Hello, World! 👋

My name is Anastasia and I'm a Junior Java developer based in Saint-Petersburg, Russia.

I'm so excited to launch this Telegram channel! Think of it as a cozy corner of the internet where I'll be sharing my coding journey, the ups and downs, and everything I'm learning along the way ☺️

A bit about where I'm at right now:

I'm currently finishing my tech degree at NUST MISIS (ranked 11th among Russia's best universities by Forbes) and developing a gamification backend module for Russian LMS platforms along with my graduation paper.

Why start a channel?

Because tech is better when we learn together! Here's what you can expect:

— Java tips & tricks
— Learning & certification resources
— Honest conversations about career struggles (imposter syndrome, anyone?

Connect with me elsewhere too:

- dev.to

Free Java courses (with certificates!) from the creators of IntelliJ IDEA 🤯

Сonfession time: I've been using IntelliJ IDEA for ages, but somehow I totally slept on Hyperskill — the learning platform from JetBrains.

You know, the same folks who made our beloved IDE? Yeah, them.

And guess what? They have 82 (!!) completely free courses — not just on Java, but also Python, Kotlin, Web Dev, DevOps, AI tools, SQL… you name it.

Here's why I'm low-key obsessed:

🧠 Real coding exercises — not just theory, you actually write code
🎮 Gamification and progress visualization — you get 7 "lives" per day (aka 7 mistakes), which honestly? Keeps me from rage-quitting
📁 Project-based tracks — build things that look like real-world apps

For my fellow Java travelers, here's what Hyperskill offers FOR FREE:

— Introduction to Java — basics, data structures, OOP, debugging
— Java Developer — syntax, functional programming, collections, multithreading, design patterns
— Introduction to Spring Boot with Java — dependency injection, autoconfiguration, building web apps
— Java Backend Developer (Spring Boot) — next-level Spring Boot and testing
— Java Desktop Application Developer — yes, Swing is still a thing!
— Java Full Stack Developer — backend (Java) + frontend (JavaScript)
— Spring Security for Java Backend Developers — auth, authorization, roles (not for absolute beginners)
— Advanced Java — design patterns, performance tuning, Java 17 deep dives
— Algorithmic Thinking for Java Developers — because sometimes LeetCode hurts less with a plan

My take: If you're learning Java and want structured, hands-on practice without burning a hole in your pocket — this is gold. Also, certificates!

Have you tried Hyperskill yet? What's your go-to free learning resource? Drop it in comments — let's share the wealth 💬

#JavaResource

3 Dev Productivity Tips That Actually Work ☕️

A while back, I wrote a deep dive into productivity for actiTIME — 32 strategies backed by research and real-world testing. The article resonated with a lot of people (still does!), but honestly? Some tips aged better than others.

As a developer now, I went back to my own writing and asked: what actually helps when you're deep in code, facing complex problems, and trying to stay in flow?

Here are my top 3 picks — the ones that survived the "developer test":

1. Flowtime > Pomodoro ⏳

Pomodoros (25/5) are great for certain tasks, but they can destroy deep focus when you're solving complex problems. The Flowtime technique is simpler:

— Start a timer when you begin
— Work until you naturally lose focus or hit a good stopping point
— Take a break (as long as you need)
— Repeat

Why it works: complex logic needs uninterrupted thinking time. Flowtime respects that.

2. The "3 Most Important Tasks" Rule 📝

Every morning, write down only three things you want to accomplish. Not ten. Three. And do the hardest one first ("eat the frog").

By lunch, you've already made real progress on what matters. Everything after that is a bonus.

3. Track Your Time (Even If You Think You Don't Need To) ⏲️

You can't optimize what you don't measure. Use a simple time tracker Toggl, or even a notebook) for one week. At the end of each day, look at:

— How many hours did you actually code?
— What interrupted you most?
— When were you most productive?

No judgment — just patterns. Then adjust accordingly.

Want the full list? The original article has 29 more tips on beating procrastination, managing stress, and mastering your tools. Still relevant, still useful.

👉 Read the full article here: 32 Effective Ways to Increase Productivity at Work (+ Tools)

What's your #1 productivity struggle as a dev? Drop it in the comments — let's compare notes 👇