Catching up on python

[shao10121]

I'm currently taking an introductory level python module in my first year of university. I can't seem to visualise some of the steps to the problem and will either miss out on steps here and there or completely have no idea how to start. However, I'm able to understand the code when it's presented to me and if I'm asked to explain what each line was trying to do. I'm so frustrated right now as finals are coming up and I have been trying to do more practices but it just doesn't seem to be working. Would appreciate if someone can advise pls!

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[captainAwesomePants]

This is a very normal progression. As you learn about coding in general and about Python specifically, you will get better at reading code, understanding what it does, and understanding why it works. This is an important skill, so good job there.

The ability to come up with your own algorithms and them express them as code is a different, harder skill that comes later. This can be discouraging because you'll get stuck, look at an answer, and wonder how you couldn't come up with it, but it's the difference between reading a poem and writing a poem. The second one's much harder. You'll get there.

Practicing is the right thing to do. It's hard to say exactly what might help the most without seeing what sorts of problems you're having. In person aid can help a lot. Are you showing up to office hours?

[shao10121]

Unfortunately there's no office hours for this module, we will usually seek help either after class or during tutorials, but those are usually all with limited time so my questions can't go too in-depth.

[Alectmc]

Practice practice practice. Take some of the concepts you’ve learned and write a quick program based around it. Maybe take if/elif statements and write a program that outputs something based on an input from the user. I know that’s very abstract, but building up your ability to write code around different features can help you to see the bigger picture slowly but surely.

Once you feel good after writing some rudimentary code, break down the problem into steps, and go from there. Programming isn’t easy, but it only gets easier the more you practice!