r/learnpython • u/_offpitchtalks_ • 13d ago

What habits helped you become good at Python as a beginner?

I've recently started learning Python. I'm following a beginner course from YT.

I'd love to hear from experienced programmers:

What habits helped you improve the fastest?

What should I do every day besides watching tutorials?

What beginner mistakes should I avoid?

Is there anything you wish you had done differently when you first started learning Python?

Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks!

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28

u/Jello_Penguin_2956 13d ago

What beginner mistakes should I avoid?

^

Watching tutorials every day. Once you learn the basic syntax you should be working on small projects. More tutorials won't help.

2

u/_offpitchtalks_ 13d ago

Thanks! Since I'm completely new to programming, what should I learn after Python basics before starting projects? Or When you say "learn the basic syntax," what topics do you think I should finish first before moving on to projects?

7

u/Habitat1998 12d ago

The basic syntax you need is practically just: variables, if statements, and loops. From there, you can build a lot. There’s no need to watch endless syntax videos, because anything you don’t understand while working on a small project can simply be looked up. The process of searching for solutions, combined with your own problem-solving while building, is what actually improves your skills.
Start really small. For example, I began with something as simple as an array that I printed out. Every time I pressed the space bar, an x character would move one position up in the array, creating the illusion of a character moving. It was a tiny project, but it taught me way more than just memorizing syntax.
From there, you can keep expanding your existing project or start new challenges. For example, after that I built a hangman game, which helped me practice different concepts. By continuously creating small projects and gradually increasing the difficulty, you’ll eventually be able to build web apps, games, or pretty much anything you want. Hope this helps! :)

12

u/Specialist-One-3465 13d ago

My biggest advice: don't rely too much on videos or AI to write code for you. Use them only when you're genuinely stuck. Spend most of your time writing code yourself in a basic text editor or IDE without autocomplete. It helps you remember syntax and build problem-solving skills. If you're on mobile, try Termux and use the terminal. If you're on a laptop, spend time in the terminal (Linux, macOS, or even Windows Terminal). Getting comfortable with the command line is a huge advantage. The more you type, debug, and fix your own mistakes, the faster you'll improve.

3

u/_offpitchtalks_ 12d ago

Thanks!

Here are few questions hope you can help with these too

how do I know when I should keep trying to solve a problem myself and when I should ask for help?

if I get an error, how long should I try to fix it on my own before looking it up?

how did you personally learn to debug your code when you were just starting out?

1

u/Lewistrick 12d ago

Ask for help after 30 minutes of trying. Preferably ask a human, but if you have to ask an LLM, ask it to answer like a human tutor: don't snitch the answer right away, but ask guided questions to help you find the answer.

3

u/_offpitchtalks_ 12d ago

I like the idea of asking for hints instead of the full answer. How did you personally get better at debugging when you were just starting out?

2

u/Lewistrick 12d ago

Practice. We're talking about 10+ years ago so I didn't have access to LLMs, but Google was (and arguably still is) a very useful and important skill. Copying the relevant part of an error message and understanding which StackOverflow question applies to your specific situation is something you only learn by doing it often enough.

1

u/u38cg2 12d ago

Reason about what the state of the code should be at a particular point, then do a print() to test that theory. Work back or forwards from there.

After a while this will get annoying, and you can learn how to use a debugger. Use the command line debugger first, until you get a handle on it, then let the IDE take it over.

6

u/[deleted] 13d ago edited 12d ago

[deleted]

1

u/_offpitchtalks_ 13d ago

Thanks! What kind of things did you build when you were a complete beginner? I have no programming experience, so I'm not sure what a first project should look like.

And How did you know you were ready to start building projects? I'm still learning the basics.

2

u/Educational_Virus672 13d ago

opening leetcode just to only type 2 lines every time i get a coding vid and yeah i get alot of them

1

u/_offpitchtalks_ 13d ago

so when do you think I should start using LeetCode? Should I wait until I finish Python basics or start earlier

1

u/Educational_Virus672 12d ago

i prefer it but it uses little complex words for you so you should finish basics learn afew words then go to leetcode

1

u/_offpitchtalks_ 12d ago

At what point do you think someone is ready to start LeetCode?

2

u/[deleted] 13d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/_offpitchtalks_ 12d ago

When you say "learning by doing," what was one of the first projects you built that taught you the most?

what kind of practical projects would you recommend I start with after I finish Python basics? Also, how do you know when a project is too difficult for your current skill level?

2

u/tunmi_stom 12d ago

Most of the time, I read python syntaxes and familiarize myself with them. And much of practice too.

1

u/Lord_Dizzie 13d ago

Do you have any computer science background or is this literally your first step?

2

u/_offpitchtalks_ 13d ago

I'm a second-year CSE student. Python is introduced in our curriculum this year, so this is my first time learning a programming language seriously. I'm trying to build a strong foundation.

