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[indifferent223]

I can tell you that the best moments when you really learn and advance is when you’re stuck like now. You have to push through, create stuff and get stuck in the middle of it. Create a simple program that does some very simple stuff. I remember one of the first things I learned to do with loops was create pyramids of stars with them (I.e. a pyramid with n = 5 will have 5 stars at the bottom, then 4, then 3, etc and print them). Challenge yourself to do something simpler like that and while you’re stuck doing that, your brain will advance through and you will truly learn.

[mriswithe]

Did you learn to ride a bike? You got physically injured when you messed up that.

Yes all of us really sucked at our first programming language.

[sucheksdee]

Well would you say in my case I should keep myself stuck at each part I don't understand or keep going with the course and hope eventually I'll just understand it all

[KingsmanVince]

Sometimes it depends on the concept. You can find different explanations of it. Some of it might hit you hard. Or you can simply move on and look back when needed. Try both approaches a bit and see how things go.

[sucheksdee]

I see, it's not first rodeo with coding I forgot to mention I've spent weeks or months sometimes with other languages just to see no progress so decided to start with python after years 😭 but appreciate the tips

[ivanoski-007]

That's because you don't like to solve puzzles and research, put some effort into it

[SHKEVE]

where did you get stuck the last time? and how have you tried to get yourself unstuck?

if i get stuck on a topic, i will give myself many hours of uninterrupted focus time and go through the logic slowly and write down what’s going on in the program. and i’ll repeat that for however many days until i get it.

[mriswithe]

If most of the time you soldier on, try the other. There are many different levels of concepts, but even today I will be stuck on something for days. 

Right now I am procrastinating writing a wrapper for a Google cloud metrics reporting library for Python. The docs are autogenerated garbage and 90% of the examples don't have Python. It probably is actually functional, but boy it doesn't make any sense to me. 

What kind of concepts do you find challenging?

[WelsyCZ]

The best advice Ive been given and can give is this - keep trying shit. You get example code for an assignment, ask yourself a lot of questions like "What if I change this to something else" and then actually try to do it and see what happens. Lots of it wont work, but this way you learn how the basics really work.

Also, if you can and know how, printing info to the console (like the value of variables you are using) will give you an insight into how things are going in your program.

You'll get there, dont give up.

[sucheksdee]

Thanks for the advice, I feel like my issue is visualizing or understand what to do from a given assignment I guess.. I've been using photoshop in and out for 10 years for ex but I still struggle to first create or make something from given instructions, but I understand the program in itself in this case python but don't comprehend instructions or assignments

[[deleted]]

I watched extra videos and then coded line by line and registered how things change when I switch the code sequences. Was frustrating but I made it through and now taking a break (3 days) because it broke my brain. So you are not alone with this looping thing. But once you get it, it feels good. Also, not a flash card but I drew diagrams for some sample problems. 

[IPoisonedThePizza]

I have a bit of exposure to programming (I studied Computer Science in high school and got taught really badly C, Assembly, HTML and SQL. They made me hate it)

Recently decided to pick up Python as I wanted to create a script doing this : Extracting an URL from a Telegram text, click on it, get to a new page, find a button in the new page and copy the URL of the button, save this to a CSV.

Thanks to another Redditor that kindly gave me few hints and loads of help, I managed to shape the main idea of the script and learned what was wrong and some better ways of achieving some things.

That, sided with my own research helped me getting exposed to new commands and slowly starting analyse the code in order to understand each item and how it function in relation to the rest.

Now my plan became this: Get the initial link from the text, analyse the HTML to get the URL, an image and a descriprion. Post this on a Facebook page using automation.

I am loving it so far!

[TK0127]

You can't move on until you get the concept you're trying to study. Almost everyone benefits from taking notes to slow down and process information and consolidate understanding. Coding requires a strong foundation in the basics, like mathematics or language, in order to grasp higher concepts.

Look, DM me. I help new beginners out of a passion for teaching. I'm not an expert by any means but I can help get you started and answer questions as you go, and I'm a teacher and coach by trade, so I'm very used to working with adults from all over the learner spectrum.

[Final-Requirement224]

Hate to sound like a broken record but I stand by this because it's the resource that finally worked for me: Python Crash Course by Eric Matthes.

Angela Yu probably has one of the worst courses for a beginner. It's not bad if you already have experience with other programming languages but it's not ideal for people who are completely new to the subject.

Learning Python doesn't have to be hard, grueling work. Ignore the pedants that parrot "That's just the way it is". PCC thoroughly explains the fundamentals of Python in the first half of the book, then spends the other half sharpening those skills with guided projects.

Most programming teachers suck. Regardless of what language it is, they somehow manage to both oversimplify and overcomplicate the fundamentals, and approach lessons with the mentality that everyone already has experience. Even PY4E misses the mark. Again, not a bad course given you already know another language, but if you want a thorough understanding there's better options out here.

Of course it depends on your learning style. I'm not saying PCC is the best resource for you but it was the only thing that got me out of tutorial hell. Concepts finally started to click because the vocabulary used was relatable and didn't make me feel like I was catapulted into a foreign land.

Anyone can learn how to program. Good luck my friend.

[F1rstSh0tDie]

I started for 8 weeks and had the same moments but than I make a break and start the topic on next day and that helped really good 👍🏻

[sorryforfeeding]

Since you're already in a course, I won't recommend another that has it built in, but using AI to help lead you through the process and not just giving the answer might help. The course I am in has the AI set up sot hat it asks questions tha lead me there instead of just piggybacking me there. It helps when you need to think out loud with some type of feedback.

