Not having a computer started to become a significant barrier in my aspirations to learn computer programming. This was mainly because the only computer time I had was during my graphic design diploma course. These courses were structured with an initial session where the tutor demonstrated steps on a big screen using a projector. We took notes and then had limited lab sessions for practicals. There was no opportunity to explore the areas I was keen on, like Visual Basic.
The prospect of buying a computer was still a distant dream. At this juncture, I had to consider other ways to learn. One thing that caught my attention was the thick books carried by the tutors. These books offered a glimmer of hope but introduced another challenge: the language barrier. Although I was studying English as a second language, with my biggest reading achievement being ‘Oliver Twist’, the technical books I saw with the tutors seemed a hundred times more daunting. This realization set a new goal in the back of my mind, even though the starting point wasn’t clear at the time.
Looking back, although the answer wasn’t apparent at the time, what was most important was planting the seeds of being aware of challenges rather than finding immediate answers. Eventually, I learned that time plays a crucial role in resolving things. This period of uncertainty and exploration taught me patience and the value of a gradual approach to overcoming obstacles.
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