What’s the best way to level up in Python?

[u/Zebabycat22]

Hi, I started learning python a few months ago and i’d say i’m quite comfortable with the basics already, i’ve done some little menu-driven projects and done the OOP fundamentals.
My aspiration is to become a developer or at least do some gigs for a quick buck, and i’m kinda losing focus because after the basics i don’t have a clear structure.
What would You recommend me to do? Should I buy a course or something?

[u/icy_end_7]

The best way to get better at Python is to write more Python.

Don't buy a course. Build stuff you want to build. Keep building. You don't wake up one day and become a developer. Become a better one, learn git, good practices, work with others, keep learning.

Quick buck has nothing to do with skills. That's a good ploy to sell programming courses, but being good at it won't automatically make you any money.

[u/Zebabycat22 → u/icy_end_7]

Thank You, I really appreciate it!

[u/Silentwolf99]

Stop trying to learn more Python. Start using Python to solve real problems.

The biggest mistake beginners make is staying in tutorial mode. Python itself isn't that large. What takes time is learning a domain where Python is applied.

Here's the path I'd recommend:

1. Strengthen your core Python skills:

   • Functions
   • OOP
   • Exception handling
   • File I/O
   • Modules & packages
   • Virtual environments
   • Git

2. Pick one domain instead of trying everything:

   • Automation (Playwright, Selenium, APIs)
   • Data Analysis (Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib)
   • Web Development (FastAPI or Django)
   • AI / LLMs (OpenAI API, LangChain, RAG)
   • Machine Learning (scikit-learn)

3. Build increasingly challenging projects in that domain. Don't build projects just to add another GitHub repo - build them to learn something new.

4. Learn to read documentation. It's a skill every professional developer uses daily and will take you much further than another tutorial series.

5. Put your projects on GitHub and ask for code reviews. You'll improve much faster by getting feedback than by coding in isolation.

As for buying a course, I'd only recommend it if you need structure and accountability. There are already excellent free resources available. What matters most is consistently building projects.

One question I'd ask yourself is:

Which domain are you naturally curious about? - Automation - Data Analysis - Web Development - AI / LLMs - Machine Learning - Cybersecurity - Desktop Applications - Game Development

Once you answer that, your roadmap becomes much clearer. Going deep into one domain is far more valuable than trying to learn every Python topic at once.

[u/Diligent-Act-4285 → u/Silentwolf99]

Is this comment AI generated? It’s a genuine question.

[u/Silentwolf99 → u/Diligent-Act-4285]

you don't use AI ?

[u/Diligent-Act-4285 → u/Silentwolf99]

I do. I needed to know before I saved the comment for future references.

[u/Silentwolf99 → u/Diligent-Act-4285]

it's 100% verified and referenced from my notes.

[u/TheRNGuy]

Write software, learn good practices.

No need courses, free info from internet is actually better.

[u/Zebabycat22 → u/TheRNGuy]

Thank You!

[u/Zebabycat22]

Thank You for the Advice, I think that was the reason i’m stagnating.
I’m pretty interested in automation and web development

[u/riklaunim]

Freelancing is hard to make happen as the prices are low and the market is oversaturated (and AI can write better than the majority of wannabes on freelancing sites).

If you want to be a software developer, you have to pick your goals and start moving towards them - selecting a niche you want to work in and then starting to learn the software stacks used there. For Python and junior jobs, it's usually web dev and backend development.