how to learn computer science faster than everyone

Summary

This video explores essential programming mindsets for growth, emphasizing the importance of curiosity over perfection. The speaker encourages learners to focus on their own interests and build projects they care about, instead of following trends. They introduce the 'curiosity rule' and the benefits of systems over goals, using methods like Parkinson's Law to stay productive. The speaker also highlights the value of practicing coding over just studying theory, promoting hands-on learning. The video concludes with a promotion for Brilliant, a platform for interactive learning in programming and other subjects.

Takeaways

• 😀 View coding as a tool for curiosity: Coding should be driven by genuine interest and exploration, not external pressures or trends.
• 😀 Avoid getting lost in computer science clutter: There’s a lot of noise online, from tutorials to influencers, but it’s important to stay focused on your personal curiosities.
• 😀 Protect your curiosity: Stay curious about projects that excite you, even if they seem random or imperfect, as this leads to better learning and motivation.
• 😀 Focus on systems, not just goals: Systems, like daily habits, ensure consistent progress, while goals can lead to burnout if not managed properly.
• 😀 Apply Parkinson's Law: Use time constraints to your advantage by setting realistic deadlines for projects to prevent procrastination and overwhelm.
• 😀 Build a project timeline: Set deadlines for different milestones like MVPs and optimizations to maintain momentum and avoid abandoning projects.
• 😀 Implement the concept of 'Steel and Twist': Study and analyze other codebases to learn from them, then incorporate those lessons into your own work with your unique approach.
• 😀 Don’t just focus on theory—practice matters: Understanding theoretical concepts like data structures and algorithms is important, but applying them is key to becoming a skilled programmer.
• 😀 Embrace being a practitioner: Combine theory with hands-on coding to solidify knowledge and improve your abilities in real-world situations.
• 😀 Use Brilliant to enhance learning: Brilliant offers interactive lessons and problem-solving to help you build foundational programming skills and think like a programmer.

Q & A

What is the 'curiosity rule' in programming?

The 'curiosity rule' suggests that you should approach coding with curiosity and focus on building what excites you. It encourages you to learn programming by following your interests, even if the project seems random or not immediately useful, as this will help you stay motivated and improve faster.

How can coding your own interests lead to faster improvement?

When you work on projects that genuinely interest you, you're more likely to stay motivated and complete them. This leads to more consistent practice, and as a result, you become a better programmer more quickly than if you were working on projects based on external pressure or trends.

Why is it important to focus on building systems rather than just setting goals?

Focusing on systems, like developing daily habits or processes (e.g., coding for 45 minutes every day), helps you avoid the burnout and anxiety that can come with rigid goal-setting. Systems promote consistent progress, allowing you to steadily improve, whereas goals can often feel overwhelming and lead to procrastination.

What is Parkinson's Law, and how can it be applied in programming?

Parkinson's Law states that work expands to fill the time available for its completion. In programming, you can use this to your advantage by setting tight but realistic deadlines for milestones in your project. This can help you focus and avoid procrastination, leading to faster, more efficient progress.

What does the concept of 'steel and twist' mean in programming?

The 'steel and twist' concept involves studying and learning from others' code by analyzing their structure, functions, and design choices. Afterward, you should refactor your own code based on these learnings but add your own unique twist or improvements to make it your own. This ensures you understand the code and enhance your skills.

How does theory play a role in becoming a good programmer?

Theory, such as understanding data structures, algorithms, and runtime complexities, is important. However, it's the practical application of these concepts in building and debugging real projects that solidifies the understanding and turns theory into useful skills.

What is the difference between a theorist and a practitioner in computer science?

A theorist in computer science focuses on understanding theoretical concepts but might struggle to apply them in practice. A practitioner, on the other hand, applies theory through hands-on coding, building projects, and solving real problems, which helps solidify and deepen their understanding.

How can setting a minimum viable product (MVP) milestone benefit a project?

Setting an MVP milestone ensures that you have a working version of your project early on, even if it’s not perfect. This can help you avoid getting stuck in perfectionism and give you something to iterate on, leading to more tangible progress and motivation to continue refining the project.

What role does motivation play in staying consistent with coding?

Motivation plays a crucial role in staying consistent with coding. When you work on projects that genuinely interest you, you're more likely to stay motivated and keep learning. Additionally, systems that are easy to stick to (like coding for a set time each day) help maintain motivation over time.

How can Brilliant help in becoming a better programmer?

Brilliant offers interactive lessons in math, science, programming, and AI, focusing on hands-on problem-solving and building understanding from the ground up. It allows learners to practice real-world applications and think like a programmer, which is essential for both theoretical learning and practical coding skills.