Which is better to self learn or go to school?

G

GGFSS

New Member
In my spare time I mostly like to program. Mostly python, visual basic, lisp. I like to learn new computer languages. But right now, I'm kind of looking for a job or maybe to go to college. This limits the amount of time I can program.
Do you think I should go to a college or university to get into a computer field? I like teaching myself because I can pace myself and I don't have to worry about time constrainst. I don't feel that I have to learn everything in a rushed time.
I like to program after coming home from my part time restaurant job. I don't get much hours in the summer. Should I go to college or maybe even university to take computer class? Or should I stay at my job and learn about computers by myself using websites/ computer books? In the future I would like a computer related job. But right now I am okay with trying to self learn in my spare time.

Thanks for any help. I'm in a pickle about what I should do. :confused:
 
I prefer self learning, as you can move at your own pace, but to do it yourself, you need determination and somewhere where you cannot be distracted at all.
 
I prefer self teaching, but then school as well. For the different programming classes/HTML at my school, it was great to already understand the stuff a little, and the class provides a good environment for honing your skills. Of course, I'm talking about high school, though any learning environment would likely be very helpful, and follow along the same lines.

This thread looks like an excellent opportunity for me to ask about different certifications. I've seen books about them at Barnes and Noble, but never really understood what they are. Is that similar to a college degree in the field? What does it take to get one? (HS Education at least, plus tests, right?) [/hijack]
 
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i agree with the degree. Besides landing a job it shows leadership which they like. if its for fun only and hobby you might want to look at on line classes. some are very good. it was quite a few years ago though. somebody might have a link to some.
 
Do all online classes require a HS Diploma? Or would there be some out there that I could take right now? I know that some colleges offer different classes while in High School, totally online. I'd like to find a university level HTML/CSS class that I could take online now. I really want to practice my skills and get into the web development field during HS. I've already taken the HTML class in my HS, but didn't really learn much. We basically went through basic exercises, and my teach wasn't very flexible... simply HTML, then Dreamweaver... that's it. He didn't really allow much else in the projects, mostly because he doesn't know CSS or Javascript or anything of that nature. I'd like some kind of class that could both teach me and give me some credibility (the rest is earned credibility though) as a web developer.

I'm okay friends with the teacher, and, he's a great guy, but I felt like sometimes I knew more that him about HTML... the class he taught??!!! He had several other classes to teach too though. I'll probably email him and ask him about it, because I remember during one class, a lady came in from IUPUI and talked a little with us about HTML, and she was an online teacher and explained her course. I think that she had kids in HS.
 
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If you just want to do it as a hobby, then I would try to learn yourself. However if you go to school to learn a certain programming language, your skills will be accredited with a degree or certificate of some sort,
 
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