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Arcee Palabrica
8,100 PointsGot overwhelmed
Before I jump to the next step of the course I always make sure I understand the concepts that's why it took me a while to get to this step. My problem though is that everytime there are new codes or concept implemented I get overwhelmed easily and tend to doubt myself whether I would still recall the other topics. I mean I'm happy that I've come this far as a beginner but I still don't know how confident I will become after finishing the course. Hope you get what I mean. Or I dont know maybe I just need some encouragement or just wanna know if someone in here is in the same shoes as I am or was before. But still all I can say is that teamtreehouse has helped me a lot in reaching a new milestone in terms of gaining a new skill.
8 Answers
Viktor Khon
2,798 PointsHey guys, just wanted to say that I am pretty much in the same boat as you are, learning Java for about 2 weeks with no prior coding experience. I am basically going back and forth between teamtreehouse, Java A beginner's Guide, and Head First Java books, as some of them explain different concepts better than others.
The way it works for me once I get stuck, I go to another reference and try to learn the same subject, just written differently and then I come back here to watch a few videos back to see where I am stuck and if it makes more sense now after I got some additional info. Works OK so far since I've made it this far. Even though this last video was kind of overwhelming indeed. Though if we keep at it we will definitely crack the code of coding.
Best of luck to all of you!
Vlad Gheorghe
1,987 PointsI am having the same experience. Don't worry! A big part of the problem is with this course IMHO. I'm doing the Java Track and it has jumped from the very basics, to building a full script which is distributed in three different files, and on top of that adds a lot of new concepts. It's simply too much. Besides, my code got messed up in the process so that it doesn't display the progress anymore, and I have no idea how to fix it. It would be useful if the course provided a reference file with all the right code so you could check where you screwed up.
Arcee Palabrica
8,100 PointsWell aside form the Treehouse workspace I apply the codes on a separate IDE to help me understand and practice coding. I'm not sure if that's a good idea.
Also sometimes I just get a little impatient and couldn't wait until I get to the end of the track. Do you think it's just normal at this point for beginners to tend to forget a few topics? Or do I really need to master each track before I move on to the next - making sure not a stone is left unturned (even if it would cause me to slow down)? what are your experiences in learning java as a beginner?
Vlad Gheorghe
1,987 PointsYes, working separately in an IDE sounds like a great idea. Which one are you using by the way? About your question, it depends on your own philosophy of learning. I don't like to worry too much about knowing everything perfectly. You're getting a lot of stuff thrown at you so it's only normal that you should forget some. I like to focus on understanding everything to the best of my possibilities. If some things are not perfectly clear, or they slip my memory, I trust that all this will be solved as long as I keep myself immersed in the language. At the end of the Objects course I'm going to think up another game and get to work at designing my own script, which will consolidate me on the details. So how I do it is like this:
Course --> Understand the concepts, get the big picture, and copy what is being done ------- Personal project --> Study the problems, fill in the details, check what I've missed
Arcee Palabrica
8,100 PointsI have zero programming skill before taking this java course. I started out reading java books but my problem with books is, unlike here in treehouse, there's no community to ask help from if there's a topic I don't understand. I'm also on the last part of Java Objects. It took me more than 2 weeks to get here. It's really a crawl for me.
Like you I'm also gonna be working hard to become confident in java. Let's see. After java maybe I will be taking android.
Vlad Gheorghe
1,987 PointsIf you get really stuck or want to understand some things better, consider also trying Pyhton. It is much simpler
Arcee Palabrica
8,100 PointsIs python easier to learn than java?. I haven't really looked at it yet but ill consider that. Thanks Vlad Gheorghe
Vlad Gheorghe
1,987 PointsIt is!
Passavudh Sabpisal
4,474 PointsYou should not judge a topic by it's difficulty. You have to always try your best then you will succeed. It's all about how hard you work for it, not how difficult it is. Me too, I'm having trouble grasping some concept but I try rewatching TreeHouse video repetitively but not too much because many people in real life just look stuff up on Google if they forget a topic. I am not trying to advertise or anything, and I am not trying to make TreeHouse look bad, but sometimes I take a break on TreeHouse and use resources from other websites and apps because you should always try to learn from as much resources that is available to you. To help you learn I want to recommend you some great resources to refresh your skills: Javvy App by Mimohello GmbH: It is one of the very best apps that offers great tips and techniques regarding Java, and it is easy to use and follow. (Javvy is available on GPlay and Apple App Store) Youtube Channel called "CodeMonkeyCharlie" explain in detailed about what Java and it's a great tool to use to refresh your skills, he also talks about using IDEs. FYI: I prefer using IntelliJ IDE more than Eclipse or Netbeans.
Passavudh Sabpisal
4,474 PointsHope that helps!
Arcee Palabrica
8,100 PointsThanks for sharing your idea Vlad... I'm using Eclipse right now although I've tried Netbeans but I prefer the former. May I ask how long have you been learning Java and far have you gone through the Java course here in treehouse?
Vlad Gheorghe
1,987 PointsI think it's little more than a week, but I haven't been working every day because I have other stuff now. Anyway I finished Java Basics and I'm almost finishing Java Objects, though I'm really stuck at the moment. All my prior experience consists in some small courses with Python which gave me a rough idea of programming. I'm really looking forwards at getting my hands dirty with Java and gaining some confidence at scripting. What about you?
Arcee Palabrica
8,100 PointsHey Viktor Im also using Java The Complete Rederence and Headfirst as my reference. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Anthony Albertorio
22,624 PointsI'd check this post related to the steps to mastery of any topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuhari