It's been about a year and a half since I began learning web development through a bootcamp program. The bootcamp itself only met for 5 hours a week, but I spent a lot of time self-teaching outside of class. The bootcamp was divided into three modules and I've successfully completed the first two, which covered HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. After completing the JavaScript module, I was fortunate enough to land a job as a junior developer.
During my first three months on the job, I often felt overwhelmed and like I didn't know the basics. But I reminded myself that it was okay to feel that way during the trial period. Now that I've been fully hired, I'm no longer on trial and the pressure is on.
Last week, I felt like an idiot every day. I was asking "wrong" questions, struggling to understand simple code blocks, and making mistakes on tasks. I know that there will be tough days and periods in any job, but it is hard to overcome failure.
Any advice how to handle these situations and overcome these struggles?
This is my honest opinion:
There are no 'wrong/dumb/idiotic/unnecessary questions'. Dumb or idiotic that if there are NO questions. Especially from a beginner - but on any levels.
If you don't ask a question - even if its a repeated question - you won't get an answer, so you won't be able to learn. Not only you: nobody else.
Don't forget: we are PROBLEM SOLVERS.
There can be a function which could be written differently by each person/developer.
I don't think I'm lying when I tell you that: if we are not running into issues during coding, then we are doing a bad job. Because we do. Because we always find things to improve, to fix, to shrink/rearrange/refactor/consolidate/etc...
Don't be scared: if you don't know something - just ask.
Or try to do a research online.
Don't give up. There are plenty of difficult times - these are part of the problems we solve :)