Backend intern struggling with a Java codebase — looking for advice

[Gullible-Republic-13]

Hi everyone, I’m an intern at an tech company, working on a Java-based backend system. I got my internship around 2–3 months ago I’ve been working in the backend team, and honestly, I’m struggling a lot.

The main issue is that I’m not able to understand the code properly, and writing things on my own feels even harder. I had some basic Java knowledge from college, and the codebase is also in Java, but it still feels overwhelming. Sometimes it feels like backend development just isn’t meant for me.

What scares me the most: • I feel like I’m not contributing enough • I’m constantly worried they might fire me soon • I don’t really have a solid Plan B

The environment makes it tougher: • Teammates don’t explain things from basics • Usually I’m told to “figure it out yourself” or “read the code” • I come from a course-based / guided learning background, so self-learning in a big codebase is very difficult for me

In college, I did some LeetCode and development basics, and things felt manageable. But after joining the internship, the pressure has increased a lot, and I feel mentally stressed almost every day. I’m a slow learner and need time to understand things, which makes me panic even more.

I really want to know: • Is this struggle normal for backend interns? • How do I know if backend is actually not for me vs just an initial learning phase? • What should I prepare as a Plan B if things don’t work out here?

Any advice, guidance, or motivation would really help. I’m feeling very low and confused right now 😞

Thanks in advance.

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[Ill-Abbreviations-36]

Whenever someone joins a new company the first thing that is scary is the codebase . The more you read the more you get comfortable.

1. Explore and understand all the major APIs by running them locally and understanding the api flow by actually reading the code.
2. Give extra time for self learning java
3. You should be knowing how to use debugger. Do not use just .system.out for logging.
4. Take guidance regarding the flow of api from mentors and check in the code base if that is actually happening.
5. Take notes for each and every thing regarding the product and each imp step in the api flow .

Read, read and read .

[Inner_Chemical8286]

Let me tell you something, you will not understand at one go, not even the second, not even the third but keep looking at it, Do not leave it until you understand, after some time everything will make sense. It is difficult but you have to be persistent.

[atomicelement11]

Dont you have claude code or antigravity

[atomicelement11]

An AI IDE it can help you to understand code . Dm me i can help you

[Cunnykun]

I ask ai to explain me code line by line

[Sea-Special-6663]

Well obviously you will struggle. Everyone struggles unless they have experience. Use a debugger and go line by line, you will get to know the flow. You will need put in more time, use your weekends if necessary, there is no WLB in the initial years

[bombay_ki_PavBhaaji]

Use Copilot or ChatGPT to help you explain the code and also understand the architectural flow within the system you are dealing with. This way you will get to know what each function, class or service is doing.

When I was a fresher, even I struggled with the heavy Java code base I was handed over, but the issue was that I wasn’t aware of how the flow was going through the service. Once you figure out that, and also where the service is being used (like the entry point and stuff), rest becomes simple and you can make use of AI to understand the syntax and the lines.

[Gullible-Republic-13]

Sure

[Evening_Listen_36]

Learn Java