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Joe Dayvie
11,956 PointsFeeling Overwhelmed/Taking Notes
Howdy - So I have been focusing on HTML/CSS and then worked my way up to Javascript at the moment. I then went into iOS just to dabble and see what that was like since Swift is so new and many are talking about it. I am going to go back to Javascript and focus there to improve my foundation to programming but I now feel overwhelmed.
When others are going through these courses, do you fully understand everything prior to moving on or try to get main concepts and return when needed? Do you stop at points for a period of time to practice a bit yourself? How about taking notes - Do you bother to take them or just refer back when needed?
Thank you! =)
PS: I will also add I (personally) have a hard time understanding/remembering concepts when I cannot visualize how I would use them. Everything with Javascript is with console.log and while it helps, it inhibits me from grasping how these aspects are used in an interactive environment. I understand its to learn main concept and hopefully I will see them be put to use soon?
Joe Dayvie
11,956 PointsMeg,
Thank you =) I remember having Evernote on my iPhone a while back but never used it much. Maybe I will give that a try. I have Xcode too since I was recently trying Swift. My overall problem is when I learn, I need to have a system to keep notes and I have not been able to do so. Its difficult to watch and interact with the lessons while typing out notes. Something like you said with Evernote seems great as that is what I need. Some notes I made on my workplaces I created, some are in word documents that I just need to organize, etc. I just feel unorganized and it makes it worse for me. Throughout my college career, I always had methodical notes and I suppose my issue is trying to find a way this time around. Thank you for the tip on Evernote and I will check it out now =)
4 Answers
Dustin Matlock
33,856 PointsHey Joe! Good to see you here. To answer your question—no! I'd say a large majority of people hardly ever grasp JavaScript from the beginning, so that's not out of the normal at all. Some find even learning PHP for starters provides a foundation that allows JavaScript to be learned a little easier later on.
The short answer is there's no simple solution, other than to keep trying until you start to grasp certain things. At that point, you'll start to learn more, and it will speed up. Learning to code is a slow process sometimes. I think the key is to try and not get discouraged, and of course, never give up! Taking breaks, doing other things, etc., will sometimes allow the subconscious mind to work out the learning for you, so you grasp it later. Make the breaks short, so you don't forget too much, but take them. At least this has been my experience.
If you're one to take notes and feel like a more methodical approach works for you—maybe check out the Janki Method.
P.S. I'm also a visual learner, so I hear you there. I love diagrams and mindmaps. I wanted to share this diagram with you. It helps paint a picture on what to learn, depending which route you decide to go. It doesn't include mobile app development though.
Joe Dayvie
11,956 PointsDustin,
Thank you - Nice to see you too! Thats good to know =) I understand the concepts, thats not a problem. I would say my main issues are 1: Visualizing WHY I would use certain methods, objects, functions, etc. and 2: The syntax - I feel this would greatly improve if I could just find myself to get organized with notes may want to read my above response if you wish. Ultimately, hand written is silly and finding an organized method has been difficult for me.
Certainly have been taking breaks as I really do, love programming and all I have learned thus far. I don't want to push myself so much I grow to lose that passion I do have (especially after an already stressful 40+ hour work week). I will look into the Janki Method and see what that is about (never heard of it) - Thank you.
PS: Thank you for that graphic - Its nice to see something that explains where particular programs fall in the industry.
Tommy Gebru
30,164 PointsHey Dustin,
Great to see other moderators recommending Janki Method, I hope to put this to use and benefit.
Bob Sutherton
20,160 PointsThis is the first I've heard of it. I am checking it out now.
Bob Sutherton
20,160 PointsYO YO YO! A few things. First I have experimented with taking notes and not taking notes. I have never liked taking notes, in school or anywhere else. So that didn't last very long for me. But I have continued to develop my own learning style with the focus mainly on "what works for me" and not what works for other people. If something works for others I will experiment with it only to see if it works FOR ME.
Second thing, relax. I can't learn anything if I am too overzealous. Your anxiety for results can interfere with concentration. Did you just hear that "ting"?
