1. Start Early
You have to start early if you want to become successful at programming. If you don't get started right away, then you probably won't succeed. Most people take years to learn how to program and even once they do, they still haven't mastered their craft. If you have any ambitions of becoming a great programmer, you need to start now!
2. Keep Learning
Keep learning about computers and coding. Read books and online articles, but make sure you don't just read them passively. Take notes, ask questions, and write down whatever you need to remember. You should be taking some sort of formal education, but try to avoid being overwhelmed by the amount of information you are exposed to. Instead, focus on memorizing concepts and ideas rather than facts and figures.
3. Practice Makes Perfect
Practice makes perfect, yes? Well, it's true because practicing actually helps you learn faster. If you find yourself getting stuck on something, step out of your comfort zone and practice using a different language or framework. Don't give up on trying to master a difficult concept just because you aren't familiar with it yet. Just because you aren't good at something doesn't mean you shouldn't try.
4. Ask Questions
Programming isn't only about knowing how to write code; it's about knowing how to think logically. When programming, you will inevitably run across situations where you don't understand a certain topic. That's fine! Don't be afraid to ask someone who knows more about programming than you do. Ask friends, family members, teachers, and whoever else you know. If you don't learn anything, you can always go back to the basics.
5. Set Goals
When you set goals for yourself, you'll notice that you are much more likely to achieve them. Whether you're setting short term or long term goals, having a plan is extremely helpful. Use your goals to motivate yourself throughout the year!