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Angel Smith
1,590 PointsTook a couple month break from coding and finding it difficult to jump back in. Any advice?
I'm a decent ways in the C# track, and I felt like I was really understanding each concept and being able to implement them pretty well. I even started on a little side project I coded from scratch. Unfortunately, some personal issues cause a lull in my learning and I haven't coded anything in like 2-3 months.
I went back to the course to try to pick it up, and I'm completely lost. I even have been taking notes and looked over that, but it's just not coming as naturally now. I feel like I've taken several steps back and am feeling really discouraged.
Does anyone have any tips on how to quickly regain my progress?
3 Answers
Katie Wood
19,141 PointsHi Angel,
It can be really easy to lose your "feel" for the syntax if you don't use it for a bit. If I need to pick a language back up, I usually quickly look up how the basic syntax works for that language (variables, loops, functions, objects) to jog my memory. After that, I try to build something simple, or if it's specifically something I learned on Treehouse I try to go back over courses I've taken, and skip to the quizzes and challenges to see if I can "test out" of each section. If I don't remember things, I'll review the videos, but I'll skip ones that I can pass the quizzes/challenges for, because that generally indicates that I remember that material well enough to continue. It takes some time, but a lot less than completely going over everything again.
I can't say what works well for me will work well for everybody, but hopefully this helps somewhat. Good luck, and whatever you end up doing, keep at it! It'll come back :)
Angel Smith
1,590 PointsThanks, Katie! I appreciate your answer. I actually was considering just going back through the courses (I mean, it takes more time, but perhaps it'll instill all the knowledge in me even more doing it twice.) but I like the idea of "testing out" to see if I remember it already, so I can move on. I'll give that a go, thank you!
Katie Wood
19,141 PointsAwesome - have fun!
Henrik Christensen
Python Web Development Techdegree Student 38,322 PointsMy way of doing it is very similar to what Katie suggest.
I just re-watch the videos and skip the tests/quizzes and after each course I try make a small program implementing what I just learned from the course :-)
Angel Smith
1,590 PointsI feel silly for not thinking of doing that, but that's such a good idea! I would try to do the suggested programs at the end of a whole part, but I think it might help more to break it down a bit more. It'll instill it better in my mind probably too. Thanks so much, Henrik! (:
Henrik Christensen
Python Web Development Techdegree Student 38,322 PointsYou're welcome :-)
Njemile Moore
1,928 PointsThank you Katie! Brilliant answer. I was just about to start from the Intro screen and do it all over. Very helpful suggestion.
Robert Bennett
11,927 PointsYES... I found myself in the same spot everyday. But, I plow every day 5 - 10 hours a day for the last 4 months. How do I get out of the rut? I joined meetup groups and meet a lot of other coders. You can google it and find coding groups in your area. By searching meet up groups I joined Wordpress, Angular and JavaScript groups. We meet once a month or twice a month per group. I meet a lot of awesome people with different skill sets - this is what I found out. You can not be a lone wolf in this! Now; I am helping to set up a wordcamp for Wordpress in the California area. I also go on you tube and find coders that made it. Code phase is one of them and Chris Sean is another. Both of these coders used treehouse and made it! Both of them make around $100,000.00 a year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrzkbXOztYs this is the link to youtube interview both of them talking. These guys are average people that made it out and have great jobs and a a good life.
Angel Smith
1,590 PointsPerhaps you meant this for a different thread because I don't really feel like it answers my question?
I understood it fine while I was learning it but I took a long break, so that's why I need advice on getting back into it. But thanks for your suggestion on meetups. I've thought about it for sure! I live in a big city where technology is booming so I'm sure there's plenty, so maybe I'll try a few to see if I like some workshops and stuff.
Robert Bennett
11,927 PointsAngel Smith thank you for the response back. I hoped it helped.
Njemile Moore
1,928 PointsNjemile Moore
1,928 PointsThank you Angel for posting this question. I have dealt with this on and off for years and just threw my hands up. It takes courage to say you feel discouraged and ask for help. Had I thought of asking before, my breaks would not have lasted so long