The Truth About Coding: Why 70% of Beginners Quit
Every year, tons of people decide to learn to code. They sign up for courses online, check out YouTube, and dream about jobs as software devs, freelancers, or starting their own tech thing. But studies always show that it’s way harder than it looks: About 70% of people give up in the first year.
So, what’s the deal? Is coding crazy hard? Or is something else going on?
Most people don’t quit because they aren’t smart enough. They quit because their expectations are off, they aren’t learning the right way, and they get burned out. So, let’s look at why so many people bail—and how to avoid being one of them.
1. Expectations Are Too High From the Start
A big reason people quit is that they think it will be easy.
Social media makes coding look like:
- “Learn in a month!
- “Get a dev job without a degree!
- “Make $5,000 a month working from home!
But they leave out:
- The confusion that lasts for months
- All the error messages
- The frustration of code not working
Lots of people want results fast. If they don’t have an app or website up in weeks, they figure they’re failing.
But here’s the truth:
Coding takes time, just like learning a language or an instrument. You’ll be slow at first, and that’s ok.
2. Tutorial Trap: Learning, Not Building
Another reason people quit is getting stuck watching videos that don’t help.
This is when people:
- Watch tutorials non-stop
- Copy code word for word
- Feel good during the video
- Then get lost when they try it themselves
Tutorials feel like you’re getting somewhere, but you aren’t really learning how to think for yourself.
When people try to build something by themselves and fail, they get bummed out and quit.
Here’s the truth:
Struggling is part of learning, not failing.
3. Too Much, Too Fast
People try to learn:
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- React
- Node.js
- Python
- Databases
- Frameworks
All at once.
It’s too much information! Coding is about logic already, and too many tools makes it even harder.
Instead of getting good at one thing, they jump around and never feel confident.
The result? Burnout and quitting.
A better way:
Start with one language and really learn it before moving on.
4. Scared of Mistakes and Feeling Dumb
Coding is all about errors. Even pros see them every day.
But people often think:
- “Everyone gets this but me.
- “I’m bad at logic.
- “I’m not a real programmer.
When code doesn’t work, they take it hard.
Thinking like this kills your motivation. Instead of seeing errors as clues, they see proof they can’t do it.
Here’s the truth:
Errors mean you are learning. No errors = no learning.
5. No Support System
A lot of people try to learn all alone:
- No community
- No mentor
- No feedback
When they get stuck, they spend forever trying to find answers. Being alone makes things harder and makes you doubt yourself more.
It’s easier to learn with others. Without support, quitting seems easier than pushing on.
People who make it usually:
- Join groups
- Ask questions
- Share what they’re doing
6. Only Thinking About the Money
Lots of people start coding for the money.
Money’s ok as a motivator, but it’s not enough when things get hard. When the fun wears off and it gets difficult, money won’t keep you going.
People who stick with it usually:
- Are curious
- Like solving problems
- Enjoy building things
If you hate coding, the money won’t save you.
7. No Real Goal
People don’t know:
- What kind of developer they want to be
- What they’re working toward
- Why they’re learning
- They just learn coding without a plan.
Without a clear goal, everything feels pointless. Motivation drops, and quitting makes sense.
Some clear goals:
- “I want to build websites for local businesses.
- “I want to make my work easier.
7. No Real Goal
People don’t know:
- What kind of developer they want to be
- What they’re working toward
- Why they’re learning
- They just learn coding without a plan.
Without a clear goal, everything feels pointless. Motivation drops, and quitting makes sense.
Some clear goals:
- “I want to build websites for local businesses.
- “I want to make my work easier.
8. Comparing Yourself to the Stars
People look at:
- Their first week → someone’s 10 years of experience
- Their messy code → perfect projects on GitHub
And it kills their confidence.
They don’t realize that pros were beginners once too.
You don’t see progress at first. You only see it when you look back.
Why 30% Make It
The 30% who don’t quit usually:
- Accept that things will be confusing
- Build small projects early
- Learn a little bit at a time
- Don’t try to be perfect
- Focus on getting better, not going fast
Get that coding is about thinking, not memorizing.
Coding: It's All in Your Head
Coding doesn’t make people quit. The way they learn and their mindset do.
Most people quit because:
- They feel lost
- They feel alone
- They feel behind
If you’re struggling, don’t quit! It means you’re on the right track.
The difference between those who quit and those who don’t:
One group stops. The other keeps going—confused, annoyed, but moving forward.
And that’s the deal.