Get ready for Lambda School
Congratulations on your acceptance to Lambda School! This will be a fast-paced, intense ride, so it's important you're prepared on Day 1. Please go through each task below and reach out to admissions@lambdaschool.com if you have any questions.
Print checklist
Required: Register for Lambda Launch
Lambda Launch is our mandatory student orientation program where you’ll learn about our academic expectations, how to use the technologies necessary for your course, and how to get help when you need it. Attending Lambda Launch is a requirement for all students.
If you start Lambda School on September 27, register for Lambda Launch below. If your start date is later, expect a call from your Enrollment Advisor in the coming days/weeks to go over some important information regarding Lambda Launch (your mandatory orientation).
If you start Lambda School on September 27, register for Lambda Launch below. If your start date is later, expect a call from your Enrollment Advisor in the coming days/weeks to go over some important information regarding Lambda Launch (your mandatory orientation).
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Required*: Finish your precourse work
A strength of Lambda School is the diversity of our cohorts and the ability for learners to engage with people from many different backgrounds. We admit students based on their determination and potential to become software engineers instead of requiring prior coding experience for admission. Making the free precourse work mandatory for all students helps to improve confidence and engagement, and elevates the Lambda experience for all learners.
All Full Stack Web Development learners have until 5 PM Pacific the Thursday before start of school to complete the precourse work. Please note that learners who do not complete the precourse work before Lambda Launch will not be allowed to begin school. They will be deferred to the next available start date and issued a new enrollment agreement.
If you have any questions, you can ask them in the #precoursework channel, in the new learner slack space.
All Full Stack Web Development learners have until 5 PM Pacific the Thursday before start of school to complete the precourse work. Please note that learners who do not complete the precourse work before Lambda Launch will not be allowed to begin school. They will be deferred to the next available start date and issued a new enrollment agreement.
If you have any questions, you can ask them in the #precoursework channel, in the new learner slack space.
Precourse Work for Web Development - *Required
We’ve designed this precourse with Codecademy to help you prepare to succeed in the full-time Lambda School Web Development program. After finishing all the modules and quizzes, you’ll receive a certificate of completion which fulfills your Pre-coursework requirement. Lambda School will automatically update the requirement and send you a confirmation email. Certificates of completion must be earned no later than 5 PM Pacific time the Thursday before your start date. We look forward to seeing you in class!
Full Stack Web Precourse
If you want to prep even more, check out these resources:
HTML & CSS Resources
Khan Academy's Intro to HTML/CSS
Shay Howe's Learn to Code HTML & CSS
Flexbox Zombie
Mimo
Javascript Resources
Wes Bos Beginner Javascript
Khan Academy's Intro to Javascript
Wes Bos Free 30 Day JS Challenge
JS for Cats
Free Code Camp Challenges
HTML & CSS Resources
Khan Academy's Intro to HTML/CSS
Shay Howe's Learn to Code HTML & CSS
Flexbox Zombie
Mimo
Javascript Resources
Wes Bos Beginner Javascript
Khan Academy's Intro to Javascript
Wes Bos Free 30 Day JS Challenge
JS for Cats
Free Code Camp Challenges
Precourse Work for Data Science - Recommended
If you haven't worked through Lambda School's precourse work in its entirety we recommend you complete that first. It takes about 20 hours to completed. To log in: when you became enrolled, you should have received an email with subject line: "Your new Lambda School Auth Account" -- please use the email and password associated with your Auth account.
Data Science Pre-course Work
Getting good at Python will be your number one priority. Check out Data Camp's Intro to Python for Data Science. You can also try Python Data Science Handbook by Jake VanderPlas or Learn Python on Kaggle or Mimo.
Intro to Python for Data Science
Feel comfortable with Python already? We recommend brushing up on some mathematics or diving into modeling & databases. Check out these resources:
Mathematics
Statistics on Khan Academy
Linear Algebra on Khan Academy
3Blue1Brown's Essence of Linear Algebra
Modeling & Databases
Learn Pandas on Kaggle
Learn Data Visualization on Kaggle
Predictive Modeling on Kaggle
Codecademy's Learn SQL
Mathematics
Statistics on Khan Academy
Linear Algebra on Khan Academy
3Blue1Brown's Essence of Linear Algebra
Modeling & Databases
Learn Pandas on Kaggle
Learn Data Visualization on Kaggle
Predictive Modeling on Kaggle
Codecademy's Learn SQL
Precourse Work for Backend Development - Recommended
Java is one of the most critical programming languages used by backend developers for app development and is the foundation of the Lambda School’s backend program. To ensure that you’re fully prepared to succeed in the full-time Backend Development program, we designed this 25-hour prep course with Codecademy:
Learn Java: Prep Course for Lambda School
In addition to completing the above free course, we recommend studying the following resources:
Programming Foundations with JavaScript, HTML and CSS - A Coursera Duke University Course
This self-paced Coursera course discusses programming fundamentals using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Greenfoot: Joy of Code
If you prefer a Java only approach, The Joy of Code video series is a good resource.
