From Graphic Design to Software Dev: My Journey from Zero to Earning While Still Studying (No Degree Needed)

If someone had told me three years ago that i'd be designing logos one week and writing code the next - all while still in school - I woulld've laughed. But that's exactly what happened. Tis is the story of how i went g=from knowing nothing about tech to actually earing from it as a student.

🎨 The Beginning - My First Love Was Design

I started my journey with graphics design at Evans Computer Institute. Back then, I didn't have a laptop - I used a borrowed one to learn the basics of Photoshop and canva.

At first, my designs were terrible (like, really bad 😂). But I stayed consistent — watching tutorials, practising daily, and designing flyers for friends. Slowly, things changed. My designs improved, and people started offering to pay me. That first ₦3,000 I earned from a flyer design? It felt like a million.

💡 The Curiosity That Changed Everything

While designing, I often wondered how websites worked.
How did the buttons move?
Who wrote the text animations I saw on landing pages?

That curiosity pushed me toward software development. I didn’t know where to start, but I decided to give it a try anyway. I enrolled in a tech institution to learn full-stack development, and suddenly, a new world opened up — HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and all those scary-looking codes that used to confuse me.

It wasn’t easy. I failed countless times.
But every time a line of code worked, it felt like magic.

🧠 Balancing School and Skills

My classes run from 7 AM to 12 PM. After that, I have from 3 PM to 9 PM free. Instead of wasting that time scrolling on social media, I made it my “growth hours.”

• 3–5 PM → Learning new coding concepts or practising designs

• 5–7 PM → Working on client projects or mock websites

• 7–9 PM → Watching tutorials or improving past designs

It’s not always easy to stay consistent, but every small effort adds up.

💰 Turning Knowledge Into Income

Once I got better, I began offering graphics design and web-related gigs on platforms like Fiverr and to local clients. I didn’t make millions, but I made progress.

I also joined Konnect.ng, where I now share my journey, tips for students, and small ways to make money online. What I love about Konnect is that I can earn from my views and engagement — not just from clients. Every post feels like an investment in my growth.

🚀 What I’ve Learned Along the Way

1. Start small, but start today. You don’t need everything figured out — just take one step.

2. Use what you have. I started with a borrowed laptop and free tools.

3. Be consistent. One hour daily is better than 10 hours once in a month.

4. Share your journey. People connect with real stories — not perfection.

5. Never stop learning. Tech changes fast; your curiosity should move faster.

🔥 Final Words

I’m still a student — still learning, still building. But now, I’m earning while studying, and that’s something I’m proud of.

If you’re reading this and wondering where to start — start with what you know, learn as you go, and never underestimate how far a few hours a day can take you.

“Consistency turns ordinary students into extraordinary creators.”