everyone has the “goth/prep/nerd/jock” alignment chart but this is the only real alignment chart that we need.
Idk if this has been asked before but how do you study for computer science classes (coding based)? Also, is there a recommended way to self-learn different coding languages?
Honestly, it depends entirely on the class and it’s difficulty. My favorite method of studying is the outline printed in 2-column format however because you get so much more on one page. I usually tend to keep margin space too so I can write down extra information on the side:
You can modify this format as well so that you have a prompt, say “how do you write the code to start a loop through 100″ and then write the code below it. Especially since a lot of classes seem to have written portions, I feel like this could really help. I did a similar thing for my android class and it really helped.
As for self-learning, there are sooooo many resources out there now. I’m going to like a few posts and pages for you so that I don’t miss any, so check them out in your free time!
As for studying the languages that you self-teach, I would say to do projects on the side in your free time to improve your skills in the chosen languages. After all, practice makes perfect. When you self-teach, you’re missing out on the assignments that a teacher would give you, so think of a few examples or have a friend write up some problems for you to find the solutions to!
Always comment your code Commenting your code is a great way for you to not only help solidify what you’re writing in your head, but it makes your code so much clearer for you and anyone else who may be reading your code. Of course you don’t always have to document every line, but documenting lines that you find difficult to remember is a good practice to keep.
Document your methods/functions Documenting your methods is a great way to keep track of what methods do what - create a doc-box above them and list the name of the method, what arguments it takes, what it returns, and the purpose it serves to the program. This can also serve as a quick reference so you don’t have to dig through your paper and find out what it’s supposed to do.
Develop your own style of coding When you first start coding, you may end up with code everywhere - Brackets in weird places, inconsistent spaces between parentheses, etc… Over time, you should start developing your own style of coding that is yours. Decide how you like to type your brackets, how you like your parentheses to look, your general variable naming style, etc… It makes your code so much easier to look at and read.
Know the official website for the language you’re working in If the code you are writing has an official website, use it! Languages like C++, Android, Java, and a ton of others have a website that has an extensive dictionary of libraries available to you and how to use them. Some of them even have example programs that you can use to help you. I keep all of mine in a bookmark folder.
Experiment on your own If you look below, you’ll notice my tip #4 for assignments - Don’t over-complicate your code. This is best saved for your own experimenting, so do it! In your down time, learn new techniques and new ways to optimize your code to the best it can be. Doing this in your own time is the best way to do it, as you don’t jeopardize any of your points if your code ends up not being able to work or if the teacher is extremely to-the-book on their assignments.
Debug as you go Debugging all at once sucks. You may get so far just to find out that your code is broken at the way beginning and that nothing else works. Instead, I suggest that you debug as you go to avoid the hours of debugging and possible re-writing at the end.
Assignments
Take your time time reading the prompt Nothing sucks more than finishing up the assignment after a week of coding than finding out that you completely skipped a crucial part of the program. If you need to, print out the prompt and highlight the crucial parts and make a note of anything else that you might forget.
Put document boxes at the top of your code These are more of a preference, but I prefer to put document boxes at the top of each of my files. I normally put my school id, name, assignment #, file name, and purpose of the file at the top of every file. This helps me remember what file is supposed to do what and keeps my code clean and keeps my programming time shorter.
Make a list of your variables Programming is one of those things that will frustrate the heck out of you at times. You will spend days trying to debug one thing, just to go in to the TA to find out that you missed a semi-colon or you misspelled a variable. My recommendation: Make a list of variables that are used globally as well as which ones are used privately in their respective files. You can either do this in a doc-box or you can use old-fashioned pen and paper. I also put what the variable is used for and use the sheet for quick reference.
Don’t try to over-complicate your code When you’re given an assignment, do only what the assignment says - don’t try to go above-and-beyond unless you’re told there’s extra credit or another incentive. This means; not using a switch when you’re specifically told to use if-else statements or anything else similar.
Visit your TA or teacher if you need help They are there to help you - don’t just rely on stack overflow to teach you something that you don’t understand. Sure, you may be able to fix your code from that forum post, but do you actually understand it?
Pair programming is great if you do your own part Don’t just rely on your partner to do everything while you get the grade. You won’t learn anything that way. Evenly split the work and code when you are both present. This will allow you both to learn how to do the program and prepare you both for the exam to come. Pair programming is a great way to get a more real-world experience, as many projects in the real-world are done in groups or teams. ** Pair programming may not be available for you, ask your professor first **
Do your own code Aside from pair programming, do your own code. Do not rely on git hub to have the old assignments from years past and do not rely on your friends to write your code for you. Copying code from online is not only plagiarism which can earn you a 0 in the assignments, but some schools even have a strict policy where you can fail out of the class for plagiarizing. It also does not help you to learn the material.
One of the many great things about computer science is that it can be learned by anyone, from anywhere, and for free! Here are some websites that you can use to learn how to code. (Those marked with an asterisk are websites that I have personally used)
Codecademy*- This one is great because you can learn multiple programming languages, plus do fun projects to practice your skills. It also uses an interactive interface that allows you to see the changes you make in the code.
Code.org*- This one is best for people who don’t have a lot of time on their hands. The website features small projects that can be done in an hour or less. It also features projects aimed at smaller children, so it’s a great activity to do alongside your child/sibling/kid you’re babysitting that won’t shut up.