Third, I keep W3schools website handy. They are a great reference and have things laid out very simplistically. They are a great supplement to Treehouse courses.
Balancing course progress with playtime. You can play in a place like codepen. Since you are visual, like me, you can see the effects of your code instantly. You can lay a foundation for your knowledge with the videos, but for me playing with it makes it my own.
Create a project for someone who is expecting it. This serves as hands on learning and implementation as well as that extra motivation to work on it and the fun of getting their feedback.
(For javascript, console.log was boring for me too! I recommend using w3schools particularly with javascript while you continue to go through the videos.)
Well, I'm not a master coder, but these are things that have been helpful for me. Hope this helps!
Joe Dayvie
11,956 PointsJames,
Thank you for your input. Personally I have always been a fan of notes as a reference (but they must be concise and organized!). Your second point I do have to work on - Anxiety always gets the best of me.
w3schools - I have heard some very mixed reviews about that site but will keep that in mind. I have visited that site many times over the years.
Good to know others found the console.log aspect boring. I appreciate your words again, thank you.
PS: I do need to explore a bit on sites like code pen, Github, etc. as I have never been to any of them.
Bob Sutherton
20,160 PointsNo problem, Joe. Another thing just came to mind. I'm not sure it it's useful to you, but last night I happened to hear a radio show where the DJ was talking about a scientific study that people remember things better when reading physical books as opposed to e-readers. Something about the physical act of turning the page (and maybe the smell of the book too) engages the memory more that electronic reading. So, I'm not sure if that's up your alley, but having a good book on Javascript or any other subject that troubles you might help. At the very least you would have something to read while on the commode!
And one last thing. For anxiety, have you ever tried taking niacin? It can be gotten in an over the counter vitamin supplement. I was reading about it's possible anxiety relieving effects and got some yesterday. I notice and difference (OCD) when I take it and I don't think it is just a placebo effect.
(This comment is not intended to prevent or cure any diseases.)
Joe Dayvie
11,956 PointsJames,
I appreciate that too. Treehouse is certainly my current hub for a wealth of knowledge; however, I actually began with a JavaScript book I purchased (also an Intro to Python book but haven't read yet). I am open to any/all reliable resources as I know the more I can learn the better. Additionally, its all about repetition and playing with code myself - I can sit and learn/read but if I do not use it, I will never fully learn.
Thank you =)
PS: Just downloaded Evernote now and will give it a try for JS.
Dustin Matlock
33,856 PointsJames Callahan, what you said is very interesting. Thanks!
Joe Dayvie
11,956 PointsJames,
No, I have not. I have tried quite a few things (which the only thing that does help is simple meditation. I need to work on doing that more often again but I have not been great at doing so lately. I suffer from anxiety and have for a while now but nothing has really helped. Thank you for that and I will have to go by the local store and give it a try.
Juan Francisco Andrade Álvarez
23,997 PointsHi Joe Dayvie
Read this article: http://buff.ly/1v1PtmH
It gives a some suggestions about IO: Information Overload, which just points out how you have felt learning technology or working with it. I think everyone in the industry at least once has felt the same. The important thing is to balance life, learning and work as much as one can.
Good luck!
Meg Cusack
11,448 PointsMeg Cusack
11,448 PointsHi Joe- I use a few things to help me remember. I use Evernote to take notes while watching the lectures. I have a notebook called Treehouse, and then within that notebook, I have a note for each class I have taken. Evernote is great because you can search by any word and it is on all my devices. I paste in code I've written and also paste in screen shots of code from whatever app I am using (currently Xcode because I am in Swift Basics). The negative on the console.log is that there is no way to save it right there- I really rely on saving my past code. For example, tonight I was doing the Fizz Buzz challenge at the end of a section. I had previously done that in Ruby and saved the code. I was able to copy and paste much of it and then adapt it for Swift. I also use http://www.gistboxapp.com/ to save code snippets of things I have learned with explanations about it.
I forget things quickly so I rely heavily on notes. Hope these ideas help. Meg