👨‍💻 How I Started Learning Java at 15 (and You Can Too)

 

When I first heard of Java, I thought it was just something to do with Minecraft mods or Android apps. I didn’t realize it would become my gateway into real programming. If you're a teenager thinking about learning Java — here’s exactly how I started, what I struggled with, and how you can start too.

🧠 Why I Chose Java

I could’ve started with Python — everyone says it's easier.
But I picked Java because:

• It’s used in AP Computer Science A

• It teaches you real computer science concepts like object-oriented programming

• You can make games, GUIs, and mobile apps

• It’s used by big companies (and Minecraft too 😄)

🚀 How I Got Started (Step by Step)

1. I learned the basics first

I started with:

• What is a variable?

• How to use int, double, String

• Writing if statements, for loops, and while loops

I used YouTube and some free websites like w3schools.com and Programiz.

2. I practiced every day

I wasn’t doing 3 hours a day or anything crazy.
But even 20 minutes daily helped me get comfortable with:

• Writing code without copying

• Fixing my own bugs (ugh, semicolons 😤)

• Reading error messages
  
  

 

3. I built small projects

Here are the first projects I made:

• A calculator that could add, subtract, multiply, and divide

• A number guessing game

• A simple password login system

📈 What to Learn After the Basics

Once I got comfortable with variables, loops, and conditionals, I started learning the real power tools of Java:

🔹 Arrays and ArrayLists

These help you store and manage multiple values—like a list of scores or names.

• int[] numbers = {1, 2, 3};

• ArrayList<String> names = new ArrayList<>();

🔹 Loops (For and While)

I dove deeper into for-loops and while-loops to do things over and over:

🔹 Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

This is where Java really shines. I learned how to:

• Create my own classes

• Use constructors to initialize objects

• Write methods to make objects do things

• Use inheritance, encapsulation, and more

• OOP helped me think like a real developer — building my own mini-systems, not just scripts.

 Tools I Used (That You Can Too)

• IDE: I started with BlueJ (super beginner-friendly), then moved to IntelliJ

• Practice Sites: CodingBat, Replit, AP Classroom, LeetCode (when I got better)

• YouTube Channels:

  • Bro Code (Java beginner)

  • CS Dojo

  • Programming with Mosh