Bootcamp life thus far...
I’m basically halfway through the bootcamp. Here are my feelings:
1) Amazed at how much I’ve learned:
My cohort has finished learning Ruby and now we’ve moved onto Javascript. We are at a point where we can technically start applying for Ruby positions.
2) Sad that I can’t be there for my family & friends:
It’s hard to miss out on events such as birthdays, friends and family visiting from out of town, planned dinners, and something as simple as a Sunday football game.
It’s also been hard to know I’m not such a strong hand to help with groceries, laundry, cleaning, or cooking. Living alone or with a partner has its own perks and downs. I know if I were living alone eating would be easy, because it would be PB & J and ham sandwiches, or a nice grilled cheese sandwich when I feel fancy. However, I don’t want to put my partner through that for 16 weeks so I try to be conscience about cooking.
It’s very helpful that I have someone else who has picked up my slack of doing the laundry, cooking, and cleaning. Although I feel bad for not helping out like I used, it is nice to know I’ve got someone I can count on.
3) Excited to fight:
I feel a novice boxer trying to win the match. I have put sweat and tears into learning, projects, and code challenges to continue to the next module. So many emotions run through me during all of this. I’m not a boxer, but I feel like all of that work is my training. Each module I go through is a round in a boxing match. I can get some punches in, but I also took some punches at each round. I want to celebrate every time I get through a round, but I need be ready to jump into the next one. I have to earn my celebration through a match win, not a round win. When I finish my bootcamp, there will be a lot of celebrating going on for the birthdays, dinners, family, and friends I’ve missed.
Things I wished I would have done beforehand: I wished I got some more self-practice before I started. I need to have the time to learn something on my own before someone explains it to me. Struggling on learning a topic alone is helpful when I seek help. I did not get enough previous struggle with JavaScript to be somewhat familiar with it enough to be ready to ask better questions.
I wish I could have done some house projects beforehand to make things smoother. I would have loved to organize my kitchen and bathroom to free up some clutter. I believe it would be easier to come home knowing the clutter no longer exists.
I do wish I could have learned quick, simple recipes. I would have more variety in food. I’m no mood to learn how to cook something new during my bootcamp, which is why I settle for sandwiches.
Budget! I’m lucky because I can depend on my partner financially. However, I didn’t think about how long I would have to be. I did not consider how long it could possibly take to get a job after I graduate. I only considered the four months I would not be working. Had I been completely independent, I would be in an incredibly difficult situation after graduation.
Things I’m doing through the bootcamp: I reach out to friends who also know how to code. It’s great to have a different perspective on a topic I’m learning. I can get so stuck on an idea that hearing it another away can sometimes make it click.
I really enjoy job window shopping. It’s great to actually understand some of the skills and requirements that jobs are looking for. This helps keep me motivated and excited to keep pushing forward.
Forcing myself to take time away from coding. I commit some event to do with my partner or friends to tear myself from coding such as a movie night, dinner, or simple bar night. It does feel good when I do this because it’s rest for my brain and a chance to catch up. To be honest, I look most forward to a movie night enjoying a childhood film in pajamas, right after dinner.
A choice I’m glad I made: I think picking a cohort during the winter, AFTER the holidays was a great choice. I know that I’m not missing out on too many beautiful days. I don’t have to fight temptations of pushing my work on the side to enjoy the weather or company. If it’s a crappy day outside, I grateful to be indoors learning with great people.
