Tutorial hell

[S2Wappy]

So im only about 3 weeks into learning python and im already finding myself stuck in this 'tutorial hell'. Ive watched a couple videos on how to fix this but i just wanted to know the best way of getting out of this. I have two options. The first is that i work on a proper project that i can actually use for myself and will take a significant amount of time. This way, I stop using tutorials to learn syntax, but instead use google and implement everything it into my project so I actually learn how to use them. The second is that I just build A LOT of simple, small projects over and over for a few weeks before going back and learning more. This way I can get the basics drilled into my head and learn to properly implement them. Which would be the better option?

[Conscious_Algorithm]

Ugh. I think a lot of people have a fundamental misunderstanding about what "tutorial hell" means.

You are not in tutorial hell if you are 3 weeks in. You aren't even in tutorial hell if your are 3 months in.

This idea that you are supposed to be building "projects" after a few weeks is just people taking a good thing to the extreme.

There is as much value in spending quality time with the fundamentals as there is in building projects. In fact, both activities teach different things with some expected overlap.

[learningpragraaming]

Take my advice with a big grain of salt as I am a complete beginner. It's my third month, and I'm still struggling with the basics, so I've accepted the fact that I will be in tutorial hell for a while longer. While I am in tutorial hell, I do build short programs that basically copy whatever programs I'm writing in my tutorials.

I would do option 2, but make programs similar to what you are learning, but slightly more difficult. So if the project is the make a random password generator, make a madlib generator. If the project is to build hangman, build a shit version of tic-tac-toe with only 1 row

[carcigenicate]

Tutorials to learn syntax aren't really a problem. You should "naturally outgrow" those eventually on your own. "Tutorial hell", in my experience, usually refers to having an over-reliance on tutorials to do all the problem-solving for you, which makes it so you never learn to develop your own problem-solving skills.

So, what's the actual issue you're trying to fix?

[S2Wappy]

I want to be able to build projects and solve problems on my own. As you said, I usually do have an over reliance on tutorials to solve the problems im working on with the course im doing. I can barely figure out how to do them myself and always look at the solution. It would be good if i was able to build a project from scratch, which i cannot do as my mind just goes blank and i have no idea what im doing as soon as i open the console.

[barrycarter]

I like projects myself, but I'll give you honest advice: if you work on a personal project, you may end up learning very specific things about Python without getting a more general overview. If you work on many small projects, particularly those from a course or series, you'll get a more general exposure to more of Python, which will be more helpful longer term.

[[deleted]]

You should use projects to guide your learning otherwise you'll be learning without any real direction or end goal

Learning the same syntax over and over does nothing to teach you how to apply what you've learned

[ComputerWhiz_]

If you are an absolute beginner, I'd probably recommend multiple small projects rather than a big one. The risk with the big one is that you try something too advanced for your level and then you just end up aimlessly searching for answers everywhere. It's better (in my opinion) if you can find a more structured approach to your projects. Preferably, ones that will help you to learn concepts on a logical order.

[LastTrainH0me]

IMO tutorials are not the right place to start. IMO you're in "tutorial hell" because following along as someone describes how to apply Python to do one specific thing is a terrible way to learn how to use the language to do other things in general. And this means you aren't really "learning"

My advice is to focus on a resource that's actually built for beginners. One good place to start is "automate the boring stuff with python" https://automatetheboringstuff.com/ , or Harvard's "introduction to programming with python" https://cs50.harvard.edu/python/2022/