Stuck Learning to Code? 3 Common Mistakes and Simple Fixes

Hi — I’m Rob from PreCodeCamp. If you feel stuck learning to code, you’re not alone. Over hundreds of students I’ve taught, three recurring mistakes keep people from making steady progress. The good news: each one has a simple fix. Read on and you’ll have a clear action plan to start improving today.

Mistake #1: Tackling Projects That Are Too Advanced

Problem: You jump straight into building a huge app — a social media clone, a complete game, or a big multi-page site — before you’ve learned the fundamentals. The result is frustration, confusion, and sometimes burnout. Big projects are exciting, but when they’re beyond your current skill level they stall your momentum.

Fix: Aim for mini wins. Pick focused projects you can finish in a day or two so you build confidence and stack skills. Examples:

• Make a simple button that responds to clicks

• Build a counter app (increment/decrement)

• Create a to-do list with add/remove items

• Make a basic notes app that stores text locally

Each small project teaches a discrete concept you can reuse in larger apps. As your skill set grows, combine those mini projects into something bigger — but don’t start with Instagram.

Mistake #2: Focusing on Memorization Over Problem Solving

Problem: Beginners often try to memorize syntax, functions, or methods and then avoid attempting projects until they “know enough.” But nobody memorizes every function in the docs. When you get stuck, that memorization-first mindset prevents you from solving the problem quickly and efficiently.

Fix: Embrace documentation and problem decomposition instead of memorization. Learn where to find answers and how to break a task into small steps. Useful resources include MDN, W3Schools, Stack Overflow, and modern tools like ChatGPT. The goal is not to memorize every detail — it’s to know how to look things up and apply them to the problem at hand.

Practical approach:

• Break the problem into smaller subtasks (UI layout, input handling, data storage).

• Search for the specific syntax or method only when you need it.

• Keep a shortlist of dependable docs and examples so you don’t waste time hunting for basics.

Tip: No developer has memorized the entire documentation. That’s what Google, docs, and community tools are for.

Mistake #3: Copy-Pasting Code Without Understanding It

Problem: You find code online, paste it into your project, and it works — for a moment. But when you need to change or extend it, the app breaks because you never understood what the code actually does.

Fix: Make every copy-paste an active learning opportunity. Instead of passively accepting the code, take steps to understand it line by line.

How to learn from pasted code:

• Explain each line out loud or write a short comment describing its purpose.

• Insert breakpoints or console.log statements to observe runtime behavior and data flow.

• Add comments that summarize what blocks of code are doing — this helps when you revisit the code later.

• Use ChatGPT or a mentor proactively: state what you think the code does and ask for confirmation (“This is what I think — am I right?”) rather than just dumping the code for an explanation.

Pair this with deliberate practice. If you’re learning loops, ask for extra loop exercises and have your solutions checked. The goal is to be able to modify and extend code confidently, not just to make it run once.

How to Make Steady Progress (A Short Roadmap)

Follow these habits to avoid the common traps and accelerate your learning:

1. Start small: pick short, finishable projects.

2. Use documentation: learn where to look, not what to memorize.

3. Practice active reading: explain code line-by-line, use breakpoints, and comment your work.

4. Seek feedback: join a community, ask peers or mentors, and use tools that can check your work.

5. Stack skills: combine small projects into progressively larger ones.

If you want guided, step-by-step feedback, that’s exactly what we focus on at PreCodeCamp — structured lessons, direct answers to your questions, and projects designed to build real confidence.

Helpful Articles and Resources

Here are relevant posts from the PreCodeCamp blog to help with the topics above (copy and paste the URLs into your browser):

• Blog home: https://www.precodecamp.com/blog — general tutorials and lessons

• 10 Essential Tips for Beginners in Coding: https://www.precodecamp.com/blog/10-essential-tips-for-beginners-in-coding-a-journey-of-learning-and-growth

• Introduction to Loops for Beginners: https://www.precodecamp.com/blog/introduction-to-loops-for-beginners-a-train-ride-adventure

• Unlock the Secret Code: If Statements Made Easy: https://www.precodecamp.com/blog/unlock-the-secret-code-if-statements-made-easy

• JavaScript Click Event Tutorial (Toggling a Light Bulb): https://www.precodecamp.com/blog/javascript-click-event-tutorial-toggling-a-light-bulb

• Create a Filtered List from an Input Field in JavaScript: https://www.precodecamp.com/blog/create-a-filtered-list-from-an-input-field-in-javascript

• Why Learn JavaScript as Your First Language: https://www.precodecamp.com/blog/why-learn-javascript-as-your-first-programming-language

• HTML vs CSS vs JavaScript — Beginner’s Guide: https://www.precodecamp.com/blog/html-vs-css-vs-javascript-a-beginner-s-guide-to-web-development-s-power-trio

• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a Beginner: https://www.precodecamp.com/blog/overcoming-imposter-syndrome-a-guide-for-beginner-javascript-developers

• Coding Bootcamp Prep & How to Avoid Dropping Out: https://www.precodecamp.com/blog/coding-boot-camp-prep-how-to-avoid-dropping-out

• Is Learning to Code Still Worth It?: https://www.precodecamp.com/blog/is-learning-to-code-still-worth-it

FAQ

Q: What kind of projects should a complete beginner start with?

A: Start with tiny, focused projects you can finish in a day or two: a button demo, a counter, a simple to-do list, or a notes app. These teach fundamental interactions and are easy to iterate on.

Q: Should I try to memorize JavaScript syntax?

A: No. Learn where key references live (MDN, Stack Overflow) and how to break problems down. Memorize patterns you use daily, but rely on documentation for less common APIs.

Q: I copy code from tutorials — how do I stop breaking it when I change things?

A: Don’t treat copied code as a black box. Read it line-by-line, add comments, use console logs and breakpoints to see what’s happening, and explain it aloud. When you can describe its behavior, you can safely modify it.

Q: How do I avoid feeling burned out?

A: Focus on small wins, build a routine of regular practice, and ask for feedback when you feel stuck. Community support and structured guidance can make a huge difference.

Final Thoughts

Everyone makes mistakes when learning to code. The difference between someone who stays stuck and someone who improves is their approach. Start small, use documentation, and make every copied example a learning tool. With steady practice and the right habits, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your skills grow.

If you want structured guidance and direct feedback as you learn, check out PreCodeCamp’s resources and courses on the blog page above. Keep going — small, consistent steps win the race.