Welcome to the Treehouse Community
Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.
Looking to learn something new?
Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.
Start your free trial
Alex Lee
742 PointsQuestion about remembering stuff please help!!!
Hello, I want to introduce myself as I am new to the site. My name is Alex and I am here because I want to become a Front End Developer. I want to start by telling my story then I will ask the question.
So today was my FIRST day using Team Tree House literally my absolute first day. I broke my leg at work about a month ago(still getting paid every week). I needed something to do while I sit home all day because I have a long recovery time(6-8 months) and I REALLY don't want to go back to my old job so I decided to give coding a try. I've always had an itch to try to learn coding but I never went through with but NOW I think is the perfect time. I have ABSOLUTELY ZERO BACKGROUND in coding not even how to code my name.
I've come up with a plan to help me stay on course which I think is good. I will spend my days home like a normal work day. I will work on Treehouse and coding from 7am to 4pm with 3 breaks in between 15 mins followed by 30 mins(lunch) followed by another 15 mins later in the day. I will stop working at 4pm and then run a quick review/practice session later that night.
Today was my first day following this schedule and my first day doing any type of coding. I must say I had A LOT of fun working today but here's were my problem comes in. I got to the review session and I think I forgot most of what I learned well thought I learned. Some stuff I remember though.( I also take notes on paper)
My question are:
Is this normal to forget some stuff like this? Am I overworking? What can I do to help me retain info?
I know its the first day for me and I may be overreacting but I thought I would remember more than I did.
6 Answers
Jason Anders
Treehouse Moderator 145,860 PointsHey Alex,
Welcome to Treehouse. I think you will find much enjoyment and education here. :)
As for remembering everything... there probably isn't a coder in the world that 'remembers' everything. This is why there is so much documentation on the web, sites like Stack Overflow, and forums for you to ask questions.
In the beginning, it will seem overwhelming, but as you progress and practice, key components will stick... anything else, you just look up.
I think you should read this awesome Treehouse Blog Post by Andrew Chalkley.
Good luck, and enjoy you new Coding Adventure! :)
Alex Lee
742 PointsFirst, I want to thank you a ton for replying so fast. Second, thanks for the blog. Last, should I practice by making more websites?
Darrell Conklin
Python Development Techdegree Student 22,377 PointsI've run into many instances where I had to redo an entire module just to make it sink in. As far as how well you remember I think that's different for everyone but the more I use what I'm learning the more natural it feels to me.
Also speeding through a course, I feel, is the wrong approach. Re-watch a video, read the teacher's notes and practice what you just learned as many times as it takes to really wrap your head around what you're learning. Also the more I learn the easier it feels for me to learn the next thing even if it's another language entirely. I also feel enjoying what you're doing helps to retain it that much more.
Also, if you haven't done any studying in general in a while it may take you a while to get back into the swing of learning again, I know it did me.
Darrell Conklin
Python Development Techdegree Student 22,377 PointsAlso, I used the word "also" a lot.
Alex Lee
742 PointsThank you for the response bro. I know with it being my first day I'm probably overreacting
Trevor Woodman
Courses Plus Student 13,354 PointsThat's a pretty good schedule, good job dude.
In response to your first question "is this normal to forget some stuff like this", I'm by no means an expert, but I forget things, and even in the videos you'll see instructors forget things. There's so much stuff when it comes to Web Development, nobody expects you to remember it all. That's what Google is for. :)
Overworking, that depends. Do you feel overworked? 7-4 is a strict schedule, I personally have a job that lets me work all night on things, so I usually work for about 12 hours straight with a few breaks. I enjoy it though, so I don't consider it 'overworking'. Do what your brain lets you do, if you feel tired or overworked, don't force your brain to work harder, take a break instead.
Retaining info is as simple as repetition, the longer you work at learning the concepts and information the easier it will come. I remember first starting out and forgetting HTML tags, and things as simple as putting <!DOCTYPE html> at the start of every html document. In time it comes very naturally. Much like any skill.
In summary, don't worry about remembering things. The more you do stuff, the easier it will become. Do the lessons, make sure to follow along, even start your own projects. Make a personal website, improve it as you learn new things. Doing things outside the lessons will compound your learning because you'll have to look up how to do things, and read a lot.
Most importantly, have fun doing it. Because what's the point of learning something as awesome as Web Development if you're not having fun?
Alex Lee
742 PointsFirst, Thanks for the response I TRULY appreciate it. Nice to have a supportive community. From my first day I can tell you exactly what I remember and it stuck lol
<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <head></head> <body></body> </html>
There's a little more that stuck in between but not everything.
Aditya Sheode
1,291 PointsHello Alex :)
It is absolutely normal too forget stuff.. Just keep practicing I'd personally recommend not doing too much in one day.. This will allow the concept to sink in,, But if you find it comfortable feel free to do what you are comfortable with See you around! :)
corey plummer
1,584 PointsHow are you doing with your learning?
Jay Padzensky
4,731 PointsJay Padzensky
4,731 PointsWelcome, Alex!
Thank you for studying coding with Treehouse! I love your enthusiasm and schedule for learning with us. I may suggest to first make manageable study goals. The "honeymoon" phase will fade at some point and you don't want your daily goal to turn into a slogfest every day- that's the perfect way to burn out. Be flexible (no pun intended with your current state, sorry -_- ) and accept the days that you just need a break from it or can't do a full eight hours.
Next, consider the ways you best learn and maximize those. For some, solo video learning works amazingly well; for others, myself included, it can be difficult. As a result, I tend to always leave captions on and read while following the videos. I also pause and take notes via Evernote pretty frequently. While this can add several minutes to each video, for me, it's a critical component to how I learn, as I read, write, and listen to create multiple ways of interacting with the content. I then have notes I can review an hour, day, and week after learning the material to continue to solidify my understanding. Continue to find what works best for you!
Finally, utilize whatever resources you have to help manifest motivation, additional learning, opportunities for practice, etc. You're already using the Treehouse Community, which is awesome. Feel free to use supplemental learning materials and surround yourself by coding. Have Instagram? Follow some coding accounts. Like to read forums? Reddit has additional learning communities, including the robust communities of each language (e.g. Python, PHP, or front end work)
Like anything else in life you learn, it takes practice and repetition. If you've never written or seen HTML before in your life, nice work remembering elements and formatting! That's where you start. Keep up the hard work and I wish you speed in your recovery!