Tips for Designing a Plan to Learn Programming & Development

The majority of us make this mistake early on, where we try to learn everything there about Software Development. One day we are watching a tutorial on “Intro to Java”, and the next day, we try to build JARVIS (A.I) with Python. We all have been there, however, it seems like we are doing very well but in reality, we are going nowhere. Being able to write a “Hello World” program in 6 languages, won’t land you anywhere.

Meanwhile, you’re strongly recommended to come up with an appropriate and worthwhile plan to get into the programming & development learning world. Here, in this article, we’ll let you know about several crucial tips for designing a plan to learn Programming & Development:

1. Get Basic Information

First, try to get basic information about different tools & technologies used to build different software products. If you are planning to learn a programming language, find out which languages do what tasks. For example:

• JavaScript – Full Web development
• Python – Machine Learning, backend web development
• Java, Kotlin – Android Apps
• Swift – IOS Apps

2. Pick the Relevant One

Choose your DOMAIN, the one that interests you the most. For example, I chose web development JavaScript, for you, it can be M.L with Python. Don’t worry too much about the decision, you can always move to different things in the future.

Just choose ONE to start with…

Now you need to dive deep into whatever you chose. Learn about different sub-technologies and lay down a path for the next month or two. Start with absolute basics, but keep the vision to where you want to go. There are numerous resources for learning like, YouTube, blogs, courses, etc. I suggest you pick a project to build alongside these resources. Indeed, this is the best way to learn a new language.  

3. Be Consistent

There is no Rocket Science here. You need to code every single day. Our brain tends to store and process information the best when it is served in small chunks over a longer period of time. Code for 1 hour or 2 in the beginning and increase it over time. Also, it is about how much you are learning, don’t fool yourself by sitting 8 hours in front of a computer without actually learning or working on a task.

You can follow a simple rule which will make you more consistent. It’s called “2- Day Rule”. It simply means you can’t take 2 days off in a row. The reason behind this is when you spend two days without doing what you are supposed to do — in our case, Coding — then there are more chances that you will not do it on the third day or the fourth and the momentum will be lost. So, you can take alternate days off if it requires, but not 2 days back-to-back.

4. Set A Deadline

Programming is a non-ending process because there is so much to learn, to read, to do that you can get lost sometimes. Deadlines play a major role when it comes to a productive plan.  

Whenever you start learning anything new, set a deadline for that task. It can be a week, a month, or two, but don’t set the deadline for six months or a year, it won’t be that effective. Our Brain has a tendency to work super efficiently, beyond our expectations when there is a deadline nearby. We all have experienced this phenomenon when we sit to write multiple assignments a night before the submissions.  Same Story Every Time…  

5. Have Fun With It!

Learning Programming is a very creative and logical process. Don’t try to learn it like we learned Dates in history or crammed the laws in civics. It is much more than that. Be playful in your approach, tag a friend alongside who wants similar things. We can’t treat programming as one another subject to check-off, it is a wide, exciting world of endless possibilities (it might sound cheesy, but it’s true).

In conclusion, every venture in the world needs some kind of plan, a path, a structure, to follow along, programming is no different. Design a plan, make some changes, some improvements here and there and the journey continues to be a productive developer!!