<p>I just finished a college level java class. Last year I finished a year long class in scheme. Now I want to improve my programming skills. I know about the usaco...any other online classes out there? Any opportunities to do real world programming..any ideas? My school does not offer any cs classes so this is all on my own time (and dime:) I think the only way I am going get really good is by developing real world applications, right? THanks.</p>
<p>Its nice to see a fellow programmer (wannabe). I think that the only way to become a good programmer is to program on your own (still college helps a lot, but if you don't have the enthusiasm to learn on your own, you are lost). I understood many concepts at home opposed to my lazy c++ classes at school. Oddly enough especially for programming, you can learn many things on your own at home using the endless internet tutorials. I already learned a lot, in fact without knowing any java before, I needed three weeks to study for the AP Comp SCI AB exam and got a 4.
However, there are big pluses to going to college - you meet professionals, devote much time, learn how to write goo code, etc. But if you don't feel like programming at home, you will feel at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>Whatever i<em>want</em>lehigh said is 100% correct, because I learnt to program mostly at home as well (though CS classes at school were great). In my school the com.sci. class had a great ambience and the students were very enthusiastic. We'd complete assignments within a day and get the remaining days for ourselves (Unreal deathmatch and NFS knockout tournaments at school - a dozen participants - can you imagine the thrill?!) :D</p>
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"I think the only way I am going get really good is by developing real world applications, right?"
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I devised projects for myself. Another way is to contribute applications for your school etc. (I wrote a couple, e.g. library management and an instant messenger etc..) Just think of new ideas!</p>