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Diana Lescure
11,455 PointsI have some trouble understanding some topics...
I've been a Treehouse student for quite a while, but I haven't been so active like I've been for the past month or so, my problem is that, in some cases I have trouble understanding some teachers, so far I been struggling with:
-Andrew Chalkley: Is not the accent at all... is the way the videos are structured (?), I got all confused in the 4 P's and the comments that he was writing down in the code on the "Build an Interactive Website" course, I ended up watching the same videos more than 2 times and so far I'm still struggling with some concepts.
-Jim Hoskins: He is very clear and I can understand everything but after 4 minutes of video I get EXTREMELY sleepy, I found myself drooling over the keyboard and, obviously, I need to watch the video all over again, I think it has to do with the fact that he keeps his voice in a monotone way so it has the effect of relaxing me and making me drowsy, especially at the end of "JavaScript Foundations" after the topics "Prototypes", I had to get into another website to get this explained in order to be able to pass the challenges.
I know that the topics these two teachers have to explain are in some way difficult and they do their best and that I have to be very attentive and pay close attention to every piece of information they give me, but, I've read the replies of the questions in the forum and other students are making remarks about this too, I just needed to say this, and I don't mean in anyway to offend anybody, I think Treehouse is the best I've found over the internet to get my self educated in the topics I'm interested, so keep up the good work and... I don't know, I'm sorry I can't come up with a solution for this dilemma I have.
3 Answers
Kallil Belmonte
35,561 PointsAgree.
By the way, I think that Javascript/jQuery are not my strong kkkk...
Ricky Catron
13,023 PointsI think something that might work for you is active note taking. Simply listening allows you to get lulled off to keep active! Download an app like Evernote and take notes on the course as you go. You will have a better understanding AND a ton of note about each course (be sure to keep them organized somehow so you can refer back).
Don't feel like you have to watch the whole video at once. Watch part, pause, test what theyre talking bout, play with it, take notes, come back.
I to struggle with focus and most of what sticks is what I practice a lot. I have watched whole videos and nodded off because I was to tired to focus at 2am. My solution was sleep, wake up early, watch again, practice all day.
Goodluck! --Ricky
Diana Lescure
11,455 PointsHi Ricky!
Yes I've tried all of that, I even have a notebook filled to half with all the info I written down, I also practice in my Code Pen account a lot, to make sure I can replicate what Is currently happening in the course... so yeah...
I also change tracks once in a while when I feel stuck or simply change website to a different course about a different topic (for instance Photoshop) so I can come back "fresh".
Ricky Catron
13,023 PointsAlright! Next idea!
Something I try to do (yet never really do) is simply step away from the code for a while, disconnect entirely, no phone, computer, or tv. I find this helps my eyes a lot because they are not staring at a screen 18 hours a day.
A small weekend vacation of snowboarding works well for me as would camping , or a weekend with friends. The goal is simply let your mind rest from all the info you are shoveling in. Between work, coding, and life it gets full fast.
--Ricky
Diana Lescure
11,455 PointsI think you're right maybe I'm trying too hard and not taking enough breaks.
Thanks a lot for your replies.
Fred Sites
11,151 PointsI completely agree. Treehouse has been great getting off the ground but with the JS videos I felt like I was learning how to vaguely talk about javascript, but not how to actually write any of it.
I've found looking up simple javascript/jquery code challenges to be much more effective. Then it forces you to look for a solution to a simple and common problem. You'll end up writing loops, if/else statements, creating local and global variables etc.. all of which is covered in the videos. In no time, the videos will be much more obvious at what they are getting at and make a lot more sense.
Diana Lescure
11,455 PointsI see what you mean, I think I'll try that yes, thank you!