Success Starts Here: Tips for CodePath Courses
Taking challenging classes in college can be intimidating, but you don’t need to let anxiety creep in while you wait for class to start. What should you do if you’re enrolled in an upcoming course with CodePath? Instead of sitting on your heels wondering what you’ve gotten into, spend some time preparing to complete the course successfully.
First off, congratulate yourself for expanding your horizons with a new pursuit. Calmly going over what lies ahead can give you the confidence to help you get through the first day of class, and can help carry you through to your final project. These challenges will help you grow, but it’s normal to feel overwhelmed when classes push your limits and take you into uncharted territory.
Preparatory Research
Before your class starts, read the syllabus. Look at the topics the course will cover and research them by watching videos or reading more about them. Try to understand the broad ideas of what you will be learning and consider what aspects of the topics you feel will be most challenging. Brush up on your related skills or refresh your memory from prerequisite courses.
As you research the topic, you can look at project demos from previous students online. See what other students have tackled and accomplished to pique your imagination and excitement about the topic. If you know the instructor’s name, look up their bio and previous work to get a feel for their interests and expertise.
Plan Your Schedule
Look at the course schedule and other commitments, and mark your calendar for class times. Also, look at the estimated time commitment for your course and find times in your schedule to complete the work. Plan for a little more time than you need so you don’t feel rushed during your study sessions.
Advice From Alumni
“Understand the importance of sacrifice and short-term adjustments during CodePath courses. It’s a 10-week commitment out of the year, so give it your all to achieve the best results.” – Journei, CodePath student
Planning two or more shorter study sessions—also called spaced repetition—deepens your learning of concepts and helps you form a more lasting memory of the material. This also gives you the time to absorb the ideas more fully and return to your next session with ideas for completing the assignment.
Self-Reflection and Self-Assessment
Think about why you decided to take this course. How does it fit in with your other college courses? What interests you about the topic? Consider your motivations for taking the course and strengthen your resolve to remember why this is important when confronting a particularly challenging week during the course.
Advice From Alumni
“Always keep moving forward even when you're struggling.” -Aaron, CodePath student
Make a plan to check in with yourself during the course to see how you are progressing toward your learning goals. Periodically self-assess your learning during the course to see if your study practices need adjustment to better absorb and participate in the class activities. Consciously evaluating your progress and taking ownership of your learning is a form of self-regulated learning, which has been shown to improve academic performance.
Calm Your Uncertainty
When you take on a new challenge, it is expected to wonder if you will be able to succeed in this new endeavor. You should feel confident that if you have finished the prework and been accepted into a CodePath course, you have what it takes to succeed. If you apply yourself, you can complete the course. CodePath students come from all sorts of backgrounds and all are striving to learn tech skills just like you.
Advice From Alumni
“Everyone is a beginner in different subjects. It's okay to feel lost.” – Emili, CodePath student
Plus, there are many ways to reach out for help if you encounter issues with any assignments. You can go to office hours, ask fellow students, and contact the teaching assistant for help.
Combatting Imposter Syndrome in Software Engineering
Imposter syndrome can appear as persistent doubt about your own abilities or feeling that you don’t deserve to be where you are. These doubts can diminish your mental health and negatively impact your performance. Research has found that imposter syndrome is more prevalent in computer science students than other students. It is also widespread among professional software engineers, with female, Black, and Asian engineers reporting higher-than-average levels of the phenomenon.
To fight off imposter syndrome if it happens to you, first remember that it is common for successful and qualified people to have these feelings. Identify how your self-doubt may be affecting you by causing anxiety or activating your inner critic. List your strengths and focus on learning rather than doing everything perfectly. Recognize that challenging yourself is a sign of your strength. If you notice imposter syndrome is interfering with your coursework, consider talking to a mentor, a friend, or a counselor to help you get perspective and shake off self-doubts.
Remember to Eat, Sleep, and Get Exercise
Eating well, moving your body, and getting enough sleep are the basics of good health, but students often shortchange themselves. This is especially true for busy and ambitious tech students who can forget to eat or stay up too late working on projects. You learn better and your cognition strengthens when you’re well-rested and relaxed. So commit to fueling yourself with good food, getting enough sleep and walking outside as part of your busy schedule.
Conclusion
Feeling prepared before you start your course can help calm the first-day jitters. Checking in with yourself throughout the class can help you stay on track and prompt you to modify your study plans as you discover what’s needed. Staying motivated and focused on what you want to accomplish in the class can help you complete your course and feel satisfied with your accomplishment.