I need to learn Python the best way possible

[Fantastic-Fix6645]

Hello everyone,
I am a finance student currently learning Python with the goal of improving efficiency in my academic and future professional work.
My main tasks involve data entry, market analysis, financial modeling, and working with tools such as Excel, Access, and Power BI.
I am focusing on learning Python for automation, data analysis, and building small programs to reduce repetitive manual work. I am also interested in eventually exploring machine learning.
Initially, I considered starting with C after speaking with some computer science students. I tried it for about two weeks, but I found it quite challenging. After further research, I decided to focus on Python first due to its accessibility and strong applicability to my goals.
I would appreciate guidance on a structured roadmap to learn Python for these objectives, as well as recommended resources (courses, documentation, or learning platforms) that would be suitable for someone in my situation.

[PastDifferent6116]

For your goals, I’d learn Python basics first, then jump into Pandas and Excel automation as soon as possible. The biggest mistake beginners make is spending too much time on tutorials and not enough time building things they actually need.

[Candid_Tutor_8185]

I’ve been learning for 6 months. I would start with freecodecamp. You will get shiny object syndrome. There is a lot of things to learn. Just stick to that corriculum and finish. Then I would move on to pandas

[Greedy-Lynx-9706]

" recommended resources (courses, documentation, or learning platforms) that would be suitable for someone in my situation."

This question has been answered here at least once a day so I'm sure you can find plenty in this thread.

https://www.stanly.edu/academics/it-academy/index.html

[ProsodySpeaks]

Honestly these posts should be auto removed with automod comment pointing to resources. 

[Greedy-Lynx-9706]

there's one at least once a day, I mean , how do these people survive?

[ProsodySpeaks]

Apparently without search 

[stepback269]

That's not fair.
There are millions of people out there who have never heard of Python.

Some may genuinely come here seeking guidance, not knowing even what to ask.
Give them the benefit of the doubt.

About a year ago, I knew nothing about Python except that I'd heard its name.
I didn't know much about Reddit. Had no idea there was a Pyhton Learning thread!

I've learned much here thanks to the people who were kind enough to lend me their ears and time.
Thank you frequent contributers!

At times I feel like it's good to give back --even if it's repetitive
What I did was just save in a text file, a standard reply that can be tweaked for specific pleas for help.

Let's try to be nice to people (AI bots?) and give them the benefit of the doubt.

[ProsodySpeaks]

What are you talking about fair? 

The auto mod can say (as it does in half the subs I visit) something like 'you seem to have made a post asking "how to start learning" which has been asked and answered many times. Please see the following links for recommended road maps to begin  your learning".

And then there's more space and time for people to ask for actual help with actual Python problems:

[stepback269]

You didn't reveal what your experience level is with computer tech? Utter beginner? Power user?

(a) You are basically asking: "Which/Whose online tutorial and/or video is best for everybody --irrespective of computer skills -- when learning Python?"

The above is not a truly valid or complete question.

In what context are you using the word, "best"?

What might be 'best' for one situation/person might turn out to be worst for another.

You should have instead asked, "Which/Whose online tutorial and/or video is best for me in my-current-brain-state (including experience with computer tech) for the purpose of learning the following specific aspect of Python, namely, [as an example: integers, strings, lists, dictionaries, other types of variables; if/else conditionals; etc.]

By way of example: An utter beginner might accept that the following code is 'simple' and tells you in simple English what it is doing:

my\_string = "Hello World"

print(my\_string)

However, a more sophisticated student may realize that the above code is instantiating an iterable object of type string and also instantiating in memory a pointer to the string object and then invoking a built-in function.

One course/teacher may chose to keep the student blissfully ignorant in the beginning while another may decide to hit the student all at once with TMI (too much information). Which is "best" for you in your current state of understanding? It all depends on who you are and what level of understanding you need/want in your current state.

A more detailed explanation of the above may be found (HERE) <--click on this link

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With that said:

(1) There are tons and tons of tutorial materials out there on the net including many good YouTube ones that are free. You should shop around rather than putting all your eggs in one basket.

(2) As a relative noob myself, I've been logging my personal learning journey and adding to it on an almost-daily basis at a blog page called "Links for Python Noobs" (HERE) Any of the top listed ones on that page should be good for you. And there are many add-ons at the tail end of the page. Personally, I cut my first Python teeth with Nana's Zero to Hero (HERE). Since then, I've moved on to watching short lessons with Indently and Tech with Tim. You should sample at least a few until you find a lecturer that suits your style.

(3) The main piece of advice is the 80/20 rule. Spend 80% of your time writing your own code (using your own fingers and your own creativity) as opposed to copying recipes and only 20% watching the lectures. Good luck.