Thread: A little advice please:

Hi Guys,

Firstly I would like to say hello, this is my first post so please be nice.

I am really here for some general advice, I am a final year BSc Computer Science mature student (26 years old). Now I have to be honest I went to university with all the right intentions, since a young lad computers have been a big part of my life and it seemed like the natural progression. However it soon dawned on me how much it was all going to cost. So I started an online marketing buisness to help me fund my way through university. This however led to me neglecting my Studies and I soon found myself working out Tax/Vat and worrying about work as opposed to studying and progressing along side my degree. I now find myself in my final year generally with good grades however all achieved with the minimal amount of work and it seems very little knowledge retained, I should point out not out of choice.... needs must and all that.

This is where you guys may come in handy, I am not looking for a fast track or a how to learn java in 5 hours. I am willing to put in the effort, I assure you. However I seem to have hit a wall and I cant seem to progress further.

For my final project I have stated I shall create an application using Java, MySQL... now I still have time to adjust this and finalise this with my Advisor. The problem I am having is I am not moving through Java quickly enough, I was hoping you could give me guidance from the basics up as to where/what I should be learning; tutorials, websites etc... A simple process that worked for yourselves, What I need to know before I move on.

I really do appreciate any advice you can spare. I hope I have posted this in the appropriate place and perhpas one day I shall be able to forward your kindness on.

Kindest regards

Simon

Originally Posted by SDKC

For my final project I have stated I shall create an application using Java, MySQL... now I still have time to adjust this and finalise this with my Advisor.

I never graduated from a university, so take this advice for what it's worth.

What you should find out is what kind of projects students have turned in the previous years, so you can estimate what level of difficulty is expected of you. If you turn in something too easy, you'll be considered a slacker. But if you start something too complicated and never finish, you'll be in trouble too. Your advisor should be able to help you with that.

I suppose you have to defend your project before a jury? So it might be interesting to choose something you have no trouble talking about. A jury tipically likes to hear that you encountered certain difficulties and took specific steps to resolve them. It could also help to find out who these people in the jury will be, so that you could talk about an issue they like.

Technically I'm not very proficient in Java, but I have no doubt any problem you have could be explained by somebody on this forum. Chop your problems up in simple questions and ask them as you move along.

That's what I am doing with my project.

The problem I am having is I am not moving through Java quickly enough, I was hoping you could give me guidance from the basics up as to where/what I should be learning; tutorials, websites etc... A simple process that worked for yourselves, What I need to know before I move on.

A book I read (at least partially) that helped me a lot is Bruce Eckel's Thinking in Java. You can download the first 7 chapters for free from his website. That should get you a long way.


Good Luck,

Alice