Project 300: Revisiting #100DaysOfCode, new roadmap, phases and focus.
My last #100DaysOfCode log was on 14 Feb 2020. Up to that point, I had made 2 attempts and was starting to gain momentum with learning Python and Machine Learning. I was sure that AI/ML would be the path that I wanted to move towards. It’s been about 16 months since, and the world is a different place.
With Covid-19 turning lives upside down, my life similarly underwent significant changes, some intended, some unintended:
- Mar 2020: lockdown in Singapore in the form of “circuit breaker”.
- Mar – Apr 2020: in the midst of work from home (WFH), I completed Python Crash Course and learnt basic Python, but realized that I wanted to do more with code, I wanted to build things that help and add value. Thus begin a pivot to web development.
- May – Jun 2020: Volunteered to assist my company via remote tech support role while waiting for lockdown to end. In that time, I also started freeCodeCamp’s Responsive Web Design course.
- Jul 2020: Return to work and adjusting to a new tech support role in store.
- Sep 2020: Completed freeCodeCamp’s Responsive Web Design course. Started freeCodeCamp JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures course.
- Oct 2020 – Mar 2021: Hit a rough patch with my work, and this time was interspersed with occasional coding, adjusting to new role, gaming in my free time.
- Mar – Apr 2021: A relative asked me to consider a startup role that was very different from tech, and while doing so, started a brief self-directed learning experience with marketing and growth hacking. At the same time, also applied for an internal programme to try out and shadow a corporate technical role in my company.
- May 2021: A new Covid-19 wave resurging in Singapore resulting in a quasi-lockdown state termed “Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)”. Radio silence from the startup marketing role.
- Early Jun 2021: Interview for the internal company experience for Escalations Engineer role (tech stack – Python, SQL, Charles Proxy, Splunk). Take home challenge to learn SQL, Charles Proxy, Splunk, and review Python in 4 days. Managed basic surface learning of technologies; bombed the technical interview. Silver lining – suddenly found new momentum to continue learning.
- 14 June 2021: Crafted and started a personal 39-week plan to reignite web development journey with 3 distinct phases. Now titled Project 300 (i.e. 3 x #100DaysOfCode).
- 19 June 2021: And so here we are.
While I already started the project on 14 June, I felt that instead of doing it in private, learning in public would supercharge the process and also act as another driving force to maintain the renewed momentum that I gained, ironically from a failed interview. I am restarting my #100DaysOfCode today, and the plan is to do it 3 times in parallel to my 39-week plan.
The roadmap for Project 300:
- Commitment – 12hrs/week
Workdays – 1hrs/day
Off Days – 3.5hrs/day - Learn in Public
- Restart #100DaysOfCode
- Tweet updates
- 1 blog post weekly
Phase 1: Fundamentals (14 June to 12 Sep – 13 weeks)
- Complete freeCodeCamp JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures
- Complete The Odin Project Foundations & Full Stack JavaScript
- Complete Watch and Code (free)
- [Optional] Complete Full Stack Open
Phase 2: Portfolio Building (13 Sep to 12 Dec – 13 weeks
- Portfolio site
- Blog site
- Bug tracker
- Budget tracker
Phase 3: Network and Expand (13 Dec to 13 Mar – 13 weeks)
- Get feedback on portfolio
- Offer to build a website for a friend/relative
Some tools I’m using to help me with my daily goals:
- Done App to track daily tasks
- Day One App to journal daily affirmations
- Toggl track to track time on coding and learning
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