Effectively Learning to Code

Build focused study habits and clear learning methods to help you progress steadily through coding challenges, before writing your first line of code.

Hours

Beginner

  Last Updated
June 2025

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This course includes:

  • Access to private discord community
  • lessons, videos, checklists, and more

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Prerequisites:

No previous experience is needed! We'll guide you through everything you need to know.

Overview

Curriculum

Mentor

FAQs

What everyone wish they knew before they started to learn programming...

What we'll cover

  • Build a study plan that fits your life
  • Start your next course or coding project with real focus
  • Spot and fix the habits that were slowing you down
  • Track your progress in a way that keeps you motivated
  • Understand how the brain learns

Learning to code is difficult! Don't make it even harder with bad habits.

Every week, I talk to people who’ve given up on coding. And they usually say things like:

  • “I couldn’t keep up after the first few weeks.”
  • “I started strong, then just... stopped.”
  • “I felt like I was spinning in circles. Tutorials made a little sense, but nothing stuck.”


And most of them blame themselves. They assume they just weren’t smart enough or “weren’t wired for tech.”

But, what if the real reason they're falling off isn’t IQ, but their approach to learning?

Oftentimes, people try to learn code like it’s a school subject or a soft skill. That method doesn’t hold up.

Programming demands a different kind of thinking: focused, layered, recursive. If your brain isn’t trained for that kind of work, even simple problems can feel impossible.

This free course gives you the system to fix that early.

It’s short, actionable, and designed to help beginners stay in the game past week two, where most people quietly drop off.

Start From the Pre-Coding Foundation

This self paced course gives you a solid precoding foundation and shows you how to approach learning like a developer (typically in 2 to 4 hours) so you don’t lose steam halfway in.

Mental models that actually work for technical learning.

Learn why most people default to short-term memory tactics. Then replace them with learning habits that compound.

This way, you’ll build a foundation for long-term understanding instead of chasing dopamine hits from tutorials.

The study mistake that drives beginners into burn out. 

A lot of smart people run out of motivation because they approach study time like a sprint.

You'll discover how to set up rhythms that protect your focus, attention, and energy.

The hidden discipline problem that sabotages progress.

Willpower isn’t the answer. Most people struggle because they’re working in an environment that constantly pulls them out of flow.

But there’s a clear method to fix that.

How to create a weekly plan to make your learning visible.

You’ll get a structure for how to measure your own learning progress in the first few weeks.

This helps cut down on second-guessing and gives you a way to track what’s actually improving.

A smarter way to deal with getting stuck. 

No course, bootcamp, or tutorial can prevent you from hitting walls. What matters is how you handle those walls when they show up.

This free course gives you tools for that, too.

There’s no coding in this course, because right now you don’t need that.

Your time is precious! Maximize the return on your time investment by making sure your body, mind, and environment are primed for learning.

Course Outline

Introduction

  • Get started on your journey to becoming a more effective learner.
  • Letter from the Author
  • Welcome!

Key Concepts

  • Discover evidence-based strategies and techniques to optimize your learning process and build lasting knowledge.
  • Understanding Your Brain
  • Building Habits
  • Optimizing your Learning Environment
  • Notetaking and Journaling
  • Feedback and Mentorship
  • Planning and Outlining
  • Evaluating Learning Experiences

Conclusion

  • Plan your continued learning journey and implement the strategies you've learned.
  • Next Steps

Join developers who chose...

depth over speed,
understanding over memorization, and 
professional skills over participation certificates.

Who Is This For?

This is for people who want to learn to code faster and smarter.

You don’t need to know the difference between front-end and back-end yet, but you do need to be serious about giving this your best shot and avoiding the traps that take out 90% of beginners.

So if any of these sound familiar, this course is for you:
  • You’re curious about coding but don’t want to jump in blindly
  • You’ve tried learning before but lost steam early
  • You’re joining a paid program and want to show up with momentum
  • You’re self-teaching and tired of jumping from one YouTube tutorial to the next
  • You’re looking for structure and clarity
This wasn't thrown together overnight.

It comes from what I’ve seen again and again across hundreds of coding journeys, and that includes bootcamp students and self-taught developers.

I’ve seen what makes people quit. I’ve seen what helps people follow through.

And I’ve packaged that insight into a short, practical free course that helps you build the right mindset from the start.

About the Author

Eric Wise

Software Architect | Mentor | Entrepreneur
Eric isn't just another online instructor, he's a veteran software architect, multi-time tech entrepreneur, and someone who's been in every corner of the industry from tech start ups, big corporations, and freelancing.
But what makes Eric truly special is his legendary ability to explain complex concepts in ways that actually stick.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take?

On average, it takes about 2–4 hours to complete. But there’s no pressure to rush through it.

You can take your time, break it up into smaller sessions, or revisit sections whenever it makes sense for you. You’ll have full access whenever you need a refresher.

Do I need any coding experience to take this course?

Not at all.

This course is built for beginners, including those who haven’t written a single line of code yet. The focus is on learning how to study coding in a way that actually works, so you’re better prepared when you do start writing code.

Will I be writing any code in this course?

No, and that’s intentional.

This course lays the groundwork for how to learn, so when you start coding, you’re not overwhelmed, scattered, or stuck in endless tutorials. It gives you the structure and clarity most beginners wish they had earlier.

What do I need to take the course?

All you need is a decent internet connection and something to take notes with. You can use your laptop, tablet, or even your phone.

Is this course really free? What's the catch?

Yes, it’s 100% free.

It’s a way to help new developers build a strong foundation before diving into technical lessons. If you find it helpful and want to keep going, SkillFoundry offers next-step courses you can explore later. But there's no pressure.

Forge your Future. Learn to Code.

You can’t fast-forward time, but you can stop wasting it.

Join now and start making real progress.

Start today.

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Monthly Plan

$75/month

  • Full access to all courses and learning paths
  • Learn at your own pace. No deadlines or pressure
  •  Regular content updates and new project releases
  • Access to our supportive Discord community
  • Help from the Skill Foundry team when you need it

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Annual Plan

$600/year

  • All monthly plan benefits
  • Access 24/7 to all courses and updates