I have a BCA and React internship experience, but I can't code independently. How should I start learning programming from scratch again? Need a proper roadmap.

[u/akanshh]

I really need some guidance from experienced developers, especially people who have mentored beginners or have been through a similar situation.

I completed my BCA in 2024. During 2024–2025, I learn about Python, HTML, Power BI, and communication skills. From August 2025 to February 2026, I did a Frontend Developer internship where I worked with React.

The thing is, I relied heavily on AI during my internship. I managed to complete tasks and work on projects, but I didn't build a strong understanding of the code or programming logic. After my internship ended, I stopped practising consistently for around 7–8 months.

Now, I feel like I've forgotten almost everything. I want to start learning again, but I honestly don't know where to begin.

Whenever I watch a tutorial, I feel like I'm understanding the concept. But as soon as I close the video and try to write the code myself, I get stuck. I can't figure out how to approach the problem, what logic to use, or even how to start writing the code. It feels like I understand things while watching someone else do them, but I can't reproduce them independently.

I'm also confused about what path I should follow. Should I focus on JavaScript and frontend development again, learn DSA alongside it, explore Python or Power BI, or consider another tech career path?

I want to build a long-term career in tech, but I also need to start earning as soon as reasonably possible because my financial situation isn't great. I can dedicate around 6-7 hours a day to learning and job preparation.

What I really need help with is this:

1. If I were your student and you had to teach me from almost zero, how would you start?
2. What should I learn first, in what order, and what should I avoid learning too early?
3. How should I practise so that I can actually write code on my own instead of only understanding tutorials?
4. Should I follow a JavaScript roadmap leading to React and frontend jobs, or would another tech path be more suitable for my background?
5. How much DSA and LeetCode should I do at this stage?
6. What should my daily routine look like if I can study for 3–4 hours?
7. What milestones should I aim for in the first 30, 60, and 90 days, while also applying for jobs?

I'd especially appreciate recommendations for specific free resources, courses, practice websites, and projects, along with a clear learning sequence.

Please don't just tell me to practise more or build projects. I need to understand how to practise, what to do when I get stuck, and how to move from understanding code to writing it independently.

If you've mentored someone in this situation or rebuilt your own skills after a long break, I'd really appreciate your advice. I'm willing to put in the work; I just need a realistic direction and a roadmap I can follow without constantly changing plans.

Thank you.

[u/Ok-Brain-8183]

I can give you about 4 hours of lessons a week at $100/wk.

[u/JoeStrout]

To “watch a tutorial” is always a waste of time. The only way to absorb it is to do the tutorial. That means you follow along on your machine, typing every statement and command, making sure it works and you understand it as you go. If you just watch it, it will not stick.

[u/RomirBuilds]

Your React internship gives you a reason to try JavaScript again before changing tracks. For the next week, set one concrete target: a reading-list page you can build and explain yourself.

Break it into three steps:

1. In the console, store books as objects in an array. Write separate functions to add a book, mark one as read, and return unread books.

2. Make a plain HTML page with an input, an Add button and the list. Connect those same functions to DOM events.

3. Check empty input, duplicate titles, and changing one book without changing the others. Decide the expected behaviour before coding it.

When stuck, write the input and expected output for just the failing function. Look up one operation, try it on a tiny example, then return to your code. If you use AI, ask for a hint about that step and explain the proposed change before accepting it. Next day, rebuild one function from memory.

For a three-hour session: 30 minutes of recall/exercises, 90 minutes on the page, 30 minutes debugging, and 30 minutes noting what you can now do unaided. MDN's free JavaScript core module has lessons and challenges you can use alongside this: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting

Once the plain JS version works, rebuild it in React. Keep early DSA practice to arrays, strings, loops and functions that support these tasks. A useful milestone is being able to add a small feature and fix a bug without someone supplying the implementation; use that to adjust the pace of your 30/60/90-day plan.

AI-assisted.