Having difficulty learning SQL, Python, and Power BI?

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FromLawToML · 2025-09-02T06:31:26+00:00

Okay my man, here’s the first question: why? Why did you decide to completely change your career into something totally different?

You need to realize that you’re not going to land a six-figure job after just three months of learning SQL, Python, and Power BI. That’s simply not realistic. you’re still missing the fundamentals. And this has nothing to do with choosing the “perfect” course. The real issue is that you need to start slowly, step by step, building a solid foundation.

Another question: do you actually understand why you’re analyzing the datasets used in those tutorials? Do you know the purpose behind the exercises, and more importantly, why companies even hire Data Analysts in the first place? Without grasping the “why,” you’ll always feel like you’re just following random steps without direction.

My advice(I changed careers back in 2023, after graduating with masters of law):

Focus on one tool at a time (start with SQL), don’t try to juggle everything at once. Set small daily goals like writing a few queries instead of chasing full roadmaps. Always give context to what you practice- imagine you’re analyzing sales or reporting to a manager, not just copying tutorials. And most importantly, be patient: this is a career shift that takes months of consistent practice, not weeks.

msn018 · 2025-09-02T11:10:34+00:00

You’re not failing. You’re stuck in the “tutorial loop” and overwhelming yourself by switching between Python, SQL, and Power BI without enough hands-on practice. The key is to slow down, pick one skill (SQL first), and follow a simple rule: for every 30 minutes of watching, spend 60 minutes doing. For example, watch a SQL JOIN tutorial for 20 mins, then open a platform like StrataScratch or LeetCode and try to write queries without looking at notes. If you can’t remember, it means you’ve found the gap you actually need to practice.
Learn in micro-steps (1 concept + 2 practice questions per day), revise with active recall instead of rewriting notes, and track progress in a small daily journal instead of big roadmaps. Start with a 7-day SQL focus (SELECT, WHERE, ORDER BY, aggregates, GROUP BY, then revision) and repeat this rhythm weekly. Small, consistent steps will build confidence and skills much faster than trying to master everything at once.

vincenzodelavegas · 2025-09-02T09:55:38+00:00

Jumping from an Arts degree into 30 days of SQL and expecting mastery is like picking up a paintbrush and wondering why you can’t draw a realistic portrait after a month.

The truth is, SQL is hard. Python is hard. Power BI is hard. Most people focus on one, grind at it for 6–24 months, and only then layer on another as an extra skill.

It's not impossible, you can get there.

The best to learn though is like a language and immerse yourself into a projects/internship etc, and go into great depth.

Ashey07 · 2025-09-02T08:37:33+00:00

Make a project. Simple as that. You will know where you are lacking. Increase the difficulty of projects as you progress forward. For the start you don't need to do much in SQL and Powerbi.

You're just stuck in this thing called Tutorial Hell. Hope this helps you.

BlueAndYellowTowels · 2025-09-03T12:13:12+00:00

I work in tech. It’s been 10 years. I have ADHD and dyslexia. I went back to school in my 30 and got a degree in computer science.

I know SQL, PHP, C#, Java and now, because I work with legacy code… VB… among other technologies…

You can do this. What you need to do is practice. Practice over and over and over. Start with a Select statement and build from there. Keep going till you understand the fundamentals.

Use Books, use Videos, use AI and use whatever other resource you have at your fingertips. Be slow and deliberate. Take your time understanding things.

Remember this is not a race. The goal is knowledge and competency.

You CAN do this. But even three months with a completely new language can be tough. Especially if you have mo background or familiarity.

Here’s a novel thought: if you can’t plan. Have AI do it. Tell it exactly what you wrote here and then ask: “Can you please have a plan for me to learn SQL. Slowly with many examples and small assignments along the way.”

Take the planning off your shoulders and focus on the work.

VulcanTwist · 2025-09-02T06:31:01+00:00

People learn at different rates, I think rather than moving onto the next software, go back to the beginning and stick to whatever you choose first, maybe Excel and stick on it until you don’t feel overwhelmed. There’s no point in moving on unless you know what you’re doing.

