5 Ways to Prepare for a Coding Bootcamp

So, you've finally decided to take up the 'overwhelming' challenge of attaining proficiency in web development, and you've chosen to do it through a web developer bootcamp. You are elated and, at the same time, anxious for what could potentially be one of the most demanding few weeks of your life. But, before you embark on your quest, it's essential to know what you are getting into.

What is a web developer bootcamp?

A web developer bootcamp, also known as a coding bootcamp, refers to an intensive, hands-on program designed to impact the essential programming skills required in today's web development space. A bootcamp focuses on the most important industry-relevant skills and programming languages needed to excel and kickstart a great career. In short, the idea is to take students with no coding experience to a level where they can tackle any project.

While regular college degrees could take up to four years to acquire, anyone can attend a bootcamp and attain the same level of proficiency within a few months. This is probably one of the things that make the idea of attending a bootcamp more appealing to lots of aspiring web developers.

How to prepare for a coding bootcamp

Now that you are about to dive into the unfamiliar territory of web development, it only makes sense to be equipped as much as possible to ensure the transition is smooth for you. There is nothing worse than joining a web developer bootcamp and feeling like you are several miles behind everyone else. It is essential to tick all the boxes and be adequately prepared before even taking the first lesson from the boot camp. Here are 5 ways to prepare for a coding bootcamp:

Read up

This step is probably one of the most often overlooked steps when it comes to preparing for a bootcamp. As easy as it sounds, it can make or break your bootcamp experience. Most bootcamps will have materials for you to read before the commencement of the bootcamp.  If you have read all the material provided, don't rest on your laurels. Start doing some digging online and offline for beginner-friendly books on web development and coding. This approach will help lay a solid foundation and introduce you to some of the programming languages you will be learning at the bootcamp.

Other sources of information about coding are online forums and question and answer sites. Anyone can interact and ask questions about just anything on these sites. You will find a category dedicated to web development and coding, where you can ask questions from established and experienced coders.

The bootcamp will spell out the programming languages they will cover, so make sure you get books and resources that tackle those languages at the beginner level.

Start taking coding tutorials online

If you have started reading introductory books on web development, you should try to take it a step further by combing the web for beginner-friendly tutorials. Now, at this point, the idea of taking online tutorials might sound unnecessary, but it's a great way to lower your learning curve when you get to the bootcamp. There are lots of online tutorials that will take you by the hand and work you through the main programming languages you will be learning at the web developer bootcamp. While lots of these tutorials are available online for free, don't be discouraged by the idea of spending a few bucks for some little "extra."

If you don't know where to start, YouTube is a resource where you can access tons of free tutorials by real web developers who are skilled in your language of interest. These tutorials will give you a head start and help you understand your instructors when you get to the bootcamp.

Start fine-tuning your typing skills

If you are not used to typing a lot, the chances are that your typing skills need some improvement. Typing will be the most frequently deployed tool in your arsenal throughout the bootcamp. Even if you can type lots of words within a short period right now, typing codes with lots of special characters and punctuations at a similar speed can quickly become a steep challenge.

There are many programs online specially designed to help people get better at typing. And the best part is most of these programs are free as well. When you start your bootcamp, you are likely to begin writing your first line of code the first day, and strong typing skills will give you an edge.

Organize your resume

While this step may sound like one that should be left until the completion of your web developer bootcamp, doing it right away is an indication that you are prepared for a web development career. Organizing your credential right now will save you valuable time when you are done with the bootcamp as you will only need to update it to reflect your current skill set and experience.

At this point, you can also begin to make some changes to your online presence. For instance, your Facebook and Twitter should reflect the professional you will become after the bootcamp.

Take time to visit the bootcamp

It's almost impossible to talk about preparing for a coding bootcamp without a mention about attending the bootcamp. It's surprising how people trivialize this step. If you are going to be spending the next few months in a new intensive environment, its only right to visit the platform to ensure it's an environment you will be comfortable with.

Try reaching out to the instructors and asking them questions about the bootcamp and their teaching methods. That way, you will quickly realize if you will be able to adjust to such methods. If you can find a current or past student of the bootcamp, interact with them and ask them to share their experiences with you.

Adequate preparation for a web developer bootcamp will ensure you hit the ground running as soon as possible. Also, don't forget to add dedication and determination to the mix. And, always remember, this is within your reach. No one can make it happen, but you.

Join University of Texas coding Bootcamp today and prepare yourself for the cutting-edge technology.

Web Development Team Lead

Zsolt Nagy

Zsolt Nagy is a web development team lead, mentor, and software engineer living in Berlin, Germany. One of his well-recognized pieces of work is “ES6 in Practice” which covers the complete developer’s guide. He has a unique blend of experience in developing web projects and software consultancy with a proven track record of 15 years. He currently leads a Frontend Engineering team at Sociomantic Labs and mentors 10 leads and 35 software developers. He also has expertise in establishing processes, elements of Kanban, and structuring reporting lines.