Learning programming is hard. Not calculus hard, more like basic algebra hard. Everyone can do it, if you learn the right way.
Ray
What's that mean? The right way?
A few things. Let's talk about them.
Make time
You'll need about eight hours per week, maybe less, maybe more. I can't tell you where the time comes from, just what's needed.
Plan less time, you'll be more stressed.
Don't skim
In socials, you skim to find the good bits. I do.
The socials are a bunch of disconnected stories. If you miss a post, no big deal.
The lessons in this textbook are connected. They build on each other. Skim across something, and it could make the next lesson harder.
Don't skim. You'll just have to go back and reread anyway.
Ray
I'm not a fan of reading, but it makes sense, now that you've explained it. It's all connected.
What to do when you're confused
You will be confused sometimes.
Ray
I hate that! Feels bad.
Aye, it does. What matters: what do you do when you're confused?
Ray
Argh! Panic! Run away! Play games, shoot hoops.
Um, yeah, you could do that. Better to learn how to handle it. You'll need the what-to-do-when-I-get-confused badge for the rest of your life.
Here are a few things to do when you're confused.
Try again
Reread. Explain to your dog as you go. Or a plant, a voice in your head (that's what I do). Imagine the voice asking questions.
Ray
That voice-in-your-head works?
Aye. Lots of research evidence on this.
The debugger helps you learn
The debugger is a thing in Spyder to watch code run. There's a lesson on using it later.
The debugger is a learning tool, as well as an error fixer. Like I said, you can watch code run. Much easier than having to imagine what's happening.
Ask a friend
Life is easier with friends. That applies to learning, too. If you don't have friends you can ask about this stuff, try posting to the class forum, see if people want to study together.
This course has a room in Gather.Town. It's a safe place to meet. The room's available 24×7×365. Check the syllabus on Moodle for deets.
Ask the prof
That's me, Kieran, the old dude writing this. Unless you take the course in the summer.
I have lots of online help times. It's one-on-one. We'll share screens, talk things through.
Ray
I don't want to bother you.
I'm online in the help sessions because I want to be bothered. I want you to succeed, and you'll need my help for that.
If I didn't want to be bothered, I'd have fewer hours online. See the logic?
Ray
Yeah, makes sense.
Have fun and be proud
Some students are nervous about the course, but end up loving it, and are proud of their skills. I hear from some every semester. I like hearing it; makes the job worthwhile.
Notice how much you're learning. Celebrate it. Pop champagne and raise a toast.