Heading back to school means new classes, new projects, and probably more than a few late nights. Whether you’re learning your very first programming language or tackling advanced computer science courses, it helps to know you’re not alone. Every developer has been where you are now.
We asked some of our own engineers to share how Stack Overflow helped them in school, and the advice they’d give to students just starting out. Here’s what they had to say:
Learn to ask good questions
One of the biggest skills you’ll build as a student is figuring out how to ask for help.
“Imposter syndrome is a real thing that most engineers feel at some point. My recommendation is to normalize those experiences. Ask questions if you don't understand something. Say, "I don't know" if you really don't know. If others ask questions or are unsure about something, be kind and helpful. In my experience, those that are humble and nice thrive in this industry (and in life).” - Jacob Adams, Staff Platform Developer at Stack Overflow
Use Stack Overflow as a learning tool, not just an answer bank
It’s tempting to copy-paste an answer when you’re stuck, but the real magic happens when you read through explanations and understand why something works.
“Be curious! It's obviously important to learn how to do something, but try to understand the "why" as well. What's going on beneath the surface? Why does this thing work the way it does? Curiosity will set you apart and give you a valuable understanding.” - Dustin Aleksiuk, Senior Software Developer at Stack Overflow
"Don't copy and paste. Re-type the code yourself. You'll learn more and become a better coder.” - Thomas A. Limoncelli, Platform Engineer at Stack Overflow
Don’t be afraid to get stuck
Every developer, beginner or professional, hits roadblocks. The key is learning to work through those roadblocks.
“Wrestling with content is the best way to learn it. Don't just accept an answer at face value. Figure out why all the pieces work together the way they do. Once you've done that, the lessons and knowledge will stick much better.”- Kyle Mitofsky, Staff Software Engineer
Find or join a community
Coding can feel isolating, but Stack Overflow shows you that millions of people are learning and building alongside you.
“I highly recommend creating a free team for university courses which allows all students taking the course to participate in solving homework and study questions. Especially in engineering where topics and questions can be complex, having a score based answer system where students can help each other can be very useful for learning.” - Sal Batirbek, Senior Software Developer
As you dive into the new school year, remember that Stack Overflow is more than just a Q&A site. It’s a resource for learning, a place to get better at asking questions, and a community with millions of developers who’ve been exactly where you are now.
So the next time you’re stuck on an assignment or project, don’t get discouraged. Search, ask, and learn. And who knows? A few years from now, you might be the one giving advice to the next generation of developers.
Have any other advice? Share it in the comments below.