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Vinny Montini
152 PointsStudy techniques, What have you been doing that Works and shows results.
I am a first timer and have gone through some of the HTML course. I seek to hear what other folks have been able to do while at tree house that have been able to accelerate the learning process? Like do people take Notes in a Notebook? Do people have other techniques of absorbing the material ? With good intention of becoming a ruby on rails Developer is there any sources of Test projects or experiment applications. ?
3 Answers
Jason Anders
Treehouse Moderator 145,860 PointsHi Vinny,
I personally do take notes. I think I've filled a half dozen so far (and gone through a few pens too).
I've found that just practicing and working on it everyday really helps. Here on Treehouse, I spend a little bit in the community answering other students' questions on material that I have learned already. Sometimes I don't remember the answer, so with those, I review, look up, refresh, and then provide the answer... but in doing that, I refreshed my memory on a topic that was slipping. So... by teaching I am learning.
Just keep practicing and keep coding! :)
Josh Kilen
13,089 PointsHey Vinny,
This is a really great question! The thing about programming (from my vast 2 months of learning experience, 1 month on Treehouse) is that practice may not make perfect, but it will help you figure out how the code works. Taking handwritten notes CAN help with information retention, but you have to try it out and see if it helps. As for Rails projects, go through the Track, do the project with the instructor, and when you finish try extending the class project to include new functionality.
If you want more than surface knowledge of programming, you have to practice writing your own code. You don't have to write your own from scratch, but adding on new features to Treehouse's Rails projects will teach you a ton about how Ruby and Rails work, in addition to HTML and CSS.
Just keep practicing, taking classes, and working on modifying code.
Lea Ingold
11,841 PointsI first watch the video without taking notes or trying type along with the exercises. I let it soak in. Then I pause at the end and type the code in like in the exercise. This helps me to not be distracted with writing or typing. Sometimes the instructor goes so fast, it is easy to miss something important.