How to teach yourself to code

Mike Thomas
Mike Thomas

Over the past four years of learning web development, I’ve picked up several crucial lessons. While I had experimented with platforms like WordPress for years prior, I didn’t take coding seriously until recently. Through a lot of trial and error, I’ve figured out what actually works and what doesn’t.

If you are just starting your web development journey, here are five essential tips to help you succeed.

1. Take a Project-Based Approach

Learning just for the sake of learning rarely sticks. The most effective way to learn web development is through a project-based approach.

Build a website for a friend, create something for a local charity, or develop a project around a personal passion. For example, if you love coffee, try building a web application for coffee enthusiasts. A project like this requires setting up a database, capturing user data, and building interfaces, which gives you highly practical, hands-on experience. When there is a real-world application for what you are building, you tend to retain the information much better.

Inevitably, you will hit roadblocks. You might not know what function or library you need. This forces you to navigate forums, ask questions, and become highly proficient at searching for solutions. Solving these problems yourself builds the confidence needed to tackle the next bug, resulting in a much deeper understanding of the code.

2. Find an Instructor Who Fits Your Style

When utilizing video tutorials and learning platforms, try to find an instructor whose teaching style actually resonates with you.

If you aren’t connecting with a teacher, it might be their pacing, their tone of voice, or how they explain complex topics. Some instructors can feel a bit forced or too polished, while others are more laid-back and relatable.

Don’t be afraid to mix your sources. A combination of formal platforms, casual YouTube videos, and written blog posts will give you a well-rounded perspective and help you find the educators who make the material click for you.

3. Understand Your Learning Style (And Don’t Ignore Books)

It helps to know how you absorb information best. While video tutorials are the go-to for many modern developers, physical books remain incredibly valuable.

Physical coding books encourage you to slow down and take your time. They are easy to read away from the screen, allowing you to focus deeply without digital distractions. You can take them anywhere—on the train, outside, or wherever you feel most focused.

However, it is also highly beneficial to have the digital PDF version of your book. When you encounter code challenges that you need to type into your editor, a digital copy is much easier to reference than trying to keep a physical book propped open on your desk. Combining a physical copy for deep reading and a PDF for practical coding is an excellent strategy.

4. Code Every Single Day

Consistency is key. The “stop-start” cycle—coding for three days and then taking a week off—is highly inefficient. When you finally return to your project, you waste valuable time just trying to remember where you left off.

When you practice a craft daily, you experience the compound effect. By engaging with the material every single day, you naturally shift your focus away from the distant end goal (like landing a job) and begin to appreciate the learning process itself. You start to enjoy the feeling of progress and competence. A real depth and sensitivity to the craft develops when you commit to daily practice.

5. Practice Patience

It is easy to look at talented, experienced developers and feel frustrated by your own current skill level. When starting out, it is incredibly common to sit down with a blank screen and feel overwhelmed by the gap between the ideas in your head and the skills you currently possess.

When you feel like everyone is ahead of you, slow down. Take your time and focus only on the step immediately in front of you. You cannot skip to the end. Once you complete the task at hand, the next stepping stone will naturally present itself. Trust the process, take it one step at a time, and focus on your own incremental progress.

If you are looking for a structured place to start learning, platforms like Team Treehouse offer comprehensive tracks covering everything from basic HTML and CSS to full-stack JavaScript, Python, and iOS development. They also offer “Techdegrees,” which are a great, self-paced alternative to traditional coding bootcamps.

Additionally, consider documenting your learning journey on a personal blog or portfolio. It is a fantastic way to hold yourself accountable and track your progress over time.