Last updated on Mar 22, 2024

You’re struggling to keep up with the latest coding techniques. How can you get back on track?

As a software engineer, you know that coding is a dynamic and evolving field. New frameworks, languages, tools, and best practices emerge every day, and keeping up with them can be challenging. You may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or even outdated by the rapid changes in the industry. How can you get back on track and improve your coding skills? Here are some tips to help you out.

1 Assess your skills

The first step is to identify your strengths and weaknesses as a coder. What are the areas that you are confident and proficient in? What are the gaps or pain points that you need to work on? You can use online quizzes, tests, or self-assessments to evaluate your current level of knowledge and skills. Alternatively, you can ask for feedback from your peers, mentors, or managers. Be honest and realistic about your skill assessment, and use it as a baseline for your improvement plan.

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2 Set your goals

The next step is to define your learning goals and priorities. What are the specific coding techniques that you want to learn or improve on? How do they align with your career aspirations, interests, or projects? How will they benefit you and your organization? You can use the SMART framework to set your goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, you can say "I want to learn React.js and create a web app using it in three months" instead of "I want to learn web development".

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3 Find your resources

The third step is to find the best learning resources for your goals. There are plenty of options available online, such as courses, tutorials, books, podcasts, blogs, newsletters, videos, and more. You can also join online communities, forums, or groups where you can interact with other learners and experts. Choose the resources that suit your learning style, budget, and schedule. You can also mix and match different formats and sources to diversify your learning experience.

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Amitesh Sinha

Human Centered Software Engineer
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There are a plethora of resources available. Choose what works best for you. I like video tutorials, but it can be passive learning if you are not coding along. It is essential to be consistent. Recently, I have started using educative.io because it is completely text-based. It forces me to engage with the material actively, has a streak system which compels me to keep going, and there are inline code blocks that you can execute. I like the latter feature because I don't need to worry about setting up, and I can immediately test my learning. They also have quizzes and exercises after every module. I have found this approach works best for me, but do whatever floats your boat as long as you feel you are sailing in the right direction.

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4 Practice your skills

The fourth step is to practice your coding skills regularly and consistently. The best way to learn is by doing, so you should apply what you learn to real or simulated projects. You can use online platforms, such as Codecademy, HackerRank, or LeetCode, to practice coding challenges and problems. You can also participate in hackathons, competitions, or open source projects to collaborate with other coders and showcase your work. Practice makes perfect, so don't be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them.

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Syed Syab Ahmad

Junior Machine Learning Engineer | Generative AI | Bioinformatics Researcher | Python, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow | Unlocking biological insights using Machine Learning.
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Practicing skills is crucial, along with staying updated on the latest technologies. Embracing new technologies and continually learning them are essential steps toward gaining recognition and staying relevant.

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5 Review your progress

The fifth step is to review your progress and adjust your plan accordingly. You should track your learning activities, outcomes, and feedback. You can use tools, such as GitHub, Google Sheets, or Trello, to document your work and achievements. You should also seek feedback from others, such as mentors, peers, or clients, to validate your results and identify areas for improvement. You should celebrate your successes and reward yourself for your efforts. You should also revise your goals and resources if needed.

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6 Keep learning

The final step is to keep learning and stay curious. Coding is a lifelong journey, and there is always something new to discover and master. You should keep yourself updated with the latest trends, technologies, and techniques in the industry. You should also explore new domains, topics, or challenges that interest you or challenge you. You should never stop learning and growing as a coder.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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You’re struggling to keep up with the latest coding techniques. How can you get back on track?

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1 Assess your skills

2 Set your goals

3 Find your resources

4 Practice your skills

5 Review your progress

6 Keep learning

7 Here’s what else to consider

Software Engineering

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