A Post-Bootcamp Love Letter
So, it’s no secret that I have been in the midst of an intensive software engineering bootcamp at General Assembly. Well, as of last Monday, I finished! It has been a whirlwind to say the least. Along with learning lots and lots (and lots) of technical knowledge, I also learned quite a lot about myself and about how I cope with the sheer overwhelming nature of an immersive bootcamp.
I am fortunate to have spent several years as a teacher, but I hadn’t been in a classroom setting as a student in a very, very long time. Also, having been laid off a few weeks prior to the decision to enroll in GA, I had lots of free time. It was honestly the perfect time for me to take this course, but my life went from “what should I do today?” to “OMG how am I going to do this and what did I get myself into?” literally overnight.
Off the bat, GA did a good job of communicating the intensity of the program we were all about to take. They pretty much told us that we wouldn’t have time for much else. They told us to have loved ones (if possible) help with small tasks like cooking meals and cleaning. They told us we should plan on spending at least 12 hours a day in front of our computers between classes and homework. They told us and they told us again. However, there is a big difference between being told what to expect and actually experiencing it.
The first couple weeks in the program were spent acclimating to the pace and time commitment. At first, I looked forward to the weekends like I was back in high school. Having no prior coding experience, I initially felt like I was in over my head and was lamenting my decision to do this at all. However, the most important advice I would give to new students I was teaching is that they can expect the first pieces of learning anything new to be some of the most frustrating and discouraging. I told them that it would pass and new skills will start to actualize. I tried to keep that advice in mind and before I knew it, I found myself keeping up with the pace. Instead of looking forward to the weekends, I found myself checking the syllabus for the upcoming weeks and excited for what was planned in the coming lessons. The time spent in front of my computer felt more and more valuable as my progression was rapidly evolving. It was working.
Now, being on the other side of the program, I find myself missing it! The experience was both one of the most difficult and profound of my entire life. I fell in love with coding and the limitless potential of what I can create with it. It’s still new, of course, but far less new than a few short months ago. It all went by in such a blur that it was difficult to know what I actually learned because of the overwhelming pace. However, I often find myself surprised at the skills I acquired.
Was it worth it? For me, yes. Would I recommend it? That depends on how you cope with extreme (yes, extreme) difficulties. Some advice if you are considering a bootcamp: First, it will be your whole life for the entire duration (and then some), so get ready however you need to. They are not joking about the time and energy commitment. Second, get a comfortable chair and some fidget-focused desk toys. If you are anything like me, it is very helpful to have something to mindlessly tinker with during lectures (shout-out to Speks). Third, try to remember that you are always doing better than you think. It is far too easy to get overwhelmed by thoughts of inadequacy and letting them in too far. Try your hardest even though your hardest won’t feel like enough at first. Before you know it, you’ll be surprising yourself with what you can do. And lastly, set aside some sacred, self-care time. For me, it was Friday evenings. As soon as my Friday class ended, I shut my computer down and didn’t think about coding until the next morning when I would dive into weekend homework/projects.
My experience was as valuable as it was difficult. It only worked for me because I went out of my way to find ways to make it work. GA somehow challenged and acquiesced, infuriated and delighted, pushed and pulled, and ultimately changed me and I am better for it despite the battle scars.
