The God of My Own Creation: Lessons in Programming

I never touched a computer in high school, but I was fascinated by how programming worked. When I finished my very first assignment, I was thrilled. For the first time, I felt a strange sense of power. When I wrote a program, I controlled everything. Every line, every step, every outcome. It felt like I was a god of my own creation.

That feeling did not last long.

Soon, I ran into the harsh reality of programming. A tiny mistake could break everything. A missing character, an extra comma, or a simple typo could trigger dozens of compiler errors. Anyone who has programmed knows this experience. You stare at the screen and wonder what went wrong. Hours pass, and the program still does not work.

For a beginner, it can feel brutal. The computer does not forgive. It does not guess your intention. It simply rejects what is wrong.

Over time, I learned that programming is not about control. It is about discipline and patience. Learning to manage frustration is part of the journey. Today, when I teach Computer Science, I often tell my students, “Relax. Do not get upset with your mistakes. I have made far more than you.”

My professional experience has also shaped how I teach. I pay close attention to details, especially typos. In fact, students often dislike me at first because I take off points for obvious mistakes. To them, it feels too strict. To me, it reflects something deeper. Sloppiness in small things leads to bigger problems later.

Programming teaches an important lesson. You are not a god, and you are not a slave. You are responsible. The computer simply reflects the precision and care you bring to your work.