Balancing a Full-Time Job and Coding Preparation

Balancing a full-time job and preparing for coding interviews is no small feat, but when you have goals, you have to make it happen. Here are some strategies that have worked for me, along with concrete examples to help you get started.

1. Time Management

Time management is the single most important aspect of fitting everything within the limited time in a day. I use a combination of tools and techniques to make the most of my day. Here’s how:

• Planners and Calendars: I rely heavily on my planner and Google Calendar. Every Sunday, I plan out my week, blocking specific times for studying. For instance, I reserve 7-8 AM for coding practice before work and 7-9 PM for reviewing concepts or working on projects. This way, I have a clear structure and know exactly when I need to focus on my studies.
• Pomodoro Technique: This technique has been a game-changer for me. I set a timer for 25 minutes to focus on a task (like solving a coding challenge), followed by a 5-minute break. After four cycles, I take a longer break (15-30 minutes). This method helps me stay productive and avoid burnout. For example, I'll use the first Pomodoro session of the morning to tackle a new LeetCode problem and the next to review my solution and optimize it.
• Utilizing Downtime: I make use of any downtime I have. During my lunch breaks, I watch coding tutorials or read articles. I also listen to tech podcasts during my commute. Some of my favorites are "Syntax" and "Software Engineering Daily."

2. Staying Motivated

Staying motivated can be tough, especially after a long day at work. Here are a few ways I keep my spirits up:

• Set Small Goals: Instead of overwhelming myself with large tasks, I set small, achievable goals. For example, I aim to solve one coding challenge per day or review one chapter of a technical book per week. Achieving these small goals keeps me motivated and builds momentum.
• Rewards System: I reward myself for meeting my goals. If I complete a week of consistent study sessions, I treat myself to something I enjoy, like a movie night or a favorite dessert. These little rewards make the hard work feel worthwhile.
• Track Progress: Keeping a record of what I've learned and accomplished helps me stay motivated. I use a simple spreadsheet to log my daily study hours, topics covered, and coding challenges solved. Seeing my progress over time is incredibly satisfying and keeps me moving forward.

3. Leveraging Community Support

Community support has been incredibly valuable. Here’s how I stay connected and motivated:

• Mentorship: Having a mentor has been a huge help. I connected with a mentor through LinkedIn who provides guidance, answers my questions, and gives feedback on my projects. We have bi-weekly check-ins where we discuss my progress and any challenges I’m facing.
• Tech Meetups and Conferences: Attending tech meetups and conferences, even virtually, has expanded my network and provided inspiration. I recently attended a virtual React conference where I learned about the latest features and best practices. These events are also great for finding potential study buddies or mentors.

Concrete Examples from My Routine

• Morning Routine: I wake up at 6:30 AM and start my day with a quick workout to energize myself. From 7-8 AM, I work on a coding challenge from LeetCode. I find mornings to be a great time for focused problem-solving before the workday begins.
• Lunch Break Learning: During my lunch break, I often watch a tutorial on a specific topic I’m interested in. Recently, I’ve been diving deeper into React.js, so I’ve been watching a series of tutorials on Docker basics and containerization.
• Evening Study Sessions: After work, from 7-9 PM, I focus on reviewing concepts and working on projects. For instance, I’m currently building a small web app to track my daily study hours and goals. This project helps me apply what I’ve learned and keeps me motivated.
• Weekend Deep Dives: On weekends, I dedicate more time to learning. I usually spend Saturday mornings doing a mock interview session with a friend or mentor, where we simulate a technical interview scenario. In the afternoons, I work on more extensive projects or deep-dive into complex topics like system design.

Balancing a full-time job and coding preparation isn't an easy feat, and there are days where I just want to drop everything and not touch my keyboard. Those days are sometimes necessary to recharge and rewind, but I remind myself why I started this journey of coding and where I want to be at the end of this year, and that is motivating enough to type the next line of code.