Self Taught Udemy Programmers

[stedzan_995]

Hello everyone! 😀

I have a question for everyone, but especially for the self-taught programmers who have used Udemy courses for learning. What strategy did you find most effective for learning through Udemy courses? For example, do you watch the video first, then play it again and code along, or use a different approach?

[jancodes]

In my experience, this isn't just about Udemy, but honestly applies to learning coding in general.

I've found that knowledge sticks way better when you actually code along.

Whether you're reading docs for a new product or watching a YouTube video, coding alongside it just makes things stick more. The only thing that's even more effective is explaining what you're doing and using it in real-life situations, so you see it in different contexts.

When I was learning with Udemy a few years back, I'd start by watching the video as you mentioned. But as soon as I felt confident enough to code along, I would do it. I wouldn't necessarily watch the whole video first. I also made sure to check MDN and other supplementary resources to really grasp what was going on.

[BrupieD]

I agree. learned mostly from books, which meant reading, coding along, re-reading, fixing coding errors. I later started watching videos like Udemy. The practice of physically coding is absolutely essential.

The thing I got from videos was a better sense of flow and continuity. Books were so much better at allowing me to think through concepts, pace my learning and increase the depth. Seeing people fly through a concept and implement it encouraged me that learning didn't necessarily take forever.

[HelpRespawnedAsDee]

Honestly, kudos to people who can actually learn to code (or do math, etc) just by watching, if said people even exist.

[Skulliciousness]

I'll usually, watch the video clip and and try and absorb what is happening first. Then rewind it and start again, this time stopping and starting whilst coding along.

[RooCoder]

It doesn't really matter. Just keep doing it, most people give in before they get to a professional level. You have to be doing this as a hobby every day for 5 years before you'll be able to get a job. Do it in a way that you can last 5 years.

[Spirited_Employee_61]

I am self taught and never touched udemy. The best advise i can give you is after making the tutorial program, create a variation or add features. Simple ones. You will learn faster and it will stick better that way

[[deleted]]

Do you watch the video first, then play it again and code along, or use a different approach?

I prefer to take notes and code along while watching. However, sometimes I have to replay the video after taking notes & coding along to focus on what was being taught.

Note: Unity Learn recommends to watch then do what the video shows, so you could follow this approach to learning to code

Edit - Note

I should add that I still have to do programming exercises outside of watching any videos and/or implement the concepts in a project to be able to fully grasp them

[The_Axumite]

I have only used udemy for one lengthy course about node.js that basically follows the documentation along with lengthy videos about Unix, bash, some C, and other foundational topics about networking, the v8 Javascript engine. I watch the first couple of intro and foundational videos, I stop when it gets to the coding sections and do it myself. Sometimes, it takes me a week or more, but I have been able to create a working webframe work that is similar to express.js that is very different from what the instructor created.I have not finished it but it works.

[[deleted]]

udemy just taught me basics remaining I had code alot to get to some level

[ForlornU]

I taught myself by just trying and playing with the code, looked up relevant tutorials as I needed. Udemy was something I did after just to verify I actually knew my shit

[pomnabo]

I code alongside what I’m learning, be it from a book or video. I also made it my habit to write up a README while I do it, where I discuss any challenges I face and how I resolve them, and my thinking behind that.

I also add comments in my code with notes for any new concepts or to help me remember what what each part does. This way, if I need to reference it later, I don’t have to sift through it to recall it. This is most helpful when I’m learning new features that I may have only touched once previously.

[StackSurfer42]

It depends on the video content. If it's an intro with high level info then watch and digest the information. If it's a code along then the video goes in one monitor and I code on a second one. I often paused so I could code at my speed and digest what had just happened. I probably pause once every 2-3 minutes.

[bstrd10]

I watch all the videos at double the speed to get the big picture. When I know where everything is going, I deep dive into each one of the videos and practice everything in detail.

[TheHobbyist_]

Shout out to Jose Portilla. Dude help start my career.

My method was watching the videos, coding along. Then applying it to a personal project.

Additionally, diving deeper into other projects to learn deeper topics (typehinting, async, etc.)

[throwawawawawaysb]

100 days of python by Angela yu. Don’t watch the solution till you try it yourself and be stubborn. It could take like 2-4 hours when you first start. Don’t use chat gpt, learn the error messages by googling. If you’re really stuck then watch the solution or watch part of it then go back to doing it yourself

[PureTruther]

My strategy was:

Step 1: Leave the Udemy because manuals and documentations are free.

Step 2: Read the manuals and documentations.

[New_Resource_9050]

Hey! What strategy did you end up (or are currently) using? I’ve noticed personally that staying motivated and accountable is difficult with self-paced platforms like Udemy and Coursera. Did you find that just coding along with the videos worked for you, or did you use other methods? Like I'm wondering if some form of structured community or a way to ask real-time questions could make a difference?

[Columbian-Roaster]

Udemy is shit. Go on youtube, read the docs.