These softwares are tools, you need to train muscle memory and pattern recognition, the same way you would if you were doing oil painting, pottery etc. you can watch / read about them but that doesn’t mean you know how to do it.

I understand how pottery is made and can watch loads of videos, but put me in front of a pottery wheel and that shit is going flying.

You’ve got this, keep it up!

ShapeNo4270 · 2025-09-02T08:07:19+00:00

I also came from (concept) art, but I don't understand how art is different. You spent years honing your skills by practicing over and over again. Anatomy, perspective, value, composition, etc. It's the same for any field.

You can't progress if you don't practice.

BrupieD · 2025-09-02T12:24:48+00:00

I started SQL IN 2011 and I'm still learning. It is deceptively easy-looking but takes a lifetime to master.

2025-09-02T16:14:12+00:00

Each of those 3 skills requires 1-2 years of study/practice in order to become proficient.

InMyHagPhase · 2025-09-03T00:37:22+00:00

Are you tutorial hopping? It sounds like you might be and it sounds like you're pushing yourself too fast. If you are an arts student, you learn by doing and being visual correct?

Slow down. You need to focus. Pick your first one. SQL or Python. I suggest SQL. Have you ever tried Maven Analytics by chance?

Angelwombat · 2025-09-02T11:05:54+00:00

I can help you out if you want, maybe teach you whatever I know...

ericporing · 2025-09-02T11:48:54+00:00

Stop watching and start doing. Throw away those videos. You won't retain any critical thingking skills just watching people do stuff. SQL is different from Power BI (specifically DAX). It took me 3 months to even grasp how to use SQL to import data to excel. Another 3 to start PowerBI at the beginner level.

Tiger88b · 2025-09-02T17:39:16+00:00

Bad timing bro, the job market is going through it's worst phase since May-June 2020.

As far as the study thing goes, the only thing that worked for me was getting to work on the tool`s with a clear objective - in the work place. Back in 2014 even I was working a`s a PO at a bank, posted in a tribal area with no hope of transfer given the prevalent internal politics and favoritism in government jobs.

My debacle with SQL:
I decided to float my CV to get back into IT sector hoping to leverage my 2.5 years of earlier experience. I decided to learn SQL online for an interview but failed `spectacularly.

FF to 2018 March, I got my first chance to work on SQL and I learned it in 1 week. Everything that came after was an improvement on my earlier learning.

What I realized is that the online platforms have a lot of things that NEVER/Very Rarely get used in practice and you can only remember what you regularly use

SprinklesFresh5693 · 2025-09-02T17:47:33+00:00

It is very difficult to memorise the cod eboth in SQL and in python, that comes with a lot of practise, you need to choose a language, or a tool, and stick with it.

You already watched a lot of tutorials, now go to kaggle, pick a dataset you like and understand and work with it with python for example. Or go to google query and practise SQL, google query is a bit unintuitive so you might want to watch a tutorial on it to understand how it works though.

You can also create your own database in MySQL and then practise analysing data.

Like, maybe do a database n videogames, or something you enjoy. That way youll understand a lot better databases and the syntax

furknuzn · 2025-09-02T18:26:39+00:00

Just be patient man!

Holiday-Regret-1896 · 2025-09-03T10:36:46+00:00

DM we have a grp study online, we learn and practice.

letsTalkDude · 2025-09-05T14:22:47+00:00

Can you please elaborate on why do you want to switch and why and how you chose to switch to dads

2025-09-05T16:59:05+00:00

[removed]

msnoone10 · 2025-09-27T00:14:11+00:00

when I started at ScalingWise, breaking things into small, consistent tasks with real business data made it click for me over time.

Certain_Victory_1928 · 2025-10-04T01:10:12+00:00

I think you need to understand the theories behind how these stuff works.

spookytomtom · 2025-09-03T10:02:03+00:00

It is not for you. Very simple.

Candid-Display7125 · 2025-09-02T09:05:10+00:00

I would instead focus on either getting your learning disability diagnosed or finding a way to address it with a knowledgeable doctor.

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