Bookmarked: how to learn Java. A large selection of training plans, tools and motivation searches

The great thing about online learning is that you can study whenever you want, even at 5 am (yes, there are such skilled early risers). At the same time, people who went through the school-university system, where the material was presented in the format of ready-made lessons, lectures, seminars, and the teacher, whenever possible, chewed on incomprehensible passages, it may be difficult to build their own learning plan and motivate themselves. JavaRush users often ask: “How to learn Java correctly?” Therefore, we have prepared a selection of texts on this topic: tips from developers, tools for studying and much more.

Create a training plan

Before we start doing something, we usually plan. The same thing happens in studies. Not a chaotic study of one or another topic, but a consistent one that ultimately helps to understand the new material. Why do you need a curriculum:

1. Helps to break a large task (master Java programming) into smaller ones. For example, learn the general syntax of the language; understand classes, objects and exception handling; learn to work with files and input/output streams; master multithreading, get acquainted with collections; basics of web development, popular frameworks.
2. Helps create a convenient schedule: every day for 4 hours; 2 hours on weekdays and 6 on weekends; only on weekends, only on weekdays.
3. Helps track progress: you can compare your progress as you progress with what you did at the beginning. You can also compare what you have already learned with the planned milestones and understand whether you need to strengthen your learning schedule.
4. The training plan is motivating. The feeling of victory from completing an item on your to-do list encourages you to study further.

Find learning tools

When you have decided what you will teach, you should think about how you can do it. In 2021, you can learn more than just through books. There are convenient applications and features, for example, in JavaRush. For those who need a “magic kick” to study regularly, JavaRush has come up with a kick chart (it works for the JavaRush mobile application ). To help with finding answers, a “Help” section was created on JavaRush , the so-called collective mind of students and resource specialists. In this section you can ask a question, and someone from the Javarash community will answer it. And so on.

Find motivation and increase self-esteem

It may seem that this self-assessment in the learning process is not the most important thing. You may think that the main thing is to be a genius in mathematics, physics and other exact sciences. No matter how it is. Many smart people, never finding the motivation to learn programming, give it up halfway. It is with motivation and the level of self-esteem that such things as impostor syndrome, procrastination and burnout are associated. And they happen not only during work, but also in school.

Switch from studying to something useful

As we said above, you can “burn out” in your studies. To prevent this from happening, you need to periodically switch to other activities. In addition, it is also important to return to your studies on time so as not to forget what you have already learned.

Read practical advice from those who have already learned

The best advice on learning Java and further employment can be given by those who have successfully completed their studies and got a job as a developer. This applies to creating a training schedule, finding a mentor, and a list of resources.

Improve English

Almost any developer needs at least an average knowledge of English to work. Therefore, in parallel with programming, it is worth improving your knowledge of the English language.

Bonus

In this section, we have collected articles about online learning that may inspire you to learn programming.