I remember reading about this in a blog post by a game developer. She said that when she learned on her own, she got really good at fixing bugs but hit walls often. I mean, guided sessions with a mentor helped her push through those tough spots without quitting. Maybe it's just me, but I see the same thing with my friends who code. They start strong alone, then burnout kicks in without some structure. That mix of both styles seems key to actually sticking with it long term.

What everyday tasks have you blamed yourself for, only to find a simple fix later?

Guess that chewed-up cassette taught you the hard way.