Dash*- Dash is actually the first website I ever used to learn how to code. It teaches you how to code in relation to Tumblr themes and how to eventually create your own theme. This website would be more useful to those only wanting to code themes than someone wanting to learn how to code in general. It does feature projects with just plain coding, but I haven’t tried those so I can’t say how good they are.
W3Schools*- This website is less for actually practicing code and more for learning textbook-style. It does feature A LOT of languages and it gives you a lot of practice material, quizzes, and tests. Plus, at the end you can receive a certification in the language of your choice (if you wish to do so). The certification is a bit costly, but looks great on a resume.
Khan Academy- I haven’t used Khan Academy for programming, but I have used it for algebra and chemistry, and I can say that it DOES work. The website features badges and a points system that is based on how many videos you watch, activities you complete, etc. It also has additional resources that will help you really master the material.
Code Avengers- Just from looking at the website, this looks like a pretty legit place to learn how to code. It uses an interactive interface like a lot of the other sites. The only thing I would be cautious about is the fact that you can sign up for a “free trial”. I’m assuming that means that not all of the features are unlocked unless you pay a fee. If you’re okay with having limited resources, then this website would probably be a pretty good bet.
its kinda scary how your whole life depends on how well you do as a teenager
oh my god No it doesn’t don’t put this kind of pressure on people?? you can absolutely fuck up in your teen years and continue on to a good life just fine. you can drop out of school, get a GED, still go to college and finish your degree as late as you want. i know people in my school who still haven’t graduated and they’re 26. some older. you can always transfer someplace else, always build yourself up from the ground. after a certain amount of college credits, a lot of schools really don’t care about your high school GED or your SAT scores anymore. if you fuck up in your teenage years you are not a failure!! you can ALWAYS re-invent yourself, always start over. there is always a second chance.
Reblogging this for my followers freaking out over art school/college. I dropped out of high school and never thought I’d get into college as easily as I did. You will be fine!
Fun story my biology professor just told us: When he was 23 he was married to his wife and worked two jobs to support them since she was in college: gas station attendant and construction worker. He worked these two jobs because that was the only work he could get since he was at the reading level of a third grader.
One night he was writing something and his wife noticed he was writing from right to left. Since she was studying occupational therapy she realized he had a learning disability and started working with him. He slowly began to learn to read, and at 26 got his GED and went to college.
His first year of college he took the lowest level math course he could take, 001. Over the years he worked on learning what he needed to, ended up graduating with a biology degree. He then went on to get his masters and PhD, graduating at the top of his class. He is now an extremely accomplished biologist and professor.
So don’t let anyone tell you that you’re future is based on your choices as a teenager.
Seriously. Do not believe this. You aren’t even stuck with your choices you make in your 20s. I didn’t start working in my current field until just after my 30th birthday. It has nothing to do with what I went to school for in my 20s. My husband has a political science degree, and he’s a sports journalist.
You are not tied to anything. Go. Be.
My day job did not exist when I was a teenager. And the idea of trying to be an author was a distant thing on my radar. I thought I was going to be an English teacher. And then I thought I was going to be a music teacher. And then I thought I was going to be a drama teacher.
Also in there: therapist, early childhood educator, then finally: web developer–because by then it was an actual thing that existed. I didn’t actually figure out what I “wanted to do when I grew up” until about eight years ago, when I was 36. I tried pursuing writing when I was 30, stopped, then started pursuing it seriously again when I was 40.
There is always time to change. And don’t let anyone tell you that high school is “the best time of your life” either, because that’s bullshit too.
Reblogging for my followers. My high school teachers didn’t know what to do with me, and I failed everything but a low photography grade. I thought university wasn’t for me, and settled for marrying a mediocre man who spent all day on Warcraft. Then I went to community college. Now I’m in uni doing a double English and philosophy degree, just back from America. I am also single.
Also important: College is not the only option. Don’t let anyone try to tell you it is. If you’re not academically inclined, the trades are an option and they are a good option– if the only thing you think you’re good at is make-up
do that. There are people who can live comfortably just doing make-up. We have this idea planted in our heads as teenagers (and younger) that not fitting into an academic mould of some sort means you’re failing at life and this is bullshit. There’s no reason to feel like you’re “failing at life” because you don’t like school or were never good at it. We need skilled workers in the world, and the thing they don’t tell you is all work is skilled work. If it’s work, it takes skill. Yes, this encompasses “service” jobs, it encompasses all jobs. Please don’t think that what you do, or what you have an interest in doing is of less value than something that requires a college education. This coming from the college-educated white girl who is a seamstress because it’s what I enjoy. If college isn’t going to get you where you want to go, than you don’t need to go! It’s that simple. Take whatever path you need to get to where you are happy and comfortable and fufilled. If you’re doing what you love you are sucessful.
i didn’t graduate with my bachelor’s until i was 26 and life took a few turns along the way but now, at 37, i have a job that makes me genuinely happy. and it’s got nothing to do with how well i did in high school.
This! This make me cry… I’m 23 and I really don’t know where I’m going, so reading this kinds of storys makes me feel hope!
I love all this support and inspiring stories, but what I think op was getting at was that our teachers/parents/elders ingrain this idea in us that if we fuck up in our teens, we fuck up everything. So don’t ever let adults make you feel less for needing/spending more time to achieve your goals. You’re still amazing if you get a degree at 24 or 44 or even not at all
for everyone needing this as much as i do right now
Anonymous
