How to Break Free From Tutorials?
Are you stuck in the tutorial loop? If you’re new to the software field or drowning in YouTube playlists, feeling pessimistic about your progress, you’re not alone! Join me on a journey to break free from the tutorials and delve into the field with confidence!
Context:
Recently, I attended a conference about IT at my college where the guests shared their journeys. This opportunity helped me ask them a few questions. Here are some key points to consider:
Pair Programming:
Guest speaker Mr. Younossi mentioned that challenges with colleagues have helped him enhance his skills in a healthy competitive atmosphere. This led the group to discover different ways to resolve problems, find optimal solutions, and defend their viewpoints. Moreover, this helps him identify their specific interests, which are front-end and UX design.
Mastering the Code Concept, Not the Syntax:
Let’s consider JavaScript frameworks; they differ by concept, each used based on specific project requirements. There is no best framework, only the suitable one. It is recommended to master 70% of the concepts and specifications before considering a switch to another framework or programming language. Understanding and mastering concepts matter more than quantity.
Practicing College Material and Consulting Documentation:
As students, we study UML, Merise, OOP concepts, Java, and more. Due to limited course hours, it’s challenging for us to find the link for collaborative usage in the real world. Thus, it is essential to grasp these basics by training on small projects, developing a logical approach, and consulting official documentation for implementation.
Contributing to Open Source:
Mr. Elkhabich emphasized the power of contributing a few lines to an open-source project for young developers’ professional careers. This demonstrates your proficiency in a programming language. Therefore, it enhances your confidence. To further escape the tutorial trap, open-source contributions allow you to apply theoretical knowledge, face challenges, and deepen your understanding. This hands-on experience is invaluable for breaking free from the confines of constant tutorial consumption and building genuine expertise in software development.
Learning in the AI Era:
In the age of AI-driven learning, while technology simplifies developers’ lives, excessive dependence during the learning phase hinders critical thinking. Therefore, it is essential to strike a balance to activate brain neurons and avoid a passive, lazy approach. Embracing both AI assistance and personal initiative ensures a comprehensive understanding and a stimulating learning journey.
Final words:
Learning is not always about following tutorials or courses; the hidden iceberg lies in doing, making mistakes, and searching. Take a moment to reflect on how developers have improved and invented amazing things beyond tutorials and courses. This isn’t to say that tutorials and courses are useless, but dependence on them can pose a problem, as it has been for me and many other learners. Be mindful of their usage. Best of luck!
