How can you combine work with bootcamp life and maximize your learning outcome? This is how you survive and succeed at an Accelerate bootcamp. 

The definition of a bootcamp is “a short, intensive, and rigorous course of training”. The concept is probably best known in the military, where a bootcamp is an intense training camp for recruits, with very harsh discipline. 

But bootcamps have also become a more common education concept, especially within IT and technology. Through fast-paced learning, a bootcamp gives participants an intense learning experience in a relatively short period. 

Accelerate bootcamps offers the opportunity to learn new skills while working full time. 

Going to bootcamp will give you skills that can boost your career, but it requires motivation and dedication to get the most out of the ten weeks. 

So, how do you balance family life, work-life and bootcamp life? How do you make sure you learn as much as you can during your bootcamp? 

11 tips for surviving, and succeeding, at bootcamp 

 

1. Prepare your family and friends 

A bootcamp will require a lot of your attention, between 10 and 20 hours a week. To avoid conflicts and make your life easier it is important to tell your family and friends that you are going to be more busy than usual for a period. 

The advantage of an Accelerate bootcamp, compared to other part-time study programs, is that it only lasts for ten weeks. That allows you to be extra social before, and after, making sure that friendships and relationships don’t suffer. 

2. Make a plan 

Spending 10-20 hours a week studying might seem like smooth sailing, but without an actual plan it could quickly become more stressful than you would like. 

One of the major advantages of part time, online, bootcamps is the flexibility it gives you. 

But it is still important to have a plan. Sit down with your calendar and plot the hours you need to put in so that it is clear to you what you are getting into.  

What times suit your schedule? That will vary from person to person, depending on your work situation, family life, and other commitments. You know your life best and should plan accordingly.  

The most important thing is to make sure you dedicate time to learn. 

It is also a good idea to revise your plan throughout the bootcamp.  

Read more: Accelerate Bootcamp - How it works

3. Talk to your boss 

A lot of employers will be glad to hear you are planning to improve your tech skills. If you can argue that the new knowledge will be beneficial for the company you work for it is more likely that your boss will give you more flexibility while you are attending bootcamp, or even pay for it. 

Anyway, it is smart to inform your employer about your plans as soon as possible, as it allows you and your boss more time to plan for the bootcamp. You should also tell your boss how you plan to combine bootcamp life with your duties at work. 

4. Build a foundation to learn 

Bootcamps are short, which means time is of the essence. It’s important to enter your bootcamp with a foundation of what you are about to learn. Gaining some knowledge beforehand will improve your first days and weeks in a bootcamp, as you’ll already have a basic understanding of the concepts you’re working to master. Read some articles, see some YouTube videos, or talk to someone.  

The better you prepare, the better your learning experience will be. 

5. Don't go solo 

Even though you are not sat in a classroom together it is still a good idea to get to know your fellow bootcamp-participants. Through problem-solving, and discussions you will get to speak to your “classmates”, but you are also encouraged to use the digital channels to socialize and build your network. 

Going through the bootcamp together with others is mor motivating than doing it alone, and you can also learn a lot through discussions and conversations with your fellow bootcampers.  

Signing up for bootcamp together with colleges or friends can be a good idea, as it allows you to help each other throughout the course. Committing to ten weeks of learning together with someone else can make it easier to stay focused and put in the necessary work. 

Even if you sign up together with a friend, it is still a good idea to get to know the other participants. Networking is an important part of student life, and you can do the same at bootcamp. Learning to network effectively is a career skill you’ll take with you well beyond your weeks in bootcamp. 

6. Don't forget to live 

Combining work with fast-paced learning at bootcamp can be challenging, but you should still find time for other important activities you enjoy in your life. Think about what is important to you and schedule your learning around it. It could be exercising, playing golf, going to concerts, or gardening. Whatever gives you joy and positive energy! 

Also, remember your family. Small children might not be so understanding of their father/mother being unavailable for ten weeks. Make sure to make room for enough family time.   

A week consists of 168 hours, each day has 24 hours. You normally spend about 15 hours a day at work or asleep. Continue that! Getting enough quality sleep will make you more prepared to deal with bootcamp life. 

That means you have nine hours left each day. Even if you spend two to three hours studying, you still have time for other activities. It´s all about planning and prioritizing. 

7. Show up to learn 

An Accelerate bootcamp is a fast-paced learning experience, designed to give teach you as much as possible within a relatively short time. 

You signed up for the bootcamp to improve your skills and get new knowledge that can boost your career. When you start your bootcamp, make the most of it. 

Make sure you attend all the lectures, engage in discussions, and do your best to learn. Stumbling through with a minimum of effort might have got you through high school or even got you a university degree, but it does not do you any good at bootcamp. You don't go to bootcamp to get a diploma, you go to improve your skills in modern technology, skills you can use in the industry today. 

Make sure you make the most of your ten weeks at bootcamp. 

8. Ask all the silly questions 

Don't be embarrassed to ask questions. Sometimes the unasked question is the key to understanding a foundational concept. The Accelerate instructors are there to help you. They give all participants individual attention and feedback, and they have timeslots throughout the course dedicated to helping you. Make sure you make the most of it. 

Read more: The Accelerate experience

Use the digital communications channels throughout the bootcamp to ask your instructor for feedback or help, or to discuss with your classmates. 

The participants are encouraged to share and discuss their solutions with each other and the instructor. That way you are exposed to different ideas and techniques for solving shared problems. 

So, do not be afraid to ask silly questions. Remember, you are all at bootcamp to learn, and most people are happy to help if they can. 

9. Take a break from Netflix and social media 

So, you have a great plan, you have informed your boss and your family, and you are highly motivated. But there are still some time thieves that can make it hard for you to get through bootcamp. 

Turning off notifications on social media while you study can be a good idea. Scrolling through your Instagram feed, seeing your friends doing everything but studying can be distracting. 

Social media is a big part of many people’s lives, but for ten weeks it could be a good idea to turn them off while you are learning new skills. 

It is not the time to start watching a new series on Netflix either. Combining work and bootcamp can be tough enough, so binging eight seasons of the “most exciting series you have ever seen” at the same time will not make it any easier for you.  

10. Use your new skills 

So, you are learning skills at a fast pace, skills that can give you’re a career boost. Try using your skills in your job while you learn. If you can relate what you learn to what you want to use it for, it will make your bootcamp experience even more exciting. 

Even if the skills you learn are not relevant in your job today, you should still try to use them. Create a personal project where you can put your skills to use, to make sure you continue learning and exploring.  

11. Reward yourself 

Completing a bootcamp while working is something to be proud of.  Don´t be afraid to pat yourself on the back for the tremendous amount of work you've done and what you've learned over such a short period. Treat yourself to a nice meal, or buy something special for yourself. You deserve it! 

See you at bootcamp! 

     
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