I generally agree with the above. You can't just "learn java" or "learn
c++". There is so much more to programming than that. It is entirely
possible to graduate with a degree in IT/comp science/software
engineering and still not be good a programming. I've witnessed this. I
could have fallen into the trap myself but I was lucky in that I like to
think about solutions and I was prompted just once or twice during my
final year, this was enough to give me the insight I needed to continue
learning on my own.

But I have and still am working on code written by a final year IT
student and it is absolutely awful. Sure, it does the job, but to extend
it and even worse, to understand it, is incredibly difficult. It's
important you learn about design. If using java, do a course on Object
Oriented design. For a look at some good books check out:

http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~csse2003/_textreferences.html

Braude, 2006 and Gamma et al are the two best starters.

Lionel.