You’re a beginner coder who values productivity, and you’re looking to build a future in programming.
However, you’re having trouble deciding what the best time of the day to learn programming would be.
Learning how to program is a complex and difficult task to achieve, and not many people are willing to commit to it because it includes familiarizing yourself with complex computer architecture and memorizing the complexity of different programming languages.
Just the thought of coding makes some people think it’s rocket science, which makes people feel intimidated by it.
But once you dedicate your time and efforts towards something, nothing is as complex and difficult as it seems. It’s always intimidating to start something new from scratch, and when you’re looking at the top of the mountain, the journey seems impossible. Once you start the journey, however, and are willing to fully commit to it, you’re already halfway there.
So what then would be the best time of the day to learn a programming language?
Productivity Levels May Differ For Each Individual
It can depend on a variety of factors, and usually, people have different times at which they seem to be the most productive.
You might have a good level of memory retention, and your mind works best in the morning after a good cup of Joe.
However, you’ll find that your friend, who’s also a programmer works late nights learning complex code. You ask him why that may be, and he explains how his productivity levels soar at night when he’s free from all distractions.
People, therefore, have different times of the day at which they seem to be the most productive. So, people don’t necessarily have to be confined to a particular time of the day for every individual.
If you can, however, learn how to control your productivity levels and focus more on programming at any time of the day, you’re probably going to be very successful in learning how to code.
Memory Retention
Programming is the process of writing computer programs and requires you to learn various different languages of programming like Python, Java, C++, C#, JavaScript, and a few other programming languages.
As a coder, you need to learn these languages at your fingertips to be able to write proper computer programs. This requires you to have a good level of memory retention, and people with good memory retention skills seem to excel at programing.
It is important to understand that different people have different memory retention skills. Some people’s minds work best in the morning, and their memory retention might be most useful at that time. Others might have better memory retention capabilities at night and are most productive at that time.
Therefore the time that’s best for you to learn to program would partly be dependent on your ability to memorize complex computer programming languages.
Individual Capabilities
Programming requires coders to have certain capabilities and skills. The more skills you have required to learn to program, the better your chances of increased productivity in learning the language.
That would also help you decide what time would work best for you to learn to program. If you have the skills for it, you’ll be able to learn it a lot easier and can work productively during any part of the day.
Alternatively, if you don’t acquire the skills for programming, it’ll take your time to familiarize yourself with the complexity of it.
There are some important skills that you must know in order to be good at learning programming:-
Proficiency in Programming Language
The more proficient you are in learning the different programming languages like Python, Java, JavaScript, C++, and other languages, the easier it will be for you to get accustomed to the intricacy of it.
This is probably the most important skill required to learn to program, and you must have a good command of these languages.
It takes some people a long time to really get familiar with most of the programming languages because of how difficult learning it can be.
Self Motivation and Commitment
Self-motivation is a very important skill required to learn to program because it’s a very lonely profession, and you’ll find that it can get very difficult to stay focused a lot of the time.
A passion for programming makes a lot of people enthusiastic about the idea of learning how to code, but a majority of them don’t end up committing to it because of its intricacy of it.
It’s also particularly hard to stay committed to this career path because it’s such a long process, and people find it hard to focus for extended periods of time.
The better you’re motivated to learn to program, the more successful you are in actually learning it.
Writing Skills and Mathematical Skills
It goes without saying that you need to be able to write complex codes of programming languages, so you need a good command of writing skills.
Programming languages require you to write very detailed and intricate coding languages to be able to create computer programs.
You also need good mathematical skills to write complex computer programs.
Abstract thinking
You need to learn how to essentially visualize coding and draw analytical conclusions because code can’t be physically observed. Therefore abstract thinking helps you analyze code from a completely different perspective.
Should you Code at Night?
For a lot of people, coding has proven to be most effective at night, and that may be because of a number of reasons.
Generally, there isn’t a specific time of day that works best for every individual, but some people have given their own personal experiences that allow them to be most productive at night.
Some reasons why coding has been proven to be most productive at night are:-
Free from Distractions and Interferences
You’ll find that some people find the nighttime as the most peaceful time of the day, and people take this time as an opportunity to get their work done productively and free from all distractions.
A lot of people find it very hard to concentrate during the day because of all kinds of distractions and interferences, making them lose their focus.
Since coding generally isn’t like your typical 9 to 5 job, you don’t have to worry about learning it during the day when you can easily avail the tranquility of the nighttime and make the most out of a productive night.
This time of the day also gives you the perfect atmosphere to learn something that requires your undivided focus and attention.
Creativity and Ability to do Multiple Tasks
Some studies have shown that your brain works more creatively at night and really helps you unleash your flexible and creative side of thinking.
This might be because you don’t have many distractions to limit your creativity levels.
You’re also better at working on multiple tasks instead of one during the night. Your brain usually gets tired of being able to work on multiple tasks during late nights or early mornings.
No Constrained Time Limit
You’re generally more relaxed when there are no impositions of time limits that may put stress on your brain and constrain your potential.
When you’re working at night, you don’t have to worry about finishing at a given time of day, so you’re more relaxed and can work more efficiently.
These are usually the factors that may help you decide what time of the day works best for you to learn to program.
You have to understand, however, that different people have different times at which they can work productively, and you should follow the time that works best for you.