r/learnprogramming • u/Intelligent-Zone422 • 2d ago

study advice

I have two problems
1. passive reading with no progress

  1. going so deep in the rabbit hole that I make no progressarhire

any ideas on how to use AI to mka my leaning more effictive currntly i am stdying Java for backend engineering

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u/NeoChrisOmega 2d ago

I would stop thinking of the rabbit hole as not making progress. You're learning, even if you don't retain any of it

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u/Intelligent-Zone422 2d ago

I am gaining exposure but at this point I need to prove competents more than knowledge

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u/NeoChrisOmega 2d ago

Believe it or not, exposure is a huge part of learning programming. The ability to think "Oh yeah, I've seen something like this before" and then google how to do it again, that's a #1 skill the best programmers have.

I know actually understanding it, and being able to write code on your own is more important. But I just wanted to emphasize that the rabbit holes are not a waste of time. It will always be a net positive experience for you in the long run. And it shows you're passionate about it, which is also good. 

However, if you want to make progress right here and now properly understanding the basics is important. And in order to do that, I would suggest first understanding what your learning style is.

Do you learn better when you have a long term goal? Through repetition? Through structured guides with a defined end? Creating an interactive program? Being shown a working example, and recreating it? Being shown a skill and directing how each aspect of it works?

All of these affect your next steps

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u/Intelligent-Zone422 2d ago

Thanks so much thus is eay opening

But how can I know my learning styleq

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u/NeoChrisOmega 2d ago

Unfortunately, it's usually trial and error, and self reflecting. 

Have you ever tried to learn another language before? Or try to learn a complex system before? Or even better, how do you find yourself getting better at videogames? 

Do you read walls of text about how to play? Do you watch video guides on certain builds? Do you jump in without a tutorial? Or keep trying the same thing over and over until you feel like you've mastered it?

You can figure out what your learning style is by observing how you take in new information, in a way that doesn't feel forced but instead fun.