Struggling with Learning JavaScript? Overcome Frustration with These Helpful Tips

I had the exact same thoughts.

When I first started learning JavaScript, it felt like a lot to handle. There was so much information out there, and I didn't know how to put it all together. Feeling frustrated and overwhelmed is completely normal when you're trying to learn something new.

To help with those feelings, I will share some tips and strategies that you can use in your journey.

1. Embrace Stepping Beyond Your Comfort Zone

Learning JavaScript is tough, and it's okay to feel frustrated. It means you're challenging yourself and growing as a result.

2. Be realistic about your goals

One really big pitfall in learning JavaScript is having unrealistic expectations. Why is this?

Well, when you feel frustrated, it’s often because your expectations don’t match up with reality.

If you’re jumping into learning JavaScript, thinking that you will go from complete newbie to professional developer in 6 weeks or 12 weeks, you may be setting yourself up for failure.

I’m not saying that it’s impossible to land a job after learning for a couple of months, but it’s really, really hard.

Personally, I think it may take you more than 1-2 years to get good enough at JS to apply for and land jobs. Of course, a lot depends on your own circumstances. If you are working part or full-time, or you have children, you will have less time than someone who is in high school or doesn’t have to work at the moment.

It also depends on how fast you learn, and pick up new concepts. This is simply something that varies from person to person.

Ultimately, just know that everyone moves at their own pace. Try to gauge how your progress is going and don’t set up yourself for failure by having unrealistic expectations.

3. Find support from learning communities

Another common struggle for people learning JS is that they feel alone.

When you’re learning in a physical classroom, you have fellow students who are doing the same thing as you. And you have a teacher that you can talk with and ask questions about the material.

If you’re learning coding online or with books, you often don’t have that luxury.

Finding peers and mentors can be very difficult, but there are some resources online that you can take advantage of. If you haven’t found any coding communities yet, I highly recommend that you take some time to look into them.

Being part of a community can really help with that feeling that you’re alone.

Reading about other people with similar experiences, who may be struggling with the same issues that you are, can be hugely encouraging and motivating.

Here are a few suggestions for places where you can find peers and/or mentors for JS:

• Instagram: There are a lot of developers on Instagram, of every skill level. While it’s not exactly the place to ask for help on coding questions, it’s an amazing place where you can see what other coders are working on or struggling with. I’ve personally really liked it because I feel like I’m part of a greater community of coders worldwide.

• FreeCodeCamp: It’s not only an online full-stack bootcamp, but also has a very helpful message board and Facebook groups that can help out their students.

• r/learnjavascript: A vibrant subreddit for JS developers where you can find discussions, articles, and get support for your questions.

4. Don’t compare yourself to others

As you start getting more involved in the coding community, please try to remember not to compare yourself to other coders.

Obviously, it’s impossible to not see what other people are doing or accomplishing. But try (as much as possible) to not feel like you have to keep up with everyone else.

It’s not bad to see the drive that others have in their own journey and to transfer some of that energy and excitement to your own. But if you start feeling down if you see someone talking about learning or doing things that you don’t have experience in, or feeling jealous if someone seems to be ahead of you, you may end up just feeling discouraged.

Everyone has a different situation and progresses at different speeds. Some people will have more time than you or may be faster at learning certain things than you are. Others will have less time or learn slower than you. No one is better than another person.

Ultimately how fast or slow other people are (or seem to be) doesn’t have any direct effect on you. Although it may be difficult, don’t worry about someone else’s journey, just worry about your own.

In closing

Learning JavaScript is a really difficult thing to do, and if you’re somewhere on that path, I commend you!

Even if you feel like you are completely lost and you’ll never be good at programming, just know that it will come with time.

I really hope that these tips are helpful to you.