<p>I'm a firm believer in the success of group learning, and though I've never done it remotely, I'd like to give it a shot. I want to form CC's Comp Sci A self-study group; PM me/post here if you're interested. I'll most likely only use Barron's and miscellaneous videos online.</p>
<p>Any suggestions for pacing/study methods from people that have already self studied the subject are welcome!</p>
<p>Count me in!</p>
<p>Hey, I’d be interested in being a part of this. I created an account just to respond.</p>
<p>So I just purchased the Barron’s book. Do you guys have any preference as to how we do this? I was thinking of planning out a loose schedule/pacing guide just so we stay focused and on the same page throughout the year. </p>
<p>For starters, I’m going to learn Python through Khan Academy. From what I’ve heard, the main difference between languages is specific syntax, so picking up Java won’t be very hard after learning Python.
Here’s the link: [Khan</a> Academy](<a href=“Khan Academy | Free Online Courses, Lessons & Practice”>Khan Academy | Free Online Courses, Lessons & Practice)
I seriously recommend checking this site out regardless of whether you want to learn Python. It’s a great resource for learning pretty much anything.</p>
<p>I’m actually taking the AP course at my school but will follow along here as well since CS is my prospective major. This summer I’ve been following the Intro course on MIT OCW and reading a community college textbook. </p>
<p>Nice Python link; I’ll check it out.</p>
<p>Well hopefully we’ll have a faster pace online than in your class so you can use class time/homework as review. </p>
<p>Last night I started watching the Stanford lecture series on Programming Methodology, it’s fantastic. I’m thinking about just skipping Python and moving straight to Java, it seems easy enough.</p>
<p>Many people who have learned Java (not for the AP exam) have said that it isn’t that bad. You won’t need prior programming experience to get into it fairly easily. I’m probably just going to use the Barron’s book and these notes I found ([APCS</a> Java - Course Content](<a href=“http://danshuster.com/apcs/ap1_main.htm]APCS”>APCS Java - Course Content)), with some lectures if I don’t understand something. I think we should make a loose schedule based around the Barron’s book or the College Board course description so we can stay motivated. I’d personally like to finish the curriculum at the latest by around the middle of February regardless of what schedule is constructed.</p>
<p>I checked out those notes you posted, I like them a lot. The barron’s book is pretty hard to get into, hopefully it’ll become more readable as I progress. </p>
<p>I’d like to finish by then as well. I’ll work on a schedule soon and post it for revision/suggestions. </p>
<p>Out of curiosity, what other APs are you guys taking? And other self-studied?</p>
<p>I’m taking the course next year but I basically have to self study it.
I’m watching the Stanford lecture just like aboveblue and it’s GREAT!
I’m planning on watching all/most of them over the summer and practice using Head First Java. So that when I go back to school I’ll be prepared and just review the materials with the class. </p>
<p>Books I’m using:</p>
<p>Barron’s: to help understand the materials, prep for AP CS.
Be Prepared for the AP Computer Science Exam in Java: i heard this is a great book for practice exams.
Head First Java, 2nd Edition: i heard this is a fun read with lots of practice.</p>
<p>I’ll be taking AP World History and AP Computer Science.
I’ll be self studying AP Psych, possibly AP Bio and AP Euro. :)</p>
<p>As an upcoming senior:
AP Physics C (Mech and E&M)
AP Chemistry
AP Calculus BC
AP Psychology</p>
<p>Obviously, I’m a math and science person 
All of my APs are classes besides Computer Science. I’m pretty sure no one in my school has ever self-studied anything. The closest instance to self-studying was when a guy sat in on the lectures every other day in AP Chemistry and got help from the teacher to study for the AP Chemistry exam. Also, a few students get extra help from the Music Theory teacher if they want to take the AP Music Theory exam.</p>
<p>So far I’ve completed the first chapter of the Barron’s book and I’m getting close to the end of the first Unit of the notes I posted. I might shoot to have gone through the book by the end of my Christmas break so I can go through it a couple more times and take practice tests.</p>
<p>BK, did you read the Karel Unit or did you start on Unit 1? I didn’t find it to be very helpful. The Stanford guys explains Karel well, I’d advise looking at that. The notes for unit one are nice though, I’m enjoying this already.</p>
<p>I didn’t read the Karel Unit because it didn’t look helpful. I’ll probably look at the Stanford explanation then The information really is interesting, but I hope I can keep it up when school starts.</p>
<p>Count me in, i just finished karel, except for the contest. I miss karel lol. The stanford course is awesome an ive done some khan academy for other stuff. My question is, barrons or princeton review? I would probably be first in my school to take the exam.</p>
<p>O and burger, i would suggest looking at the last page in the karel reader. Quite helpful after newspaperpickingkarel</p>
<p>I’ll also be self studying AP Computer Science this year, so you guys can count me in! I’ll be using Barron’s and Stanford’s videos. Any project ideas that could help me put what I learned into practice?</p>
<p>@penguin, I think as we get further into the material to understand what we’re capable of creating, we’ll have a better idea of possible projects. </p>
<p>@Edeleon, Definitely Barron’s. I like it, and the rest of CC’s APCS students seem to as well.</p>
<p>I’m downloading Eclipse for an IDE, I recommend everyone to do the same. Most of the tutorials I’ve seen on youtube use it.</p>
<p>Are you guys going to keep any kind of notebook? I didn’t take notes while self-studying Calc AB and I was fine, but I feel like there might be too much information in APCS to just memorize.</p>
<p>Hey guys! I wanted to join your AP Comp Sci study group too. I was planning to do it myself but I learn better in a group.</p>
<p>Considering its like a language, we will need to practi r terminology. If(beepersPresent) was annoying since i would always forget the s.</p>
<p>I’m using Dr. Java for now, I can’t get Dr. Java to run :(</p>
<p>Count me in!</p>
<p>I’m not completely self-studying it. I have a teacher who will occasionally work with me and check up on my progress, but almost everything is on me.</p>
<p>If you guys can, get a hold of “Introduction to Computer Science Using Java” by Glencoe, it’s the textbook I’ve been using and it’s fantastic.</p>