First day went great. Got my laptop all set up. I still have no idea what I’m doing. Imposter syndrome really set in as of yesterday. Looking at the code base and seeing all of the code made me feel stupid. I understand I won’t know the whole code base.

It’s also my first developer job. I just feel stupid. I’m super eager to learn. But I feel like I’m going to ask a lot of stupid questions as well.

Idk how to feel. I guess a fraud would be the right answer? How can I get more comfortable at my new and first developer job?

“It’s my first developer job…I feel stupid”

That’s a feature, not a bug.

With time you’ll feel less stupid. Probably.

Hopefully until that time comes, your new place helps you feel, if nothing else: empowered.

Go get you some, kiddo.

First off, scan all the code. Don't try and read it, just scan it past your eyes in focus so your brain sees it. This will make it less foreign and leverage the massive computing power of your brain. Let it chug on it in the background.

Then start trying to understand pieces.

@ComputerToucher thank you. They’re all super chill. Not all stuck up or entitled at all. Seniors are great as well.

I know I can get some help when needed. So that’s a huge plus.

Don't lie, it's not possible to have your laptop set up after the first day.

@electrineer it’s the second day. I have now realized after starting up today it’s not all the way set up. I have very little access to stuff just finding it out now.

@Blernnn that sounds more like it. Let's see after a month.

Yes, you will know the whole code base if you stay long enough. And yes, that is a double-edged sword...

Don't feel stupid, accept that you only have to build experience 💚

In my company I created a chat for juniors where they can ask their "stupid questions" and help eachother without feeling the pressure of thinking that a senior would judge them.
The reason I bring this up is because everyone completely understood where I was coming from, and it was a huge success.
Hopefully this will help with the impostor syndrome ;)

Also you'll learn the basic stuff really easy, don't worry about it, give yourself a bit of time.

And one more thing, even experienced Devs need about a month when they switch jobs to get accustomed to the code base, but also if they switched languages too, to the language itself.

No one expects you to be the exception that won't need the time to get used to a new environment. And if they do, run!