How to kick butt like a superhero at coding boot camp

Not long ago, I finished a coding boot camp at the University of Toronto. It was a 6-month course, 3 days a week, blazing through a full-stack web development curriculum. This article's not a review, but if you want to hear more, hit me up.

Now let me just say it... I got to the end and I feel like a superhero. Like Clark Kent pulling off his spandex. Like an Avenger eating shawarma when the battle is done. My classmates and I worked hard, and the war's not over (#LifelongLearning) but for now, it feels great.

If you're starting a boot camp yourself, then here are a few things I learned.

1. Keep fighting the next fight.

Curriculums and schedules vary, but any boot camp worth its name will move fast. It's a good thing - you cover a lot of ground, and fill in your own gaps later. But fatigue sets in. A new battle starts before you've had time to debrief.

At some point (for me it was a nefarious template engine) you start a new topic and your brain just says no. Maybe you ask why you're doing this. Maybe you replay every career decision you've ever made. Maybe you just rant.

Ask any superhero - the middle of a fight is the wrong time for existential questions. Reflect and be critical, sure, but stay on your feet. Keep learning all you can. It'll be over soon enough.

2. Learning is better than done.

This is a variation on the old standby, "Done is better than perfect." Boot camp is an investment, and the payoff is mostly whatever you learn. When projects are due, it's tempting to take the fastest route (I'm looking at you, copy-paste) but if you haven't improved your skills, what's the point? This is not a degree; there's no prize at the end for jumping through every hoop.

For similar reasons, don't work frustrated. When you're stuck on a problem, banging your head against a wall for 3 hours might teach you something, but it won't teach you JavaScript. Step away. Ask for help. You have no idea how many coding problems you can solve by going for a walk.

3. You're part of a team.

If there's one thing I've learned from a multi-billion-dollar movie franchise, it's that heroes are better together. It's all about the sidekick keeping you honest. The touching moment when you need a hand. The someone-else-in-the-room for the sake of expository dialogue.

The web development community is insanely collaborative, and the resources at your disposal will blow your mind. Use your classmates, because they're in it with you. Use your instructors, because they'll save you time. Use Stack Overflow, because your questions are not original. Whatever you do, don't go it alone.

And finally...

4. You're a superhero.

I'm serious. You're strong and good-hearted, you have a brilliant tactical mind, you look like Chris Hemsworth with his shirt off. You could have stayed on your couch, and instead you chose this. You can do it. Congratulations on starting something new.

Mark Prince is a front-end web developer in Toronto. He's in the awkward phase of a career transition; luckily, he's no stranger to awkward phases. He codes a lot, reads a lot, and generally overstays his welcome at neighbourhood cafes.