Millions of programmers and developers use it daily to produce desktop programs, web apps, and even video games. As one of the earliest object-oriented languages, Java offers streamlined programming that makes it easier to create polished, appealing work. Java’s popularity, power, and diverse uses make it a valuable skill for high school students interested in coding careers.
While some teens may learn Java independently without help, for most, finding the best Java class is essential. Thankfully, there are many rewarding, enlightening, and efficient learning programs available for students that will transform their lives and lay the foundation for an exciting and rewarding career. Furthermore, since the AP Computer Science program focuses so heavily on Java, learning it in high school makes it easier for teens to master it in college
Why Should High Schoolers Learn Java?
With so many popular and powerful tech-related skills available for high schools to study, why should they focus on Java? This language offers many advantages that will make it easier for students from all walks of life to improve their lives in rewarding ways. Starting in high school helps solidify their skills even further. Here are a few reasons why teens should master Java:
- Diverse Uses: As mentioned previously, Java is a powerful programming language used in web development, game design, and mobile applications, particularly with Android tools. Therefore, learning it lays the foundation for many rewarding careers.
- Popular and Relatively Easy to Learn: While Python has overtaken Java as the most popular and easy-to-learn coding tool, Java remains in the top three. As a result, it’s an outstanding first coding language, and mastering it makes it easy to understand others.
- Powerful Tools and Independence: Unlike some coding languages, Java is platform-independent, which broadens its use even further. Java also provides excellent documentation support, open-source libraries, and development tools.
- Unique Soft Skills: Learning Java helps students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and logical reasoning while preparing them for careers in software development. These soft skills are practical not just in their jobs but in their daily lives.
Considerations for Choosing a Course
When choosing a Java class, high schoolers may find themselves overwhelmed with dozens of potential options. As a result, it can be tricky to narrow down their choice to the best course. Thankfully, the following considerations can streamline this process for teens and their parents.
Class Difficulty and Personal Coding Experience
Java programs offer varying levels of challenge based on a student’s experience. Some focus on beginner-friendly courses to help teens who’ve never worked with programming. Others require coding experience. So, students must choose wisely before signing up for a session.
Course Format
Most teen coding classes take place over the summer so students can focus on their studies. These intensive sessions include self-paced classes high schoolers can complete as they like and instructor-led programs that require regular and consistent attendance in person or online.
Hands-On Projects
During their Java classes, teens split their studies between theoretical lessons and practical exercises. These include fundamental coding exercises on workable apps. The best learning programs offer as much hands-on work as possible so students can sharpen their skills further.
AP Computer Science Preparation
Most Java courses align with AP CS A standards, meaning students can earn credits towards this college program. However, others don’t, though they may cost less, making choosing them more difficult. Furthermore, teens should also consider classes that offer certificates.
Cost
Finally, teens and their parents must choose a program that fits their budget. Some classes cost thousands of dollars, which might be challenging for many to afford. Thankfully, schools offer multiple financing options for learners from all walks of life to significantly reduce their expenses.
What High Schoolers Can Do With Java
After learning Java, students can use this coding language in many exciting ways. Since Java is such an adaptable, easy-to-use, and powerful coding language, there’s almost no limit to its possibilities! In fact, teenagers with clever and flexible minds may find themselves pulled toward a dozen different subjects and need a little help focusing. For example, they could easily:
- Develop games and mobile apps (Android development) and even synchronize these tools for cross-platform usage, such as Apple-based phones and tablets
- Build web applications using Java frameworks, including ecommerce sites, enterprise-level systems, and social media platforms for various purposes
- Automate repetitive tasks with scripts, which is particularly useful in data-related jobs and markets, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence design
- Compete in coding competitions and hackathons to sharpen their skills, network more effectively, and even qualify for better scholarships and loans in college
Teens may also find themselves interested in subjects like the Internet of Things (IoT), which focuses on integrating online adaptability into various tools. Even better, they can study popular Java frameworks like Eclipse IoT, Kura, and ThingWorx to transition into this growing field while also building their knowledge of related industries. Diversity is the name of the game with Java.
Balancing High School and Java Learning Demands
Trying to master Java requires a hefty time commitment. Teenagers serious about this study should spend a minimum of 5-10 hours weekly with lessons and practical exercises. During summer classes, they may even work 40 hours every week to perfect their skills! For students unused to hard work or with busy schedules, this investment can be challenging. Thankfully, high schoolers can fit Java learning into their schedules by following these simple tips.
