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Stephen Viesto
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Student 4,997 PointsStruggling to understand
I am taking the Java TechDegree and have been struggling through most of the challenges and some of the quizzes so far.
I have been following along and coding as the instructor codes, but I don't feel as if I'm taking it all in and learning all the concepts. It's definitely frustrating, but I'm determined to fight through it.
Does anyone have any advice or know of somewhere to learn more and practice all these concepts?
4 Answers
Philip Gales
15,193 PointsWhen I first learned Java (on my own before taking a year of it at a University), it was really hard to understand. Looking back at my first few programs/games it is clear I had no clue what I was doing.
After sticking with it and watching videos (my learning style) I understand it, and am able to build apps with little to no help. What really helped me was watching youtube videos (links below) and then watching treehouse videos and doing the challenges. After the Java track--on my old account--and creating some dumb games like hangman using the console, everything really set in.
My favorite youtube channel to watch before doing the treehouse content is [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBWX97e1E9g&list=PLE7E8B7F4856C9B19]. The point of the youtube channel was not to learn java, but to have an idea of what to expect. If treehouse had a video on arrays, I would scroll through Derek's youtube videos for arrays and watch it first.
Stephen Viesto
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Student 4,997 PointsI don't think there is one particular thing that I struggle with. I went through Java basics and I'm now going through objects. But it just kind of seems like a blur to me. I understand what the instructor is saying and the logic makes sense, but when it comes to the coding challenges, I feel stuck/lost. I think maybe more repetition before moving on to new videos may help? Or maybe when it comes to actually building a full program it will suddenly click and I will learn from it that way.
Thanks for the help, very much appreciated.
Florian Tönjes
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 50,856 PointsStephen Viesto why are you frustrated? Do you have the expectation of understanding everything and solving all the challenges right away? If they were easy they wouldn't be challenges, right? You have just started your Java journey. Is it not ok that you don't understand everything, yet?
Kind Regards, Florian
Simon Coates
28,695 Pointsum, on this this theme, it's good to be a little bit uncomfortable and to have that knowledge that you can look at subject matter that is a jump, and know that it's fine. Maybe you don't understand it now, but you will. (possibly related to growth mindset, or grit). That frustration is temporary is a good knowledge to have.
Stephen Viesto
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Student 4,997 PointsThank you for all the answers. I have found that YouTube has a few good tutorials as well, so watching those videos along with treehouse's has been a huge help.
You guys are right, if it wasn't challenging, it wouldn't be rewarding. Appreciate the help!
Simon Coates
28,695 PointsSimon Coates
28,695 Pointsany specific concepts that you're struggling with? A lot of people find Java pretty hard, so it can take a while for the idea for you to get your head around it. Not getting it is a normal reaction. There is other java material out there (lynda, pluralsight, udacity, even youtube or udemy), so watching some other explanations of java may help. In terms of practice, you can probably set up a local environment (requires installing the jdk and an IDE like eclipse, netbeans) and google java exercises (you can usually find some university that's posted exercises someplace google can index). It's okay to take a break and then revisit.