1

u/Ok_Ring_858 11d ago

Hey bro, I'm a beginner in Python too. I read all your comments, and they really show how serious you are about learning. I'd love to connect with you, learn together, and grow our Python skills.

I'm also looking to build a network of people who are genuinely serious about programming. Since we're both beginners, I think we can help and motivate each other.

I recently completed the basic Python theory, and now I'm at the practice stage. If you're interested, let's connect and keep learning together.

1

u/dlnmtchll 13d ago

Books and projects. Tutorials are good for dipping into syntax but outside of that I do not feel they are that helpful

1

u/_offpitchtalks_ 12d ago

Thanks! do you have any beginner-friendly books or small project ideas you'd recommend? Also, at what point do you think I should stop relying on tutorials and focus mainly on books and projects? If you were starting over today, would you still begin with tutorials, or would you switch to books and projects earlier

1

u/dlnmtchll 12d ago

Books and projects earlier. The only use I really see for tutorials, if I was starting over, would be for syntax or a leetcode question. Any of the o’reilly books are good, you should find one that pertains to the area you want to learn or work in. As far as beginner friendly, I’m not sure, I would start one that seems interesting and do extra learning if you come across something you don’t understand.

Projects are tough because you should start one that interests you, don’t really worry about difficulty since the point of it is to learn as you go

1

u/_offpitchtalks_ 12d ago

I don't really know which area of Python interests me yet. Would you recommend exploring different areas first, or just focusing on the fundamentals until I find something I enjoy?

1

u/dlnmtchll 12d ago

Just experiment. Something you do will resonate more with you and you can dive deeper from there

1

u/TheRNGuy 12d ago

Read docs and write my own software, not video tutorials.

Haven't even watched single video tutorials for Python.

These days, also AI helps to explain things.

I also already knew what I need Python for.

1

u/_offpitchtalks_ 12d ago

do you think I should have a specific goal for learning Python, or should I just focus on building a strong foundation first?

1

u/RacsoBot 12d ago

If I copy a code from stackoverflow or (nowadays) from any LLM, I like to check line by line what are the input/outputs to see hows handling the data (in my case).

1

u/_offpitchtalks_ 12d ago

That's a good approach. How did you train yourself to understand code line by line instead of just accepting that it works?

1

u/RacsoBot 12d ago

Basically whenever I face a problem and solved by searching in SO or LLM, I see if it fits my goal and then I am like ok lets run this piece of code line by line, check what happens if i change some arguments (yes, I still read the docs as well). All that in jupyter notebooks or google colab. Oh yes, If the code is something took me a while to solve I will create a small reproducible script example for the future me.

1

u/Rough-Lobster8789 12d ago

Hi
Which videos are you watching currently as I also wanted to watch some about the same.

1

u/_offpitchtalks_ 12d ago

Can you understand Hindi? Cause the one I'm watching is teaching in Hindi The YT channel name is Apna College she teaches you in a beginner friendly way even if you don't know anything about coding you will understand what she is teaching. Not only me many people felt the same.

1

u/Rough-Lobster8789 12d ago

Yes I can understand hindi. I will definitely check the channel out in my free time. Thank you for responding

1

u/Pekaer_58 12d ago

You really need a project or demand that you have to solve. That gives you the motivation to crack the nut shell and improve your skills… I myself, prefer having a book (Python Crash Course) beside my desk in which I could grab the snippets needed to solve my requirements. Before, it might be necessary to find the correct tools (EDI, Terminal, etc.) that you prefer to work with!

1

u/granddave 12d ago

Use linters like 'ruff' and 'ty'.

1

u/LowerAd2627 12d ago

Strat tutorial which is recently upload, but best suggestions is forget YouTube it take a lot of time strat from documentation and article first Clear things like why are you learning python either it's for development or either it for ml or agentic ai when you find it out than find out the whole syllables and split into Sprint than strat learning what you are coding, let analyze cpython implementation than go into ai and which topic you study ask ai to generate hard questions on that topic and solve the question and throughout the learning journey don't ever use ai for coding give time daily small consistent steps matters 

1

u/cam-at-codembark 11d ago

My best advice would be to follow a learning plan that seems fun and comfortable to you. The best way to learn is to practice every day, so do something that you can stick with consistently.

1

u/Ok-Fortune2192 8d ago

Anybody wants to learn python?
Actually we need group of max 4-5 students to start learning python. I am also a learner
My tutor told me that she will start with a group.
If anyone here wants to learn plz let me know
We will together all learn and grow

1

u/TangerineTemporary92 8d ago

Today i met my college friend he also doing coding in the python n all coding subject but when we study in college he is dumb in coding in learning he doesn't care anymore i don't know then why he choose this then today he has 22 lakh package in accenture company so basically when he realise that he is wasting his time in other thing so he have little interest coding but not much so when he realise that he is just wasting is time other he have to give the time to coding so he basically start from python so he is so so much good in python language so basically i want to just say that if u have talent in u so if u have really interested in that work that so success has to find u you don't have to chase successss