The Emotional Cycle of Change

Programming is a mindset. It’s about confidence and being open to failure. It’s about knowing when to climb from the bottom of the cycle and being able to say, “Eh, I’m going to try this thing, even though I don’t really understand it. AND I’m not going to get attached to it in case it doesn’t work and I have to erase all my code and try something completely different.”

The growth mindset here is understanding that even when something doesn’t work, it will still make you a better coder! We want this to be challenging for you because…

• Just memorizing stuff won’t help you. Learning HOW to code will.
• You can’t BS your way through code.
• The fundamental standard of programming: It either works, or it doesn’t. No amount of sweet-talking will make it work.
• Google is your best friend

Throughout the course of SEI many students say something along the lines of “I don’t know how to do that.” Many of you certainly will. If you do, however, just add “…yet” to the end of that sentence.