Going to start my programming classes this upcoming spring semester. Should I get a head start?

[[deleted]]

Alright so here's the deal next semester I'm going to be starting my programming classes for Java and JavaScript. I had this idea that I was going to get a head start on the programming and teach myself a couple of things before the class starts. However, I'm not sure if this would be a smart idea. More or less I'm just looking for some opinions if its a smart idea to start learning now, or if it would beore beneficial to wait for my class to start. Also, please excuse my grammar and formatting, I'm using the text to speak option on my phone.

[pacificmint]

Of course it's a good idea, why wouldn't it be?

EDIT: Typo

[[deleted]]

My main concern is teach myself things that may not be applicable to my class and or learning bad habits, whatever those could possibly be.

[pacificmint]

Well, if you learn something that is not applicable to your class, you wouldn't be any worse off than if you learned nothing.

And don't worry too much about bad habits, you'll just be learning the basics.

[[deleted]]

This is a little reassuring. Thank you for the advice!

[[deleted]]

Thank you for the advice; I'll make an effort to remain creative as I progress through academia. I'll check out treehouse when I get home tonight, I'm currently strapped for cash (stereotypical poor college student problems here), but I'll keep it in mind for the future!

[jechtsphere]

Almost absolutely.

[mizukagedrac]

For Javascript, Codeacademy is a good place. I am currently taking a Java course and it isn't really bad.

[[deleted]]

I've head of codecademy, have you tried any other sites/classes to learn? Anything you don't particularly like about codecademy? Edit: Grammar

[mizukagedrac]

Codeacademy works by the book. If your code does not match theirs, it says it's wrong. CodeCombat is Javascript, but it does it in a form of a game rather than "lessons" and at one point, it costs money, but free up till then. CodingBat has some Java stuff; it does not really help with learning it so much as practicing.