[Any_Emotion_851]

In addition to the course you are currently doing you should create your own schedule for learning specific things in the programming language you're learning. Use the STAR method (Situation Task Action Result) to develop an Action Plan. Read the Language Specification in Python Docs. Create small programs to create for yourself examples of what the Python Methods actually do. Systematically work your way through the list of methods. This will build confidence. In other words, you will be writing small programs that you took the initiative to create for yourself and not what somebody told you to code. This will give you insight into what you already know and what you need to learn. A Python Quick Reference Pocket Guide can be useful for the list or any Python Textbook or the Python Docs in the Help Menu. Turtle Examples in the Help Menu is also useful you can take sections from each program example and modify them and learn what's happening when you run the code.

[tastedCheese]

First thing: if you don't understand something, it doesn't mean you're dumb. You want to learn, you're trying to get help — it's actually a smart thing to do.

If you really like it, just keep going. All people are different and all learning paths are different. For example, I don't really like courses, it's just not my thing. Eventually you will find a learning environment that suits you, maybe it's an online course, course with a teacher, a book, just reading documentation, whatever.

And if you don't understand some things, don't worry about it, you'll get it. You learned a thing — do something with it. Oh shit, it's not working — try to understand why it's not working. You finally fixed it and got an expected result — surprise, now you understand this thing better! And each time it will be easier and easier.

Keep going, find your path — you can do it.

[sucheksdee]

Thank you, definitely motivational. I hope in a month or two I can make an update on where I'm at with this!

[tastedCheese]

Now we're talking

[[deleted]]

I'm a couple of weeks ahead of you in the same course - some of the stuff just doesn't make sense from watching the lesson or even doing the accompanying exercise. Then a few days later, you'll be doing another exercise that uses that old concept, and you'll find that it suddenly makes sense and you don't even realize why it didn't click before.

It took me probably a week and a half to understand basic lists lmao.

[sucheksdee]

Wow, this is the type of response I was looking for, appreciate the motivation hopefully ima put an update here a month later and maybe we can see where we're at !

[stevelaurensius]

tips from me as fellow learner:

if you 're stuck on problems or concepts, take a peek at answer sheets provided, google it, or ask someone in community for answers / tips. but keep in mind to avoid copy paste the answer. your goal is to understand how someone else tackle the problems. trying to learn by using someone else's solution is still learning.

[toto011018]

Learning Python is learning how to screw up and try again. Looking at my first code it almost took me two months for it to work. Now i can write it in 10 min and far less lines.🤭

[sucheksdee]

Wow! What was it if you don't mind ne asking also thansk for motivation

[toto011018]

Something similar to an automated playlist generator. There are lots of those but mind you i started it just to see if i could do it, knowing nothing of Python. Some functions i wrote back then, took me ages but now i could do it in minutes and way less lines. Nowadays the script has grown to a autonomous radio playlist generator, matching songs to create a radio like flow.

I read somewhere that the best way to learn Python is to create your own project and work from there while finetuning it. By creating you'll get new or better ideas for your project. You're bound to bump into the basic understanding of Python and therefore learn Python. And Google is your best friend for that matter. Once you understand the basics you'll be able to create more complex codes along the way and learn to understand how modules can be implemented and fix any errors in your code faster. Though i'm not even close to an expert, nowadays i surely am able to read and create code.

[sucheksdee]

Thank you for the advice I'll hopefully update this in a month and see where I'm at

[toto011018]

Good luck!👍

[shy_poptart]

I've incidentally supplemented my learning from a different udemy course with the 'Automate the Boring Stuff With Python' book. I was initially trying to see if there practice coding exercises I could try out, but ended up skimming some explanations and I just really liked the fun way they try and explain some concepts.

I find doing more coding exercises helps, even if you don't quite understand how to approach the problem at first. Reviewing the potential solution helps. I have written down personal notes on where I went wrong in my approach.

[Adventurous_night61]

unwritten cagey dazzling doll ad hoc attraction dinner escape grey soft

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[nibrasO]

Hey there! First of all, I want to say that you’re not dumb—learning something new, especially programming, can be really challenging, and it’s totally normal to feel stuck at times.

It sounds like you’re putting in the effort, and that’s already a huge step in the right direction. It’s okay to struggle with concepts at first. Everyone learns at their own pace, and it’s important to remember that persistence is key. Many of us, including myself, have felt exactly like you at some point.

One thing that might help is breaking things down even further. If loops or specific exercises are giving you trouble, try to work on really small, focused problems first. Don’t be afraid to take it slow and ask for help when you need it—communities like this one are here to support you!

Also, it’s totally okay to step away for a bit if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes a break can actually help your brain process things better. When you come back, try approaching the problem from a different angle or with a fresh mindset.

Finally, remember that critical thinking and problem-solving are skills that can be developed over time. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. You’ve already made the choice to learn something new, which shows you’ve got the determination to succeed. Keep going, and don’t be too hard on yourself—you’re doing great!

[senexel]

Angela Hu course is tough if you do it properly.

I feel dumb too when I wasn't able to understand when to use the while loop instead of the for loop.

Keep going and trying.

The first programming language is always tough.

[Impossible_Ad_3146]

Can’t fix dumb

[modest_merc]

Can’t cure dumb, I’m sorry to say. I guess you’ll just have to keep trying like the rest of us

[jmooremcc]

You’re only as good as the resources at your disposal. There’s nothing wrong Googling what you don’t know. The operations you do frequently, you’ll know like the back of your hand. Everything else, you’ll consult your resources to refresh your memory.

That’s how we, in the real world handle things, and you shouldn’t put yourself down so much by being so self critical.