Basics
The course is designed to give you the opportunity to express yourself with code. The more you know the more powerful your
expression will be.
- Attend all lectures and labs
- Turn off all distractions and pay attention
- Focus on understanding, not only listening
- Ask questions and get engaged
"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."
~ Albert Einstein
Time Management
- Estimated hours per week outside lecture and labs: 4-5 (not a lot!)
- Plan 2-3 nights a week to work on this course with no distractions
- Do not book group meetings during lecture or lab times
- Do not work too much in addition to your courses
- Read assignments as soon as they come out
- Plan a schedule for working on assignments (what will you do when)
- Be ready for change
- Plan to finish 1-2 days early so there's time to review your work
- Get enough sleep. Do not come to class tired. Take a nap.
- Do not be late!
"Better three hours too soon, than one minute too late."
~ William Shakespeare
Practice
Programming is like learning a language. The more you practice the more articulate you become. The ability to be able
to express EXACTLY what you wish is a powerful one. The more you practice, the broader your expressive vocabulary
will become and the greater your ability.
- Practice the concepts shown in lecture for a more full understanding
- Do not rely on lectures, labs, assignments to be enough to learn the content. Practice on your own time.
- Think up your own exercises
- Make it fun, be creative, and focus on producing the best work you possibly can.
"An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching."
~ Mohandas Gandhi
Review
We are always here to support your learning. Review the material and speak the language of the course. A well defined
question will always receive a quick and well defined answer. Help us out by making sure that the questions you ask make sense.
If you don't know what you are talking about, tell us. It will get us both on the same page.
- Always review quickly and immediately
- 10 minutes after each lecture and lab (30 min per week!)
- Passive reading is NOT enough
- Write, type, practice and think when you review material
- DO NOT CRAM
- Review a topic in a focused burst (30 min max)
- Stay engaged while reviewing
"Study the past, if you would divine the future."
~ Confucious
Attitude
A lot of things are difficult if you approach them with the wrong attitude. We are aware that programming may not be
"your thing", however it is part of the curriculum and you must learn something in order to pass. Would you rather be
miserable doing something you have to, or happy?
- Get excited
- Try not to think or speak negatively about the course
- You do not "suck" at programming
- Manage your time, stay alert and be positive
Programming is hard. Keep at it even when it gets tough and you'll be amazed at what you have done by the end of the course.
"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it."
~ Mary Engelbreit