If you prefer written tutorials, check out Beginner's Book: Java Basics.
Java Programming: Solving Problems with Software - A Coursera Duke University Course
This Coursera tutorial will teach you how to set up a Java Program, understanding basic Java syntax, and how to produce a complete, useful Java program. Note that the coursera course will teach you similar concepts as the Joy of Code course, but does not cover CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.
Java Programming: Arrays, Lists, and Structured Data - A Coursera Duke University Course
This final recommended course in the Coursera series expands on your knowledge of Java, adding important programming concepts such as arrays, lists, and data collections. This is done through a series of tutorials where you develop several, complete Java programs.
For written material, check out the Java Collections Tutorial.
If you're looking for more, Java Programming Masterclass for Software Developers is a for-cost course on Udemy. This is the best self-paced MOOC Java course available, according to John Mitchell, Java Instructor at Lambda School. It is way more material than what is needed to begin the Lambda School program.
Java is one of the most critical programming languages used by backend developers for app development and is the foundation of the Lambda School’s backend program. To ensure that you’re fully prepared to succeed in the full-time Enterprise Backend Development program, we designed this 25-hour prep course with Codecademy:
Learn Java: Lambda School’s Enterprise Backend Development Prep Course
In addition to completing the above free course, we recommend studying the following resources:
Programming Foundations with JavaScript, HTML and CSS - A Coursera Duke University Course
This self-paced Coursera course discusses programming fundamentals using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Greenfoot: Joy of Code
If you prefer a Java only approach, The Joy of Code video series is a good resource.
If you prefer written tutorials, check out Beginner's Book: Java Basics.
Java Programming: Solving Problems with Software - A Coursera Duke University Course
This Coursera tutorial will teach you how to set up a Java Program, understanding basic Java syntax, and how to produce a complete, useful Java program. Note that the coursera course will teach you similar concepts as the Joy of Code course, but does not cover CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.
Java Programming: Arrays, Lists, and Structured Data - A Coursera Duke University Course
This final recommended course in the Coursera series expands on your knowledge of Java, adding important programming concepts such as arrays, lists, and data collections. This is done through a series of tutorials where you develop several, complete Java programs.
For written material, check out the Java Collections Tutorial.
If you're looking for more, Java Programming Masterclass for Software Developers is a for-cost course on Udemy. This is the best self-paced MOOC Java course available, according to John Mitchell, Java Instructor at Lambda School. It is way more material than what is needed to begin the Lambda School program.
You can find all of the resources above in the link below, along with a few good practice questions:
Join us on Slack
Check your email for a link to join our New Learner slack channel, to meet your peers before the first day of class! The email subject line is “Welcome to Okta!”
You can learn more about how to set up your account in this short video.
You can learn more about how to set up your account in this short video.
Set your schedule
Now is the time to clear your schedule so you can be online and ready to code. Pick your timezone below to view the class times that you are required to attend. You should also be prepared to spend about 10 hours a week outside of class studying and working on class projects.
8:00 - 9:00 am
Warm up
Personal time to review the day's materials before instruction begins.
9:00 - 11:00 am
Guided Project
Build a project while following the instructor's guidance.
11:00 - 12:00 pm
Lunch Break
12:00 - 5:00 pm
Project Time
Build on your own and get help along the way from instructors and peers in Slack. Strengthen your skills by participating as needed in pair programming, informal study groups, office hours, support hours, and the like.
9:00 - 10:00 am
Warm up
Personal time to review the day's materials before instruction begins
10:00 - 12:00 pm
Guided Project
Build a project while following the instructor's guidance
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Lunch Break
1:00 - 6:00 pm
Project Time
Build on your own and get help along the way from instructors and peers in Slack. Strengthen your skills by participating as needed in pair programming, informal study groups, office hours, support hours, and the like.
10:00 - 11:00 pm
Warm up
Personal time to review the day's materials before instruction begins
11:00 - 1:00 pm
Guided Project
Build a project while following the instructor's guidance
1:00 - 2:00 pm
Lunch Break
2:00 - 7:00 pm
Project Time
Build on your own and get help along the way from instructors and peers in Slack. Strengthen your skills by participating as needed in pair programming, informal study groups, office hours, support hours, and the like.
