7 Tips To Get Your Money’s Worth With Online Coding Courses
If you aspire to become a full-time developer or a freelance web designer, it’s essential to continuously learn new skills and keep them updated. Continuously acquiring new skills is a valuable asset that enhances your potential to secure new and suitable job opportunities. To assist you, I’ve put together this post based on my experience, featuring 7 tips to get your money’s worth with online coding courses.
However, online coding courses and other learning materials can often be quite expensive. Additionally, some courses may not be necessary or relevant to your specific field. You might also find yourself drawn to learning something that seems interesting but won’t be particularly valuable for your future career.
As a result, you might end up spending a significant amount on your coding education. This is why it’s crucial to thoroughly plan your learning process in the long run. Knowing what you need to learn before seeking out the appropriate resources is the best way to save both time and money.
So, if you’re learning how to code with the goal of becoming a professional web developer, this post is tailored for you!
7 Tips To Get Your Money’s Worth With Online Coding Courses And Save Time
#1: Know your goals
The initial question you should ask yourself is: what do I want to create with coding? This is a subject I’ve delved into in several of my previous posts, and for a good reason. After all, how can you possibly achieve a goal if you don’t have one?
Take all the time you need to determine what you want to accomplish with programming in the future. Are you interested in building websites, developing games, creating apps, or performing data analysis? The possibilities are extensive, so it’s important to select one area to concentrate on.
#2: Create a list of things you really need to learn
Once you have set a clear goal, it’s time to identify the tools and technologies you need to achieve it. There is a vast array of programming languages, platforms, and frameworks available for different purposes. In some areas, you have multiple options to choose from, while in others, your choices may be more limited.
For instance, if you decide to learn web development, you must start with HTML and CSS. These are the fundamental tools upon which every website and web application is built.
Conversely, if your interest lies in coding and data analysis, you have a variety of excellent options. For example, the Python programming language is an exceptional tool for data mining and analysis.
#3: Find out which tools you can learn for free
Fortunately, not all courses or tools come with a price tag. There are a plethora of free resources available for learning coding and web development.
While there can be noticeable differences in quality between paid and free courses and tutorials, the key factor is your own motivation and determination. The amount of time and effort you dedicate to practicing and building your own projects is what truly matters. This hands-on approach is the most effective way to grasp the fundamentals of coding and web development.
If you are just starting out with programming, you might not yet have a clear idea of what you need to learn. In this case, your next step should be to find some high-quality, free beginner-level tutorials and resources.
To better understand how coding works and to discover the various tools available, spend some time familiarizing yourself with the different fields where coding is used. You might find it helpful to watch a few beginner-friendly lectures or tutorials on YouTube to see if the topic piques your interest.
#4: Don’t do course-hopping – learn what you need
With the vast number of online courses available, you might feel tempted to enroll in several just to see what they offer. Many of these courses are also priced affordably, further encouraging the urge to course-hop.
However, if you truly want to learn effectively, it’s best to concentrate on one course at a time, even if they are free. Consistency in your learning is key. Establish a learning schedule and stick to it diligently.
By doing this, you’ll develop stronger skills in the specific topic you’re studying and make faster overall progress. Focusing on one course at a time allows your mind to concentrate fully, making the learning process much smoother. This approach ensures you get your money’s worth from online coding courses by maintaining a single-minded focus.
#5: Compare different learning platforms
When selecting a learning platform, you typically choose between course-based and subscription-based pricing models.
With course-based pricing, you select an individual coding course you wish to enroll in and pay a one-time fee. In contrast, subscription-based pricing requires a monthly fee, granting you access to all courses and content available on that platform.
For example, Udemy offers an extensive array of online coding courses for beginners, created by various teachers and instructors. This makes Udemy an excellent choice for both foundational learning and in-depth exploration of specific topics. You can start with a beginner-level course and, when the next promotion comes along, purchase a more advanced course. If possible, find a course that covers a topic comprehensively, as learning from one instructor is often easier than switching between different ones. Check out my detailed Udemy review here.
On the other hand, Treehouse operates on a subscription-based pricing model. By paying a monthly fee, you gain access to all their content. The main advantage of this model is the motivation to complete courses promptly, as you continuously have access to new material. Treehouse invests significantly in creating high-quality courses, planning and producing all materials themselves, which ensures a professional and consistent structure across all courses. If you’re not familiar with Team Treehouse, consider trying their free 7-day trial to see if it suits your learning style.
#6: Read course reviews
Whenever you come across an intriguing course that you’re thinking about enrolling in, make sure to review feedback from both past and current students. Nearly all online course platforms offer a section dedicated to reviews and comments that anyone can access. These platforms might feature a simple 1-to-5 star rating system, or they might provide detailed discussion forums for each course. These forums are often brimming with valuable insights about the course content and teaching methods. There’s no better way to gauge how well a course will meet your needs and align with your skill level than by hearing and reading the experiences of others who have taken it.
#7: Know exactly what the course includes
Thoroughly examine the curriculum.
Depending on your current level of expertise, you may prefer a course that offers either a more detailed or a more concise introduction to the tools and programming languages used. On the other hand, if you already have the required skills, you might be ready to jump straight into working on real-life projects.
Select a course that aligns with your current skill level. Additionally, ensure that the course incorporates several meaningful and practical projects. These projects will be crucial for building your portfolio, so keep that in mind.
Summing it all up: How To Get Your Money’s Worth With Online Coding Courses
Getting the utmost value from your online coding courses can be quite challenging. The abundance of courses available can be overwhelming, making it difficult to determine which course is the optimal choice for your needs.
I trust that you have found this post beneficial, as these insights have aided me in identifying the most suitable and beneficial courses for learning coding over the years. This can significantly impact your learning journey, so it’s crucial to delve deeper and compare options when selecting your next coding course.
Occasionally, a $10 course may offer the best return on investment, while other times, utilizing free resources may be more beneficial. It all depends on your specific learning objectives and preferences.
For beginners embarking on their coding journey, now is the ideal time to carefully plan your approach. As you delve into new topics regularly, it’s easy to become sidetracked by the sheer volume of intriguing information. I’ve experienced this firsthand, but having a clear goal and a structured plan can help maintain focus.
Remember, setting a goal is the first step towards achieving it.
Ultimately, understanding your objectives with coding is paramount.
If you found this guide on maximizing your investment in online coding courses helpful, please share your thoughts in the comments below! How has your overall experience been? Any unexpected discoveries with the courses you’ve taken?
P.S. Don’t forget to share this post with others if you found it valuable! Thank you!
Looking forward to the next post! Happy coding!
-CODEICAL