Introduction

In the ever-evolving field of software development, many engineers find themselves caught in a perpetual loop of learning, unable to break free from an endless cycle of tutorials and courses. This common challenge, often referred to as "tutorial hell," can stem from various factors. In this episode, we delve into our personal experiences with tutorial hell, exploring its causes and sharing practical strategies for overcoming it. Our goal is to help engineers break free from this cycle, develop productive learning habits, and ultimately save time and energy while fostering growth and development in their careers.

Host - Bede E. Hampo, Senior Software Engineer
Guest 1 - Ajayi Michael, Senior Software Engineer
Guest 2 - Ademola Thompson, Backend Engineer

What is tutorial Hell

In our discussion on tutorial hell, we each offered unique perspectives. For me, tutorial hell represents undirected or misguided learning paths that lack clear direction. Mr. Thompson, our guest speaker, defines it as an over-reliance on tutorial content to accomplish tasks. This often leads to a lack of confidence in executing tasks independently, even when one has a general idea of what needs to be done.
Mr Ajayi, on the other hand, describes it as a stage where individuals have moved past the initial challenge of committing to learning but struggle to apply their knowledge to projects that differ from those covered in tutorials. As a result, they find themselves perpetually searching for the next tutorial to guide them through their next project.

Common Cause Of Tutorial Hell

A common reason I found myself stuck in tutorial hell was self-doubt—feeling inadequate or believing I didn’t know enough. I recall searching for internship roles and constantly encountering new skills listed in job descriptions that I didn’t possess. Even without understanding the practical use of these skills, I would dive into learning them, often without a clear purpose.

Mr. Thompson pointed out that this issue often stems from an unstructured learning path and a lack of a clear vision or end goal. This can lead to jumping from one exciting technology or framework to another, resulting in a broad but superficial understanding. This approach can hinder one's ability to tackle complex problems effectively. He also noted that when individuals are tasked with building a solution, such as an e-commerce website, they may search the internet for a step-by-step guide. They often get stuck if they can’t find a resource that matches their exact requirements.

Mr Ajayi added that many tutorials are designed to present a perfect, error-free solution. However, experiencing and overcoming bugs and errors is crucial for building an engineer's confidence. Many tutorials promote the idea of "more typing, less thinking," but in reality, coding is about 70% thinking and 30% typing. Learners must understand that striving for perfection is less valuable than gaining practical experience through debugging and problem-solving.

Hints

To truly grow as an engineer, becoming comfortable with reading and writing documentation is essential. Patience with documentation—whether you're reviewing existing docs or creating your own—is a key skill for development and continuous learning. Embracing this practice not only enhances your understanding of the technologies you work with but also contributes to more effective problem-solving and knowledge-sharing within the engineering community.

How To Avoid Tutorial Hell

Mr. Thompson shared a few proven strategies to help break free from tutorial hell. When tutoring, he assigns exercises that differ from those he uses to explain similar topics, encouraging his mentees to apply their knowledge in new and challenging ways. He also emphasizes the importance of reading and understanding error messages, guiding his mentees on how to search for solutions rather than simply providing the answers. This approach has been tested to build confidence and the ability to solve complex problems independently. Additionally, he encourages engineers to engage in project-based learning—working on projects related to the topics they’ve learned, but different from the examples provided in tutorials. He likens tutorials to crutches, which are meant to assist you in walking, but the ultimate goal is to walk on your own, and that’s where project work becomes crucial.

Mr. Ajayi, on the other hand, stresses the importance of having a mentor. A mentor isn’t just someone who teaches you; they guide you, understanding your end goals and drawing from their industry experience to steer you in the right direction. This guidance can make your journey smoother and save a lot of energy. In situations where finding a mentor isn’t possible, he recommends learning through apprenticeship. Apprentices tend to learn more quickly and confidently because they gain practical experience, learn from their mistakes, and observe best practices firsthand. He also advises students to focus on crash courses and then channel their energy into projects. These projects offer focused learning and improve knowledge retention. His key advice: learn like an apprentice—pick the project before learning a new technology.