#CodingLabStudents: Alex Morrison, 16, A1 for GCE ‘O’ Level Computing
Meet Alex, our talented coder!
Alex Morrison’s journey in coding has been a remarkable one, shaped by his passion for computer science and supported by a strong foundation of coding courses.
From his early experiences with robotics to his dedication in pursuing O-Level Computing, Alex’s hard work has paid off with impressive results, where he has achieved A1!
As he prepares for the next chapter in his education, his story serves as an inspiring example for aspiring coders. Read on to find out more about his coding journey!
“I’ve been taking part in numerous Coding Lab courses which helped me gain experience in coding languages. This helped me a lot in the practical component of the O-Level exam, and I’m really grateful for the support I received from the teachers at Coding Lab.”
Congratulations on your amazing results! How did you feel when you saw your O-Level results for Computing?
I was very relieved that the work I had put into the subject had paid off because I’m very passionate about computing and had put in a lot of time and effort into doing well in it.
Tell us how you began your coding journey.
I first got into coding when I explored different robotics courses outside of school. They focused mainly on engineering and building basics, but I enjoyed the coding side of things. I discovered that I preferred coding to building robotics because coding offered more freedom and the ability to work with easy-to-use software and languages. After that, I decided to explore further by joining Coding Lab.
Alex on a holiday trip in Hokkiado Japan!
How did you get started at Coding Lab?
I remember entering courses at Coding Lab when I was looking for coding courses to further improve my knowledge in computing. I really appreciate how the teachers are very mindful of their students and look for the best way possible for their students to absorb information and apply it in different situations. The courses helped me build a strong foundation in different coding languages and taught me how to approach problems systematically. The structured lessons helped me become confident in applying coding concepts to various scenarios. Over time, I gained valuable skills that helped me both in my O-Level Computing exam and in my personal coding projects.
What do you like about coding? How has coding made a difference in your life?
I love how coding is at the heart of modern technology and how it impacts everything around us. Coding gives me the ability to create and solve problems in ways that interest me. Over the years, I've spent a lot of time developing programs and projects based on ideas I came up with. Completing a program and seeing it work has always been a great feeling. Coding has not only sharpened my problem-solving skills but has also opened doors for future career opportunities in the tech industry.
Why do you think learning to code is so important?
Technology is everywhere in our world today, and coding is what makes much of it possible. Learning coding is essential if you want to understand and contribute to the technology that shapes the future. With coding, you can turn an idea into something real and functional, which is exciting and powerful.
“I owe a lot of my success to my parents, who have been supportive of my passion for coding since I was young. They enrolled me in multiple coding courses to help me grow my skills. I also want to thank my teachers at Coding Lab for being patient and ensuring I understood all the key concepts, which helped me immensely in both my exam preparation and personal coding projects.”
What inspired you to pursue O-Level Computing?
My passion for computer science and my desire to build a career in tech inspired me to pursue O-Level Computing. Since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by how technology works, and I knew that I wanted to be part of the field that drives technological advancements.
How did you prepare for both the practical and written components of the computing O level exam?
I’ve been doing computing for a very young age and have been taking part in numerous Coding Lab courses which helped me gain experience in coding languages which helped me largely in the practical component of the exam. As for the written component, I treated it as I would my science subjects where I focus on memorising the key words from text books and learning to apply it in my papers.
Is there anyone you'd like to thank for supporting you on this journey? How did they help you?
I owe a lot of my success to my parents, who have been supportive of my passion for coding since I was young. They enrolled me in multiple coding courses to help me grow my skills. I also want to thank my teachers at Coding Lab for being patient and ensuring I understood all the key concepts, which helped me immensely in both my exam preparation and personal coding projects.
“Coding is essential in today’s world, as technology plays such a large role in every industry. I believe that learning coding is crucial for staying relevant, whether you’re looking to apply for jobs in the tech industry or just understand the technology around you.”
So, what’s next? What course will you be pursuing, and what are your career aspirations?
I’ll be pursuing a course in Data Analytics at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. I’m looking forward to diving deeper into the field, gaining more specialized knowledge, and preparing for a future career in data science.
Any tips for upcoming students who will be taking O-Level Computing?
Computing textbooks contain a lot of information, which can help you grow your passion for the subject. However, if you find it hard to memorize all the material, focus on the key phrases and keywords in each topic. Examiners tend to focus on these terms, so remembering them makes it much easier to apply your knowledge in the exam.
What are some difficulties you faced while learning to code, and how did you overcome them?
At first, I struggled with understanding how to write efficient code and optimize my solutions. I would often hard-code my programs, which was time-consuming. I learned to overcome this by being curious and always trying to find better ways to approach problems. I also learned to experiment with different techniques, which led to more efficient and cleaner code. Coding Lab’s lessons helped guide me through these challenges and taught me how to think critically when solving problems.
Congratulations once again, Alex! Hope to see what other things you can achieve in your coding journey!
Do you have a favorite project you'd like to share with us? Why is it your favorite?
One of my favorite projects was recreating the card game Blackjack. Even though it wasn’t as large as some of my other projects, I really enjoyed applying my coding skills to build something interactive and fun. It helped me understand how to implement logic and rules in a more structured way.
What are you coding right now? Do you have any exciting future projects or dream projects?
Currently, I’m focusing on data analytics projects, especially learning how to work with data and make meaningful insights from it. I’m excited about future projects that will let me explore machine learning and AI in more depth.
What do your family and friends say when they find out that you know how to code?
Whenever my family or friends find out that I can code, they’re impressed and often ask for my help with tech-related issues. They see how coding can make a real difference in solving problems and simplifying tasks, so they’re always eager to involve me when they need help.
Apart from coding, what are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy playing the guitar and chess. Both activities help me develop my strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, which complement my coding knowledge.
Do you have any advice for other students learning to code?
My advice would be to experiment with code and build your own projects as you learn. Don’t just stick to examples in textbooks—take what you’ve learned and apply it in new ways. The more you experiment, the more you’ll discover what you’re capable of, and that’s when coding becomes even more exciting!
Alex’s dedication to coding, paired with the support of his family and Coding Lab, has shaped him into a confident young coder with clear goals for his future. As he embarks on a course in Data Analytics at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Alex’s story highlights the importance of curiosity, innovation, and the endless opportunities that come with mastering coding.
Our #CodingLabStudents blogs feature our ambitious students and their ongoing coding journeys – be it the budding coder or advanced Python Pro, we appreciate each and every single one’s efforts as they progress to greater heights. 🌱
Coding Lab offers an award-winning curriculum specially for ages 5 to 18 – check out our courses to begin your own coding journey today!
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