Wow, it’s hard to believe I’ve completed my first #100DaysOfCode. For some background, I’ve worked as a software tester for many years and have had some coding experience, namely with Ruby and Java for test automation. I decided it was time to level-up in a big way and Python was my language of choice given its broad footprint. My goals were to explore multiple areas of Python, create good study habits and just get more code under my fingers. I’ve definitely accomplished all that and more. While some study sessions were very painful, it’s the ones where things ‘clicked’ that made it worth the effort. I’m looking forward to the next 100 days where I’ll apply what I’ve learned and take on new challenges, building projects and creating more content here as well.
Below I’ve outlined some tips and tricks and just general thoughts on my recent experience. Maybe you will find something helpful?
- Time Management
- Utilizing the Pomodoro technique was very valuable in increasing my focus.
- Break tasks into small chunks and log estimates to set a more realistic pace.
- There were many days where I would set a goal, only to realize around lunch time that I was nowhere close to where I’d hoped to be. Be honest about what you can realistically accomplish within a given time frame.
- Example: Maybe a coding tutorial is 30-minutes long. You can of course watch the information go by in that time, but to actively code along, take notes and understand the material, it may take three hours!
- I liked to use the first and last few minutes of a Pomodoro to review previous or upcoming study material.
- There were many days where I would set a goal, only to realize around lunch time that I was nowhere close to where I’d hoped to be. Be honest about what you can realistically accomplish within a given time frame.
- Decrease interruptions both internal and external
- Tidy your work area. Keep only what you need in front of you.
- Find good background music.
- For me it’s mostly white noise and ambient stuff.
- I can’t listen to anything with vocals, at all.
- For me it’s mostly white noise and ambient stuff.
- Python Resources
- There are so many great resources out there. The most important thing is to pick a couple that seem to work with your learning style and just go for it. Here are those I used most often.
- Python Study Topics
- ‘Basics’, foundational stuff
- Pandas
- NumPy
- Pytest and Unittest
- GUI modules
- Selenium
- Physical Environment
- dual mice -> get ambidextrous!
- ergo keyboard
- good chair
- laptop & larger external monitor
- Health
- Using the Pomodoro technique helped me to regularly step away from the computer to:
- say Hi to my wife ❤
- hydrate
- stretch
- sketch or play guitar
- Get a 2nd mouse!
- With a little practice you can become at least minimally proficient on your non-dominant hand.
- Use keyboard shortcuts to avoid excessive mousing!
- Get 30 minutes of exercise/day
- Using the Pomodoro technique helped me to regularly step away from the computer to:
- Tools
- For the Browser
- Marinara: Pomodoro® Assistant
- This plugin was crucial to successful time management
- Great breakdown of the approach here!
- Video Speed Controller
- This amazing tool enabled me to get through or to specific tutorial sections
- I would often use the plugin to quickly review content from days prior, getting my brain into learning mode.
- Marinara: Pomodoro® Assistant
- Coding
- Jupyter Notebooks
- I also started using JupyterLab a bit
- IDEs
- Pycharm
- Visual Studio Code
- Jupyter Notebooks
- Github
- Save your work!
- It’s also just good to know version control
- My study notes are currently a mess and will be organized during the next 100 days 🙂
- For the Browser
- Accomplishments
- I finished and/or earned certificates for these courses:
- Bonus Studies
- Adobe CC products
- I’m also very interested in visual design so learned a lot here as well.
- Lightroom – mostly for dog photos
- Premiere Pro – for a gift video I wanted to make
- Illustrator – to play with logo design, dataviz and layout
- I even completed this logo design overview.
- Next Steps!
- Continue on to Round 2 of 100 Days
- Focus areas will be:
- Test Automation
- DataViz
- Scary, but want to learn some Javascript and D3.js
- Focus areas will be:
- Post more frequent updates here!
- Continue on to Round 2 of 100 Days
Well, I hope you got something from this review of my experience. Again, if you’ve not yet participated in #100DaysofCode and have been mulling over the idea, I highly recommend doing so. Thanks for reading and follow my progress on Twitter and here for updates. ~~Jeremy
JeremyPK 