I'm about to hit the big 3-0 and I just dove into programming, better late than never! I recently landed a job where I get to study on my laptop throughout my entire shift, from 6 AM to 3 PM. I'm currently working on my first major project using a tech stack that includes NextJS for both back and front end, Prisma, Postgres, TailwindCSS, ShadCN, and NextAuth.
I want to make the most of my study time, so I'm considering breaking it down into structured segments. For example, I could dedicate a certain number of hours to work on my project, some time to practice coding exercises on platforms like LeetCode or similar sites, and a few hours for educational videos on relevant topics. Any suggestions for how to balance my time effectively would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
That sounds like a smart plan already! You're in a great position getting paid to boost your skills. I'd suggest maybe doing around 60% of your time on the project work, 25% on targeted practice like LeetCode or HackerRank, and 15% on theoretical videos. CS50 is definitely worth checking out for solid fundamentals. Just make sure not to overdo it—coding for hours can lead to burnout!
Hey, it sounds like you've got some solid progress in just a couple of weeks. But remember, utilizing AI tools shouldn't replace actual learning. You might want to limit your dependency on those tools to ensure you're truly grasping the concepts. Tackling those errors, types, and Prisma schema directly will really pay off during tests!
I hear you! But I think using AI can actually guide your learning if you approach it the right way. Just make sure to dive deep into the reasoning behind the solutions you find.

Totally agree! You’ve got to find a balance. I used to cram too much and ended up exhausted. It's awesome that you feel ready to dive in. Keep that momentum going!