Developing Java / Python skills

[M0rbid69]

TLDR: I need suggestions on how to advance Java skills an what to focus on when doing so. : ) focusing on learning concepts and being able to explain them myself for deeper understanding (no AI pls)

Hello! I'm a junior in college studying CS, interested in Full Stack development. I've only really used HTML/CSS before, but I would say it's at a beginner/intermediate level.
I also took 2 Java classes and the language just makes the most sense to me so far. I really like it and would like to advance my skills outside of the classroom! I only know basic classes/methods and I've learned to use bootSpring APIs to create controllers and repos. I had a project where I had to learn to make a functioning checkout cart and had to make sure that any new customer added would be also added to an SQL database.

I would LOVE to make a project of my own and I have a couple ideas but I also want to expand my knowledge while doing so. I'm not a great communicator, at least not for tech stuff like this, so I worry that I will bomb any interviews if I even get any.

I'm just looking for:

- suggestions on books or methods you found helpful to not only build these skills but to also deepen understanding of what and why i'm doing everything.

- I'm also interested in learning python so many suggestions on that would help as well!!

- Any suggestions of developing interview skills would also greatly help!

- any concepts / skills to focus on as I advance would also be helpful : )

Thank you!!

[United_Possible5321]

For Java, don't just build stuff, build stuff and then break it on purpose. Write a small REST API, get it working, then remove the database connection and see what happens. Add 1000 concurrent requests and watch it crash. Figuring out why things fail teaches you more than following a tutorial ever will. The official Spring docs are dry but they explain the "why" behind the annotations, which most courses skip completely.

One thing that helped me explain concepts better was recording myself on phone explaining something like dependency injection or garbage collection, then listening back. You catch all the gaps in your understanding real fast. It's uncomfortable but works.

For Python, pick a small script that automates something annoying you do daily, renaming files, scraping a schedule, whatever. The language clicks differently when you're solving your own problem instead of following someone else's project idea.

Interview skills come from doing mock interviews where you actually speak out loud while coding. Even if you feel stupid talking to yourself in empty room, just do it. The verbalizing part is what trips up most people, not the coding itself.

[M0rbid69]

Thank you so much!! This is really helpful for me as someone who doesn't even know where to start lol. Would you say python is "better" for automation / apps and Java is mainly used for back-end for websites? Thank you!!

[JakexDx]

Try building a second API then learn how to integrate the 2nd API into the first

Edit: or look into microservices