If you’re a junior developer, code reviews can feel like the scariest part of your job. You put in hours of work, make sure your feature works perfectly, and then a senior drops a long list of comments on your pull request. It can feel overwhelming, and sometimes, even discouraging. But here’s the thing: code reviews aren’t just about catching mistakes; they’re about learning, improving, and growing as a developer.
This article is the first in a series exploring code reviews beyond the basics. In the upcoming articles, we’ll dive deeper into specific aspects — how to give and receive feedback effectively, best practices for reviewing different types of code and how to integrate code reviews seamlessly into agile workflows. Stay tuned as we uncover ways to make code reviews a powerful tool for better software and stronger teams. Find list of articles in this series below,
When you’re new to coding, every pull request (PR) feels like a test. You’ve already spent time making sure your code works, so seeing a bunch of comments can feel like someone telling you, “You did it wrong.” But that’s not the case at all. Here’s why code reviews might feel intimidating:
But guess what? Every senior engineer was once in your shoes. Code reviews are not an exam — they’re a collaboration. The more you engage with them, the faster you grow.
When you submit code, it might work perfectly fine, but a senior engineer might suggest a refactor. That doesn’t mean your code is wrong — it means there’s an opportunity to improve it.
As a junior, one of the best skills you can develop is knowing when a suggested change is worth doing now, and when it’s tech debt that can be improved later. If you’re unsure, ask
This shows that you’re thinking critically, rather than just blindly accepting changes.
Deadlines often push juniors to write working code quickly, which is fine. But cutting corners repeatedly leads to tech debt — issues that will slow down development later.
When a senior suggests a better approach, don’t just see it as extra work — see it as a chance to avoid future headaches. If something feels like a big refactor, discuss it,
This kind of thinking separates an average developer from a great one.
Juniors often feel pressure to deliver fast, but rushing can lead to messy, hard-to-maintain code. Code reviews help you understand when to slow down and focus on quality.
A good mindset is: “Code isn’t just for the computer, it’s for other developers to read too.” Clean, well-structured code makes future changes easier.
When you get feedback, instead of thinking “Ugh, more work”, try thinking “How can I make my code cleaner next time, so fewer changes are needed?”
Sometimes, a PR comes back with 10+ comments, and it feels like your entire code is wrong. It’s not. Here’s how to handle it:
Code reviews are not a personal attack. They’re a tool to level up your skills.
Not every code review comment is equally important. Some are essential (security, performance, correctness), while others are subjective (style, small optimizations).
As a junior, you don’t have to accept every single change without thinking. It’s okay to push back when needed,
Instead of waiting until your PR is fully complete, get early feedback,
This saves time and makes the review process smoother.
Code reviews aren’t just for seniors — juniors can participate too. Even if you’re not an expert, you can still,
Some organizations allow juniors to add comments on PRs — if yours does, take advantage of it! The more you engage in reviews, the more you’ll grow.
Code reviews shouldn’t feel like a test. They’re a way to collaborate, learn, and write better code together.
The best juniors aren’t the ones who write perfect code. They’re the ones who take feedback, learn from it, and improve over time. That’s how you go from fear to confidence.