Pre-College
Pre-school
My childhood revolved around Megablocks by Mattel (a Lego-like toy) and other assembly toys like Hero Factory by Lego. This was because my parents realized that any other static toy would just last 30 mins in my hands and then I would get bored of it.
But with these toys, I could follow the instructions initially, then just break them apart and throw them all into one big box and have fun with that one big box for hours.
Pre-highschool
During my elementary years, I had started my classical piano lessons. Initially I had taken voice+piano lessons. But my parents quickly realized I never paid attention to my voice lessons so they dropped it in favor of more time in my piano lessons. These lessons served as my very first major source of self esteem. This became a conversation starter for people I wanted to be friends with.
However, I noticed that I never really liked maintaining relationships with friends. Later on, I realized that I did not have close friends like other people did.
During this time, I primary source of entertainment became a video game called Minecraft. This was a sandbox game that entertained me mainly because of building and redstone (the game’s way to handle automated logic). I was inspired by the Minecraft Youtubers during this time, and I wanted to post my own videos as well. As such, I self-taught myself video editing. I realized I needed a-lot of graphics for thumbnails and content so I taught myself graphic design as well. I also realized I needed music to use so I self-taught myself music production as well. My first tracks and songs were very cringey because I never really learned composition theory from my piano lessons. But I did it anyway. This was my first ever introduction to me teaching myself stuff.
Highschool
Eventually I got my first initial programming experience by doing basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in highschool. This became the first catalyst for me to start taking interest in teaching myself programming. Initially I wanted to get into robotics, so my parents enrolled me in a robotics bootcamp. But after this event, I did not really have any Arduino parts at home so I could not expand from this. So, my parents enrolled me in a Unity Game Development bootcamp.
This bootcamp was a game changer. It revolutionized my life. It was the first ever field that I felt a strong pull towards. After the camp, I immediately taught myself everything there was to know about game development.
It was also during this time that I started playing piano for my church.
Senior High school
Pandemic struck. As such, my creativity in game development only rose. I could use all the skills I learned so far in game development because the possibilities were endless.
During this time, I experienced my first major student leadership opportunity in a programming organization. I delivered a few speeches here about game development.
College
Year 1
I took up game development as my primary degree. However, I quickly became bored and disappointed with how easy the first few terms was for me. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this because it was during this time that I fully took advantage of my love for teaching.
I joined an organization and began teaching there as well.
Year 2
I taught more, I spoke more, and I learned more. I also met and befriended a few really good juniors who were prodigies in their field. It was during this time that I gathered up all the experience I had and wrote it all into a book, “How To Really Teach Yourself Programming.” I finished this book when I was 19 years old, and I self-published it on my 20th birthday.
The rest of this year was filled with more opportunities for learning. Which is why I also enrolled myself in a Minor for Education.
The future is bright
Who knows what the future will bring me? Regardless of what it may be, I know that it will be fun. So don’t forget to follow me in the social media platforms that you use, and register your email to this site so you’re updated on any insight I might have for you!
Gab With Tie 