Staying Consistent
Studying consistently for a few hours daily can help students solidify their skills. That said, busier teens can focus their learning on the weekend. For example, 2-5 hours on Saturday and Sunday practicing Java (and an hour or so each weekday) is enough to perfect their Java skills!
Choosing Flexible Courses
While the best classes typically use a more structured design, some also offer self-paced elements to help teenagers master Java. For example, asynchronous video suites help answer difficult questions and provide high schoolers with more support for their learning needs.
Learning Practical Skills
High schoolers can also integrate Java into their day-to-day lives to better understand its diverse uses. For example, applying Java to school projects in math and science can deepen their skills, impress their teachers, and make mastery much easier to obtain through study.
Finding Study Buddies
Some teenagers might need “study buddies” who can keep them motivated and accountable while learning Java. For example, joining coding clubs exposes them to new friends and peers and can make mastering this and other programming languages a more enjoyable experience.
Jobs Available After Learning Java
The tech market offers an almost limitless world of potential careers and exciting positions with high earning potential. Many include six-figure salaries that will transform a teen’s life after they complete their training. Even better, these jobs transition well into multiple industries, including artificial intelligence and healthcare. While advanced skills are required for Java careers, students can explore the following positions after completing their programming training:
- Mobile Developer: A Mobile Developer creates apps for iOS and Android phones using Java and other programming languages. They can earn about $92,000 annually.
- Software Engineer: A Software Engineer uses Java and other coding languages to produce practical software tools. These professionals make an average of $130,000.
- Java Developer: As a Java Developer, teens will focus specifically on using this powerful language to produce diverse and engaging applications.
- Computer Scientist: A Computer Scientist career focuses heavily on researching new computing solutions. Expect a median salary of around $145,000 in this industry.
- Web Developer: Though a Web Developer more commonly uses HTML, CSS, and Python, they may utilize Java when producing apps and software for websites.
- Back End Developer: Using Python and Java, a Back End Developer syncs sites to networks and crafts databases that improve a website’s operation.
Benefits of Taking a Java Bootcamp
A structured Java bootcamp offers high schoolers many fantastic benefits that make them a wise investment for any serious learner. These summer programs are designed to walk teenagers through complex subjects quickly and comprehensively to solidify their skills and ensure that they feel comfortable with what they’ve learned. In this way, they can transition to higher learning experiences and build on their abilities. Their significant benefits include:
- Guided learning with structured lessons that build on previously mastered concepts to help students walk away more confident in their skills
- Experienced mentors who offer more personalized feedback opportunities, including correcting a student’s misunderstanding to expand their abilities even further
- Real-world projects that build portfolios that high schoolers can share with colleges and potential employers, including freelancing jobs and careers
- Networking opportunities with industry professionals that can help them find work after they complete their training or improve their scholarship options
Why Taking a Java Course is Better Than Learning for Free
While resources like free seminars, YouTube videos, and web forums can supplement a paid learning experience, teens shouldn’t rely on them alone. Put simply, these low-cost or free resources can improve a high schooler’s studies and deepen their skills, but they don’t offer a comprehensive experience. As a result, it’s critical to invest in hands-on paid programs that sharpen a student’s understanding and build their abilities in powerful ways. They can:
- Provide More Accountability: Most high schoolers studying Java are likely reasonable and thoughtful individuals who don’t want to waste their parents’ money. In this way, paid classes keep students on track in ways that free learning resources can’t match.
- Hands-On Practice: Free Java classes typically focus on theoretical concepts and have little to no project-based learning. That makes it far more challenging for teens to master Java using them. Paid classes are chock full of high-quality learning projects.
- Immediate Feedback: Teachers typically set up their free or low-cost classes and simply let students get to work. Usually, there’s little to no professor feedback. In paid programs, teenagers get access to instructors and mentors to improve their skills.
- Community Support: Sure, free learning resources offer a few forums and peer discussions to help build a learner’s skills. However, paid programs often include far better and more comprehensive community support tools for serious students.
Financing Options for Java Courses
Since most Java programs cost a few thousand dollars, teens and parents might find them hard to justify. That’s unfortunate because these life-changing training sessions typically have reasonable class repayment plans that help cut down on initial expenses! In fact, most take a family’s ability to repay into consideration when providing financing options such as:
- Scholarships: Often, Java training schools offer scholarships that cut down on class expenses. Some are merit-based, while others focus on low-income individuals.
- Financial Aid: Financial aid options include loans directly from the school, typically at more reasonable interest rates, with repayment plans based on a family’s needs.
