a supportive community can be yours through code.
9. “Because I’m not sure if it’s really worth the investment”
Time and money are huge factors in any decision. But, we do have 19 pretty great reasons to learn code in 2019. You’ll commit time, and some resources, learning to code and it will pay off. Even if you don’t apply them directly, learning to code can change how you think and that’s a solid investment.
10. “Something came up”
Been there, done that. Something will always come up if you let it happen. In 2019, you have the power to change things. Don’t let an impromptu plan get in the way of doing something great for yourself.
11. “I don’t know what programming language to learn”
Do you have a specific job in mind? What do you find interesting about code? Answering these questions can help you determine what programming language to learn. If you want to build websites and everything the user interacts with, then learn HTML, JavaScript and CSS. If you want to create models and work with big data, for example, try Python.
12. “There are too many conflicting reviews”
Not all bootcamps, or coding courses, are created equal. But, there is a way to navigate those reviews. First, determine what you personally need to learn code. It could be a support system, a flexible schedule, or an in-person experience. Next, use SwitchUp and Course Report for trusted student reviews to see bootcamps and courses fit your needs.
13. “What if I don’t like it?”
You won’t know if you don’t try. Also, what if you don’t like it? Worst case, you spent a few hours trying something new. That’s still worth something and you should feel proud for venturing out of your comfort zone.
14. “I just can’t even”
We can all relate to a time when everything just seemed so…difficult. Yet, we’ve all found the strength to continue forward. You can find the energy to learn something new. Remember why you wanted to learn to code and you’ll find that energy.
15. “I don’t have the talent to become a software engineer/data scientist”
This is a big fear for many prospective students. It can seem daunting and overly technical. However, anyone can learn code and become a software engineer or data scientist. You can do it and, even if it’s a struggle, you’ll get the immense satisfaction of overcoming a seemingly insurmountable obstacle.
16. “What will I really get out of it?”
As we mentioned before, there are a lot of things to get out of learning code. You can start a new, lucrative career, join a great community, gain new insights into yourself, learn new skills, shape the tech landscape, and so much more.
17. “I’m too old”
You’re never too old to learn something new even if you haven’t been to school in years. A good coding course should be accessible and should work hard to make sure the student is actually learning code.
18. “I don’t want to go back to school”
You don’t have to! Bootcamps are very different from high school and college. There won’t be any awkwardness or fear about leaving home for the first time. The students are older, wiser, and want to be there. That’s pretty different from the last time you were in school.
19. “Hulu is now streaming all 13,000+ episodes of ‘Days of Our Lives’”
OK, that’s not true, but wouldn’t it be great if it was? There will always be distractions or a fun diversion that can take you away from your goals. Don’t let that happen, even if a long-running soap opera is now available to binge.
20. “I can always do it next year”
That’s true. There’s also the year after that and the year after that. There are countless years ahead where you could, theoretically, learn to code. But, why wait? Make 2019 the year you change things for yourself. Your 2020 self will thank you.Flatiron School has been helping people change their lives through code since 2012 and many students had the same doubts you had about learning code. Learning to code can be so rewarding once you get past that initial fear. We encourage everyone to take a chance on themselves and learn code in 2019.
