Hello! That's great that you're interested in learning coding and programming as an incoming IT student! Since your senior mentioned that Java is the language you'll be learning in your first year, it's a good idea to start familiarizing yourself with the basics of Java programming.
Here are some steps you can take to get started with Java:
1. Learn the Basics: Begin by understanding the fundamental concepts of programming such as variables, data types, loops, conditional statements, and functions. You can find many resources online that offer introductory Java tutorials and courses.
2. Practice Coding: The best way to learn programming is by practicing coding. You can use online coding platforms like häçkerRank, LeetCode, or Codecademy to solve Java coding challenges and exercises.
3. Read Java Books: Consider getting a good Java programming book to deepen your understanding of the language. Some popular books for beginners include "Head First Java" by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates, and "Effective Java" by Joshua Bloch.
4. Join Online Communities: Engage with online forums and communities like Stack Overflow, Reddit's r/learnjava, or Java-specific forums to ask questions, seek help, and learn from others.
5. Build Projects: Once you have a good grasp of the basics, start working on small projects to apply your knowledge. Building projects will help you solidify your understanding and gain practical experience.
As for your preference not to use video tutorials, there are plenty of written tutorials, documentation, and interactive coding platforms available for learning Java. Here are some resources you can explore:
1. Oracle Java Tutorials: The official Java tutorials provided by Oracle cover a wide range of topics from beginner to advanced levels.
2. Codecademy: Codecademy offers interactive Java courses that allow you to practice coding directly in your browser.
3. GeeksforGeeks: GeeksforGeeks provides detailed Java tutorials, coding examples, and interview preparation resources.
4. Java Documentation: The Java documentation on Oracle's website is an excellent resource for understanding Java concepts and features.
Remember, learning to code is a journey that requires patience and practice. Don't hesitate to ask questions and seek help when needed. Good luck with your Java learning journey!