Studying can be boring, but learning new things is exciting. The most useful skill I have ever learned is coding. People think coding takes years to learn, but that's only partly true. Coding is simply telling a computer what to do using programming languages. Looking back, I realised I had already started learning to code long before I even knew what coding was.
01Scratch
When I was in Grade 4, I used Scratch, a block-based coding platform. Instead of typing code, I joined colourful blocks together to make characters move, talk, and perform actions. At the time, it just felt like a fun game, but it actually taught me the basics of programming.
02Python
Around Grade 8, I started learning Python and understood concepts like variables, loops, and functions. By Grade 11, I had expanded into Python, C, HTML, and Java. Most of what I learned came from consistent practice and Harvard's free CS50 course, which is one of the best beginner-friendly programming courses available online.
03Vibe coding
Today, AI has introduced something called vibe coding. With AI tools, you can build websites, apps, and software much faster than before. A website that once took days to build can now be created in under an hour. While this is great for productivity, it is not the best way to learn coding, because AI can do most of the thinking for you. Real coding skills come from understanding the logic yourself.
04The project
That is why I am currently building a complete expense tracker using only Python, without relying on vibe coding. It is helping me strengthen my problem-solving skills and understand programming more deeply. Coding and AI are shaping the future, and people with these skills are creating incredible opportunities. If I could begin learning through Scratch without even knowing it was coding, anyone can start today.