How To Balance Work And Learning Programming? 7 Useful Tips For Students Switching Career

Did you know it will take around 500-1000 hours to become a job-ready Java programmer in normal circumstances? And if you practice 8 hours per day, five days per week, this means 13-26 weeks. But here's the catch: what if you're already juggling a job and struggling to find the time to learn how to code? Fear not! This article reveals helpful tips on unleashing your coding potential while still working. Let's dive in!

How It May Begin? The Magnetic Pull of Switching to IT

IT has become a magnet for people seeking new horizons and fresh challenges. And the allure of this dynamic sector goes far beyond high salaries and job stability. There are lots of motives that drive people to switch to IT. These may be a desire for endless opportunities, the thrill of innovation, the flexibility of remote work, the drive to make a positive impact… etc. Yet, there is also a fear of losing everything. Financial security, networking advantages, and personal confidence may play a massive role in the decision to switch a career. If that sounds like you, we have come up with some of our students' most valuable tips and suggestions to help you continue working and learning. Nothing to lose!

Tip #1: Set Clear Goals

Like any new skill, setting clear and measurable goals is crucial for success in learning Java. By setting specific goals, you can productively direct your efforts and maintain focus on your desired result. Think about what you want to achieve. Would you like to become a software developer? Mobile app developer? QA specialist? Or, would you like to tie your life with AI technologies? A clear goal will help you manage your time efficiently and track your progress. Understanding your motivations will enhance your focus and drive. And by staying dedicated to your defined path, you can make significant strides toward achieving your ultimate goal. Besides your goals, you should also define your motivation that will drive you further. Want to start a new career in tech to pursue your dreams? Just for fun? Want to achieve financial freedom? Want to spend more time with your family and friends? This knowledge is essential to help you define why you started your learning path and why you should continue it.

Tip #2: Learn How to Prioritize

Prioritization is the most effective way to ensure your limited time is dedicated to learning. And if you're fueled by motivation and desire to accomplish your goals, you'll find that reshaping your priorities is easier than you imagine. You may find it surprising how much "free time" lies within a day. Your "work-free" time may be filled with mindless TV watching or scrolling through social media platforms (these activities are easy to initiate but challenging to halt). That's why you should allocate your time wisely. Identify the activities that steal your precious time and reduce the time spent on them by 50%. By prioritizing your time, you can uncover hidden growth and skill development opportunities. And keep in mind that it's not about sacrificing enjoyment but optimizing how you allocate your most precious resource – time.

Tip #3: Build a Plan

Building a plan is crucial for several reasons. For one, a well-structured plan provides a clear pathway for your learning journey. It outlines the topics, concepts, and skills you must cover to achieve your end goal. For two, it can help you break down your learning process into manageable steps. Accordingly, it can help you track your progress and stay motivated. For three, a plan will assist you in effective time management. It will help you allocate time slots for learning, ensuring that you make consistent and regular progress.

Tip #4: Aim for Bite-sized Chunks

Note that the CodeGym course is self-paced, so you can always split lessons into as many required fragments as possible to complete them. We recommend you choose consistency over speed and practice every day – even a few hours a day can make all the difference. Remember that repetition, focus, and consistency are the keys to success! How do you find motivation when you're not feeling like coding? Remember to recall your end goals and reflect on how far you've come.

Tip #5: Build an Adequate Learning Schedule

Take an honest look at your schedule and identify pockets of time that can be dedicated to learning. If you can learn for some time before/after work, and study 20-30 minutes during your lunch breaks, that's great! Scheduling these chunks of time will help you spend 2-4 hours a day working through the CodeGym course and watching supplemental tutorials on YouTube. If you need extra help planning your time, refer to time-management techniques that have already proven beneficial for our students. Once you manage to devote adequate time to learning, create a habit. Ideally, it would help if you learned around the same time each day, keeping your schedule consistent. Learning a routine will make it much easier for you to stay focused. Also, keeping a learning journal is an excellent tool for staying focused and tracking your progress. Sounds somewhat old-school and boring? Then, try online tools like Penzu. It works.

Tip #6: Seek for Support

Having your employer's support can make the balance easier. So, discuss your learning aspirations with your employer. Some companies willingly provide resources or time off for additional learning activities. Engaging with like-minded career switchers with similar learning interests is also an excellent idea. Try to join communities or participate in online forums to expand your network. Collaborating can enhance your learning experience and provide valuable insights and support.

Tip #7: Permit Yourself to Have Small Breaks

Even the most disciplined programmers have days off. Remember that taking breaks means staying focused. It's a deliberate practice contributing to a more productive and sustainable learning experience. You can walk for a while, drink coffee, spend time with your family or friends, devote time to hobbies, or do whatever makes you feel relaxed. Just give yourself permission to pause, recharge, and return to coding with a fresh mindset, ready to conquer new challenges and expand your coding skills.

Final Thoughts

Combining working and learning can be a real headache. But luckily, there are lots of different ways to make it work. The cool thing about CodeGym is that it's designed for self-guided learning, so you can set the pace and frequency that will work for your situation. Our recommendations will help you complete the course while maintaining a healthy work/life balance and keeping yourself motivated. By implementing these strategies, you will be able to overcome the difficulties of work and learning, paving the way for personal and professional advancement. Good luck! If you're looking for more coding motivation, you may read success stories from CodeGym learners or refer to our blog for additional learning tips and useful resources.