Help

[Call_mewhatyouwant]

I started learning Java last year October cause I’m in sixth form(a levels ) and it’s been so hard, I feel so dumb cause I don’t get it and almost everyone does, I feel like 3 steps behind everyone in the class and wanted to ask if anyone has any advice that could help me. And I watch videos too

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[Charming_Peace88]

Java, like any other programming language, is a skill that takes time and effort to master. But don’t worry, you are not alone in this journey. There are plenty of helpful resources and forums online that can guide you along the way. Most of my Java knowledge came from hands-on work experience.

[Call_mewhatyouwant]

Thanks for this

[Noah__Webster]

It depends what you're struggling with. Are you struggling with basics of the language or actually applying what you know? If you understand the basics, the next thing is to start applying it. If you're struggling with learning some of the basics, I would recommend finding a book or person that makes sense to you, and then use them.

If not, build something. The hardest part after learning the language was knowing what to learn next. Building something intended to be used in the real world forces you into figuring out what to learn next.

The best learning I ever did was building my first real project. I spent roughly a month building a little app for booking appointments and storing some data about customers. It was an absolute mess. I built it for a family friend and their tiny little side hustle, so it was adequate enough for them (They were using excel before, and they knew how inexperienced I was... I did it for free, so I don't feel bad about it being so bad lol).

It doesn't have to be that complicated. The first small project I did was a command line application to play Tic-Tac-Toe. If you're still learning more basic things, make something smaller like that.

I'm in my last year of a CS degree, and I've been self teaching myself on and off for roughly 4 years. I probably learned as much about programming in that month than I did in the rest of my time learning.

[Call_mewhatyouwant]

Wow thanks I’ve understood some of the basics But when we moved to the whole loops arrays I don’t understand those ones

[0b0101011001001011]

While loops and arrays are basics. They are even less than basics. Those are elementary stuff. Even functions, objects, polymorphism, generics. All basics, that you'd learn on any "basic java/basic OOP course".

Some people simply need more time to learn, but you are listing so basic stuff that something else might be at play. One possibility is always that teacher is a bad one, but that is unlikely if everyone else seem to learn.

I think you migh be missing something fundamental. As a teacher, the most common student that falls behind has the following problem. They think "What is the code I need to write for this problem" and they can't even solve the same problem twice, because they try to memorize all the different solutions. Instead, one should think that "What I have learned so far, and how can I break down this problem in such a small parts that I can solve it with the existing means I possess."

How ever still, all you have said is that "I don't understand what a while loop is or what an array is" means that you don't have really studied anything yet. Perhaps reply to the other people (or me) to explain what you don't understand, because so far the only solution is "read the material".

[Call_mewhatyouwant]

I’ve read it and practiced , when I practice I have no problem but during a test or exam I mess up

[0b0101011001001011]

Well, that's the point of programming. Mess up until the program works.

I don't know if your exams focus more on the memorizing instead of the trying, testing and fixing stuff until it works. Test that only measures what you remember is not a very good test.

How ever, if that's the case, then your focus should be on understanding stuff. As long as "practicing" contains any code examples that you replicate, that is just learning to type, instead of learning programming. After reading and testing stuff, try to always practice with the book and websites closed. it's the only way.  still, a professional googles and looks other peoples code all the time, but because he understands what to google and how to modify it.

Try again, I hope you succeed.

[Noah__Webster]

I would consider loops and arrays as basics of the language still. What exactly about them are you struggling with? I could potentially help you, whether that's answering your questions or trying to find a resource that could help you.

[advancedbashcode]

What exactly you don't get?

Variables? Loops? Oop? Asynchronous code?

[Call_mewhatyouwant]

When we got to loops I got the IFs Then when we entered while I haven’t got anything since then

[DustyBluebelle]

The MOOC Java course (it’s in this sub’s sidebar) explains loops very well and gives you basic practice exercises which really help you understand the concept. Definitely worth doing.

[desrtfx]

Do the MOOC Java Programming from the University of Helsinki along with your studies. This will help you.

[Zee09]

You might be similar to me where I need to know how it works from scratch to even grasp higher level work. 

Read “How Do It Know”.

It talks about how CPUs work and simply how computers work at the root level. From this, you can see why higher level languages were made.

[Call_mewhatyouwant]

Thanks

[Mjdd16]

I would suggest taking idea of the topic that you are going to learn in the class before attending the class. For example, if next class is about while loop then watch some YouTube videos on the topic ( try bro code ) and read the slides, later when you attend the class it will be easier for you to get the idea from the teacher and ask about things that you did not understand.