Best way to go about learning Java?

I'm sure this has been asked a bunch of times, but i'll just go ahead and ask again, Sorry if this is considered spamming. :L
Anyhow, I recently started learning the Java language, I've learned the VERY basics, I know how to import stuff, make classes, make a simple calculator etc. I've taken a look at the guide made by the actual Java people, but that was way too complicated. So I started to follow "Thenewboston" He has a set of around 110-120 video tutorials ranging from Java basics to Java "Advanced game programming" So i'm not sure if this is the most efficient way to learn Java. His website is http://thenewboston.org/index.php
At the moment, I may do more later, but at the moment i'm learning so I can code a plugin. I'm basically importing an external jar and using that reference library to make it. I'm not sure if that makes sense but I hope you understand. Anyways, I'm not sure thenewboston is the way to go, i'm not trying to CREATE a game, more make a modification to a game. Time isn't really an issue, I have a decent computer, I don't think that will affect much. So please, after reading the information above, is Thenewboston the way to go, or should I do something else(Please suggest below)?

 

Thenewboston is good for getting a grasp of the basics, but nothing more than the basics. If you want to be any more than a novice programmer, then you will have to start coding yourself. Best way to learn programming, is to simply code.

 

Do you recommend learning the basics first, or just "coding"? Also, do I really need to be anything more then a novice for my purposes? Don't forget I don't really want to be good right now, maybe later.

 

When it comes to programming you NEED to code. The more you practice the more success you will have. If you just watch the videos without actually applying it, you will struggle. You may understand the concepts but when it actually comes time to write a program you will find yourself struggling on the simplest syntax errors.

Of course you need to know the basics to get anywhere. If you don't truly understand the syntax and concepts and just do it based on video tutorials, you will have trouble.

 

My bad, I should have mention what I actually do with the videos. I usually watch like a certain segment (E.G the guy explaining two lines of code). Then I try it out for myself, until the video is finished. Later on if I have trouble with that specific concept, I come back to the video and repeat stage 1. Most of the errors I make are syntax. Is that normal when you're first starting? Like I constantly keep forgetting the syntax for if statements.
I hope i'm not rushing through the tutorials too fast.

Also not to sound greedy or whatever, but do you know the average amount of time it could take to learn the BASIC concepts?

Thanks.

 

choose a bot to start scripting for, learn the API and just keep trying new things. the best way to learn programming is by writing code, writing code and writing more code imo