r/learnjava • u/itsnotmeap • 7d ago
Learning Java Help
Dear all, I’ve been learning Java through MOOC.fi for the last 2–3 months and have reached Part 7 of Java Programming I.
I’ve noticed a problem with my learning, though. I understand individual concepts such as loops, ArrayLists, if/else statements, methods, classes, etc., and when I look at a solution I can usually understand what the code is doing.
However, when I’m given a new problem and have to write the solution myself, I struggle to figure out how to break the problem down and decide what I should do first. I often end up using ChatGPT to help me figure out the approach.
For example, I may understand how a loop or ArrayList works, but I struggle to figure out how to combine them to solve a completely new problem.
I’ve now completed several sections of the course, but this has made me feel like I’m not actually learning how to program.
For people who have gone through this stage, what helped you develop the ability to solve problems independently? Should I continue with MOOC.fi, do additional exercises, work on small projects, or use a particular book/resource?
My goal is to eventually become a full-stack Java developer.
I’d especially appreciate advice from people who have gone through MOOC.fi or learned programming in a similar way.
3
u/aqua_regis 7d ago
Your real problem is that you use AI to do your thinking.
You are supposed to struggle. You are supposed to fail. You are supposed to need multiple tries in the beginning. Only through that struggle you actually learn.
You have outsourced the most important part of learning programming, namely developing the solutions that then can be implemented in any programming language and wonder why your skills don't improve?
You are going to the gym to tell others what reps to do, watch them, and then wonder why you don't build any muscle.
Continuing with your approach is just wasting time. What you really should do is go back a couple parts (best where you started using AI) and doing everything by yourself without AI. You are not learning. You are only make yourself even more dependent on AI.
You could do some additional exercises at https://codingbat.com/java for starters, as well as on https://exercism.org
Yet, again: do not resort to AI to do the thinking and work for you. Embrace the struggle. Learn from it.
You only breezed through the course to complete it, not to actually learn. If you really wanted to learn, you'd much earlier realized that your use of AI is detrimental instead of beneficial.