I begun learning programming a few years ago, and it feels like I barely progressed. I know the basics and a bit of advanced python(I have learnt to use a few libraries), html and css plus a tiny bit of c++, but not much outside of those. I enjoy programming and solving problems using code, and it’s an enjoyable hobby of mine. But I feel like all I do is extremely basic and I want to advance but it feels overwhelming seeing the countless of things I could learn.
I wanna know what are ways I can actually apply the things I have learnt/will learn on somewhat worthwhile things, because the main problem right now is that I don’t really have anything to do with the things I’ve learnt other than silly projects that don’t really last more than a day and aren’t that complex. I also want to advance my knowledge as previously stated since I feel like I know too little for the amount of time I’ve been learning to program.
For context I’m still in school but not too far off from higher ed, and I have a decent amount of free time on most days(~2-4 hrs).
Thanks if you reply
Join in on your school clubs and research projects, or start some with friends!
There are many great competitions where previous programming experience would come in handy.
One competition that takes place in the U.S.:
NASA Student Launch
It actually IS rocket science! Student Launch is a 9-month long challenge that tasks student teams from across the U.S. to design, build, test, and launch a high-powered rocket carrying a scientific or engineering payload. It is a hands-on, research-based, engineering activity and culminates each year with a final launch in Huntsville, Alabama home of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. The activity offers multiple challenges reaching a broad audience colleges and universities as well as middle and high school aged students across the nation.[1]
Culminating Event Dates: April 30 – May 4, 2025
Culminating event location: Huntsville, AL
Eligibility: Open to U.S. Students
Grade Levels: Grades 6-12, College and University
I do not live in the US so I unfortunately cannot join that competition. Not sure if my friends and I can commit ourselves to a project but we’ll try.
There are many competitions that are open to people outside the US, so I would check others out if you are interested in rockets!
Here is another: https://www.soundingrocket.org/sa-cup-home.html | https://www.soundingrocket.org/2024-sa-cup.html
Teams that competed last year from outside the United States:
- Mexico
- Philippines
- Canada
- Thailand
- United Kingdom
- Turkey
- Algeria
- Brazil
- India
- Argentina
- Romania
- Germany
- Australia
- Spain
- New Zealand
- Poland
2024 Team List (Last updated 6-11-24 acb): [https://www.soundingrocket.org/uploads/9/0/6/4/9064598/published_team_list_061124.xlsx_-_for_output.pdf]
