Should I stop using solo learn?

Question

I feel the questions are too obvious and also I’m not understanding a thing. I read all the material and take my time. I try the code yet still am feeling as though I don’t understand anything. Am I using this app correctly? Just recently I figured to start reading the comments section as well. I’ve been getting some clarification just by reading old comments. Maybe I’m just over analyzing in a negative way being more pessimistic than just being quiet and just learning, but I really do want to learn to program. I have many reasons for personal use and don’t want to run around in circles and not learn a thing.

Answer 1

Wingdomz Everyone is different when it comes to self learning especially, when it comes to learning to program. It is possible that the app isn't suited to your learning style or perhaps programming may just not be your thing.

I couldn't possibly know without knowing more about you.

How are you as a logical and abstract thinker?

What was your experience in learning math? What's the highest level of math you've completed?

What are your goals with programming?

What have you attempted to learn so far?

What have you struggled the most with?

Your answers will help provide additional context on things to consider.

Answer 2

I keep saying this whenever I see a question like this, but you're just going to have to apply your skills to a project. Build something meaningful to you; something you can get passionate about.

Writing code isn't something you're going to learn over night. I've seen too many overconfident juniors write terrible code then get discouraged by constructive criticism. You've only just begun and still have a lot to learn. If you really want to make something of yourself with these skills, you need to practice and apply yourself. There aren't enough tutorials that can teach you something practical/useful, but you can use what you learn to figure that out for yourself.

Edit: Even as an experienced developer, I'm constantly learning something new and looking back at old code and re-writing it to make it better.

If you dont look back each year and see how much you've improved, you're not learning enough.

Answer 3

I believe if do not get experience coding. You may never learn to code.

Answer 4

~ swim ~ I want to nominate David Carroll as our resident shrink 😁.

Answer 5

There's been one app that has been on my phone for approximately 3 years now, and it is Sololearn. All other apps have been downloaded and removed according to usefulness and storage space. I would go to say that Sololearn is probably THE best learning tool I've encountered with regards to coding - I work at a major bank in Canada and code on the side and still come back to this app on a near weekly basis. It took me awhile to understand coding and I nearly gave up a few times only to come back and completely understand the concepts. Coding is like any other activity or skill: you have to keep at it to become good, great, or awesome. If you become discouraged, don't worry, we've all been there. Everyone learns differently and at different paces. You'll feel that renewed interest when you write a piece of code that does exactly what you want or need it to do :)

Answer 6

Honestly if you feel you're detrimentally affected by Sololearn then go ahead! We want nothing more than your wellbeing.

However do note that Sololearn is more than challenges and lessons. There's a community who is willing to answer your doubts. There's a stepped-down all-in-one IDE called Code Playground and a database for saving codes that can be accessed across devices.

If you still want to quit then by all means do!

Answer 7

I guess a lot of my issues are in fact due to the fact I am not utilizing the comments section to the fullest. As ive been recently looking at the comments more I am seeing a plethora of info and clearification on things ive been somewhat understanding yet not fully grasping the concepts. Im thinking now that I should go back and do some more reviewing on sections I need more familiarity on. Ive watched a lot of python and javascript for beginner videos as well as started to audit the edx intro to to computer science. Ive also taken a few udacity courses on intro to html, css, and javascript. I think I should aslo try utilizing the playground more as well but for some reason it runs pretty slow on my phone.

Answer 8

HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python and what else? When you learn so many languages or technologies together, it happens.

People spend years working with a single language with some frameworks. So you understand what I'm trying to say.

I would suggest you to do html and CSS for some time, take atleast 2 months to practice and do some small projects. Then add JavaScript to your existing skills and take another month to practice all 3.

Once you feel comfortable with them, only then go for Python.

Answer 9

Here's the thing; get amazed by code playground, but don't expect to understand everything done there. The popular codes contain a lot of syntaxes which are advanced and untaught in the Sololearn tutorials; it'll make you both confused and depressed. Starting to code by your own seems to be a good idea. Firstly you can decide something easy to code, and then start coding without any help. You'll notice you're needing to use some well known syntaxes, but can't remember them all. Then you can check tutorials or ask for help. In this way you can gradually move from basic to harder levels of coding. However as Sonic said, you can look for other coding tutorials and quit Sololearn if you wish, but never stop coding :)

Answer 10

I think one important skill in coding/programing is knowing when to take a break , instead of feeling discouraged.

Answer 11

You will gain nothing by being too pessimistic.

Answer 12

Maybe you can gain something from this question I posted a while back.

https://www.sololearn.com/Discuss/1941650/?ref=app

In particular, have a look at the responses by @fermi and David Carroll .

Answer 13

Wingdomz My standard answer to your question is that you may be trying to learn too fast. I would start over at the beginning of the lessons and work your way through them slowly. Take your time. Practice writing your own codes for every new concept. If anything doesn't make sense, see if you can find help in the lesson comments. Use Google a lot. It helps to see each new concept from several different viewpoints, so I suggest looking them up in a few tutorials, for example, for Python,
https://www.programiz.com/python-programming
https://www.learnpython.org
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/python/
https://docs.python.org/3.8/tutorial/
It's a slower process but it's worth it because the knowledge you get will stick.
If you're still stuck, ask for help. The folks here love to help 😊
Good luck!

Answer 14

Wingdomz

Have you made projects with code?

Answer 15

Even if you end up using other learning sources, you can always come back to the App. Maybe you will like it better when you have some experience under your belt.

Answer 16

Patience is bitter but it's fruit is sweet.

Answer 17

Wingdomz I'm not sure what you mean by "I feel the questions are too obvious and also I'm not understanding a thing." If the questions are obvious, then doesn't that mean that you understand everything about it?

Answer 18

Wingdomz I also recommend you see my 5 part answer in this question. It's going to be relevant to your challenges. Be sure to sort the answers By Date.

https://www.sololearn.com/Discuss/2087225/

Also, here's a good article with 10 tips I also consider to be good:

https://simpleprogrammer.com/critical-programming-tips/

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BTW... I had to unfollow this thread due to all the answers being posted. Please mention me to get my attention.

Answer 19

Don't always copy the codes given in sololearn, make your own!🙄

Answer 20

You are not alone in this. Personally I have had the same experience and, at a point I quit. However, the urge to learn brought me back.

The secret, as I came to learn, is to stick to one language for a given time and practice it till the basics/fundamentals stick then proceed to the next.

You may also need to supplement what you learn at SoloLearn with other tutorials, YouTube has been very helpful for me.

Otherwise there is no shortcut, if you have the desire, you will find a way.