11:00 - 12:00 pm
Warm up
Personal time to review the day's materials before instruction begins
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Guided Project
Build a project while following the instructor's guidance
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Lunch Break
3:00 - 8:00 pm
Project Time
Build on your own and get help along the way from instructors and peers in Slack. Strengthen your skills by participating as needed in pair programming, informal study groups, office hours, support hours, and the like.
Set up your computer
1
Check to see if your computer meets the minimum requirements.
Minimum:
1.6 GHz Processor4 GB RAM120 GB Hard DriveWeb CamMicrophone
Recommended
2 GHz Processor8 GB RAM256 GB Hard Drive (preferably solid state)
Operating systems (in descending order): macOS, Windows 10 Pro, Ubuntu
Other versions of Windows work but students should anticipate occasional environment issues. Chromebooks are not supported, as coursework involves installing and running software locally.
Minimum:
1.6 GHz Processor4 GB RAM120 GB Hard DriveWeb CamMicrophone
Recommended
2 GHz Processor8 GB RAM256 GB Hard Drive (preferably solid state)
Operating systems (in descending order): macOS, Windows 10 Pro, Ubuntu
Other versions of Windows work but students should anticipate occasional environment issues. Chromebooks are not supported, as coursework involves installing and running software locally.
2
Install Slack for Mac or Slack for Windows
You will receive an email inviting you to join Lambda's Slack account soon!
You will receive an email inviting you to join Lambda's Slack account soon!
3
Download Zoom
After downloading, you're done! You do not need a personal account with Zoom to access Lambda courses. Your instructor will provide you with a Zoom link every day in Slack.
After downloading, you're done! You do not need a personal account with Zoom to access Lambda courses. Your instructor will provide you with a Zoom link every day in Slack.
4
Get familiar with Google Colab
Data Science students only
Data Science students only
5
6
7
8
9
10
Create your remote workspace
One of the best parts of Lambda School is the ability to attend class from anywhere - whether that’s in a coffee shop or in your bedroom. Wherever you choose to learn, having a dedicated workspace will be crucial for you to focus in class and collaborate with other students. Here are a few things we recommend:
Make sure it's a quiet space
Be sure to also discuss who will handle family responsibilities, including childcare, while you’re attending class.
Get a comfortable desk chair
This will make the long days of coding much easier on your back.
Consider a second screen
A second screen is not required, but will be helpful as you juggle Slack, Zoom, and GitHub windows.
Create a professional background
Remember that you’ll spend much of the day on Zoom calls, so ensure that the background of your workspace is neat and tidy, and that you’ve tested your tech ahead of time so you won’t be late on your first day.
Add some happy flair
Fill your remote classroom with things that will help you feel productive and happy, whether that’s your favorite pen and notepad, a plant, or art.
Here's some inspiration from other students:
Be sure to also discuss who will handle family responsibilities, including childcare, while you’re attending class.
Get a comfortable desk chair
This will make the long days of coding much easier on your back.
Consider a second screen
A second screen is not required, but will be helpful as you juggle Slack, Zoom, and GitHub windows.
Create a professional background
Remember that you’ll spend much of the day on Zoom calls, so ensure that the background of your workspace is neat and tidy, and that you’ve tested your tech ahead of time so you won’t be late on your first day.
Add some happy flair
Fill your remote classroom with things that will help you feel productive and happy, whether that’s your favorite pen and notepad, a plant, or art.
Here's some inspiration from other students:
Meet your Community Coordinator
The Lambda School Community Coordinator is here to ensure your experience at Lambda is a positive one and to help you find the resources you need to be successful. If you need help with log in troubleshooting, have any questions about Lambda Launch, or need special accommodations, reach out to your community coordinator and they’ll be happy to help.
Once you start class, there will be a learner success advisor assigned to you for each unit who will work with you 1:1 on any challenge you may encounter.
Once you start class, there will be a learner success advisor assigned to you for each unit who will work with you 1:1 on any challenge you may encounter.
Kelsey Garcia
Community Coordinator
"Be brave and ask for help when you need it. You have dedicated help channels in Slack where you can ask questions and your peers and instructors are in there to help you out. I find that many students shy away from posting their questions because they are wrestling with their pride and don't want to admit they are a bit confused or stuck on something. Please remember that you are not alone, the question you post is going to help others in your cohort too and then one day you are going to answer someone else's question and its going to feel amazing! Please be brave, ask your questions, and lean on your cohort for support. We all want to see you succeed!
Personality Tests
Take 30 minutes to learn about your strengths! A big part of your success at Lambda School will be understanding more about yourself and how you operate in different environments and teams. These two personality tests are designed to give you insight into your strengths as an individual and teammate.