- Payment Plans: Many schools divide class costs into structured settlements, such as monthly payments or even 3-5 smaller repayment blocks.
- Free Trials: Some providers, particularly asynchronous courses, offer free trials that allow students to get a taste of what a Java class affords them.
Skills High Schoolers Learn in Java Courses
Java courses teach various important, fundamental lessons that help build a student’s skills in powerful ways. Mastering these underlying techniques can expand a teen’s understanding, make it easier for them to master coding in general, and help them transition to even more powerful concepts. Here are a few things that they’ll study in their intensive programs.
Core Programming Concepts
Before moving on to more advanced subjects, high schoolers will study foundational Java concepts like variables, loops, and conditionals. These basics form the bedrock of all programs and applications, and mastering them early helps make later lessons far more approachable.
Object-Oriented Programming
Since Java is an object-oriented programming language, students will learn topics like classes, objects, and inheritance to build their skills. They’ll also study object-based implementation, including choosing the best times to utilize OOP concepts throughout their applications.
Game and App Development
Since Java is used primarily in application and game production, teenagers will dive deep into concepts like Java frameworks like Greenfoot. They’ll also learn how to use Java with Android Studio to produce applications for this popular and easy-to-use phone operating system.
Data Structures and Algorithms
More complex topics, like computing algorithms and data structures, help learners expand their Java understanding in powerful ways. These tools are essential for problem-solving, particularly when deciding what coding techniques to use to solve specific, highly complicated problems.
How Easy Is It to Learn Java?
Java is considered one of the easiest coding languages to learn today. In fact, it was literally designed for ease of use, with object-oriented creation cutting back on repetitive tasks. While Python is easier to master, Java’s relative simplicity and structured syntax make it an excellent tool for first-time coding language for teens. That said, more advanced subjects will require a paradigm shift for many learners, i.e., changing how they think about programming processes.
How Long Will It Take To Learn Java?
Mastering Java can take six months to a year, depending on a student’s learning schedule, inherent abilities, and willingness to study. For example, even 5-10 hours of practice a week can help most teenagers master Java in around a year. However, more dedicated students who study 20-30 hours every week during the summer might learn it far more quickly. Thankfully, high-quality bootcamps streamline this experience and provide real, tangible benefits.
Best Java Courses for High Schoolers
Teenagers ready to jump into Java study must talk with their parents about the best classes for their learning needs. With hundreds of potential schools and courses available from colleges, universities, and private trainers, it’s essential to step back, examine a few of these programs, and gauge their value. Below, parents and teenagers can learn about some of the most popular teen-based tech schools and a couple of their best Java-related courses and programs.
NextGen Bootcamp
NextGen Bootcamp is a high school-based training team that offers summer learning programs for students fascinated by coding-related subjects. Teenagers can take in-person classes at the New York City center or live online. Each session includes lectures from a friendly professor, powerful hands-on exercises, rewarding networking experiences, and 1-on-1 mentoring opportunities. In this way, NextGen Bootcamp offers a high-level learning atmosphere.
Computer Science Summer Program Live Online
Computer Science Summer Program Program Live Online is a two-part program that teaches students about Java, Python, computer science, and data science. In the first section, they’ll master object-oriented programming and recursion and then study data-related coding in the next. Students receive 95 hours of hands-on instruction, a verified digital certificate of completion to share with others, and project-based work that creates a rewarding portfolio.
Java Programming Summer Program Live Online
Java Programming Summer Program Live Online is technically just the first section of Computer Science Summer Program Live Online distilled into one easy-to-understand course. It’s an excellent choice for learners who don’t want to study Python or data science while mastering Java. Lessons include hands-on exercises, such as focused programming projects that help students master object-oriented coding while deepening their computer science skills.
CodeWizardsHQ
CodeWizardsHQ focuses on providing kids and teenagers from ages 8-18 with hands-on tech-related lessons. Over the last 10 years, CodeWizardsHQ has helped over 10,000 high schools learn Java, Python, and data science. With elementary, middle, and high school programs available, CodeWizardsHQ offers sessions for learners of all skills. Each session includes a highly structured environment that rewards focused and determined learners.
Introduction to Java
Introduction to Java is the first section of CodeWizardsHQ’s AP Computer Science prep course. Students learn fundamental programming concepts as they build workable projects using Java. Topics they’ll study include classes, variables, methods, conditional logic, looping, data modeling, and recursion. Sessions take place entirely online, meaning that teenagers can complete their courses at home while enjoying their relaxing summer break away from school.