5 Mistakes I Made as a Beginner Coder (And How I Fixed Them)
When I first started coding, I was excited to dive into building apps, websites, and games. I mainly worked with Scratch, Thunkable, and HTML/CSS, which made it easy to get started. But like many beginners, I made a lot of mistakes along the way. Coding can be challenging, and it often takes some trial and error to get things right. Looking back, each mistake taught me valuable lessons that made me a better coder. Here are the 5 biggest mistakes I made as a beginner—and how I fixed them!
1. Not Planning Before Coding
In the beginning, I used to jump straight into coding without any plan. I would open up Scratch or start building a website in HTML/CSS, thinking that ideas would come as I coded. This led to confusing, unorganized projects that didn’t function properly. I’d often realize halfway through that I needed to add something important, and by then, it was too late without rewriting large parts of the code.
How I Fixed It:
I learned that planning is key. Before I start a project now, I sketch out a simple plan. If I’m working in Scratch, I’ll write down the sequence of events, interactions, and logic my project will need. For HTML/CSS, I draw a layout of the webpage, showing where the text, images, and buttons will go. I’ve also started using flowcharts for more complex projects, especially in Thunkable. Planning helps me keep my code organized, clear, and easy to debug.
2. Ignoring the Importance of Comments in Code
When I first started writing in HTML/CSS, I didn’t see the point of adding comments to my code. I figured, “I’ll remember what this does.” Spoiler alert: I didn’t! Coming back to a project weeks or months later, I often found it hard to understand my own code. Even in Scratch, my blocks became a mess when I had no idea what each one was doing.
How I Fixed It:
Now, I make sure to comment my code thoroughly, no matter how simple the project seems. In HTML/CSS, I’ll leave comments like:
This makes it easy for me to pick up where I left off, even months later. In Scratch, I name each sprite and make notes for the scripts so I can easily understand the interactions between different parts of the project.
In Thunkable, where things can get even more complex with multiple screens and logic blocks, I keep detailed notes in a separate document to remind myself how the different pieces fit together.
3. Not Debugging Often Enough
Early on, I would write a huge chunk of code before even testing it, convinced it would work perfectly. Spoiler alert (again): it rarely did. I often ended up with long, messy errors that were difficult to track down. This was especially frustrating when working with HTML/CSS on my websites or trying to figure out why my game in Scratch wasn’t behaving as expected.
How I Fixed It:
I now follow a debugging-as-you-go approach. Instead of waiting until I’ve written a lot of code to test it, I now test small parts frequently. In Scratch, I run scripts after completing each small section, so I can see if the sprite behaves correctly before moving on. When coding in HTML/CSS, I save and refresh my webpage constantly to make sure each new line of code works as intended.
Debugging early and often saves me a ton of time, as it’s much easier to catch small issues before they pile up into one big error.
4. Overcomplicating My Projects
As a beginner, I had big ideas for my projects—an app that does everything, a game with multiple levels, a website with endless features. But I quickly learned that trying to include too much in a project made it confusing and hard to finish. I ended up with half-built projects that were more frustrating than fun.
How I Fixed It:
I realized that simplicity is key when starting out. Now, I focus on building smaller, well-functioning projects. In Thunkable, for example, instead of trying to create an app with multiple features all at once, I started with a simple app like my endangered animals app, which focuses on a single purpose: educating users about endangered species.
In Scratch, I keep my games simple by starting with basic mechanics and adding complexity gradually. This approach makes it easier to build something that works and feels rewarding when completed.
5. Avoiding Online Resources and Tutorials
At first, I felt like I needed to figure everything out by myself. I didn’t use enough tutorials, online forums, or examples because I wanted to prove I could do it on my own. But this slowed down my learning and often left me stuck on simple problems.
How I Fixed It:
I started using online resources to help me overcome roadblocks. There are tons of Scratch tutorials, Thunkable forums, and HTML/CSS guides available that can make coding easier and faster. Whether it’s looking up a YouTube tutorial or finding a code snippet that explains a tricky concept, these resources have become an essential part of my coding routine.
I now actively seek out tutorials and example projects to learn new techniques or troubleshoot problems. Coding is a community effort, and learning from others is one of the best ways to improve.
Conclusion: Learning from My Mistakes
Every coder makes mistakes—it's part of the journey. What matters is learning from those mistakes and figuring out how to improve. Planning ahead, writing clear comments, debugging often, simplifying projects, and using online resources are all practices that have made me a better coder. Whether you're using Scratch, Thunkable, or HTML/CSS, remember: every mistake is an opportunity to learn and grow!
I hope my experiences help you avoid some of these common pitfalls as you dive into coding. What coding mistakes have you made, and how did you fix them? Let me know in the comments below!
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