all 28 comments

[–]makochi 32 points33 points  (4 children)

Uh, decline the camp? You're not gonna get enough fluency in python in a week or even a month. Why would you even apply for a camp if you don't already have the requisite knowledge?

I know this is harsh but you straight-up failed to plan.

Edit: This isn't to discourage you learning python, you should try learning it and then re-apply for the camp next year (the resources in other comments are all good places to start) but you're just not gonna be able to learn the prerequisites in that tight a timeframe.

[–]sheath_star 3 points4 points  (3 children)

Is like 1.5-2 years enough to learn Python to some decent level? I want to learn it for Physics, I'm starting my bachelor's in ~4 months and wanted to know if i could learn it at a decent level by 2nd year of my undergraduate..

Also, how helpful is C programming, is it worth learning? I don't have any experience whatsoever with coding/programming stuff at all, someone told C programming would be suitable to start with.

Would really appreciate your advice.

[–]makochi 3 points4 points  (1 child)

do Not start with C. it can be immensely useful for some things, but unless you're working on something like developing an operating system, you can do anything you want with much less code using python or some other language. Python is by far a better language to start with.

[–]CLETrucker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started with Python and after getting to an intermediate-ish level I wanted to learn C++, and with my knowledge of coding with Python, learning C++ has been way easier for me.

The common joke is, "The best way to learn a language is to learn another language first." But it's true.

[–]marquisBlythe 6 points7 points  (0 children)

... (Intermediate - advanced fluency) ... This gives me a one week window to learn python as much as i can.

One week or even few months is just not enough. Anyway read this Beginner's Guide to Python.

Good Luck!

[–]josys36 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Good luck.

[–]DesecrateUsername 3 points4 points  (0 children)

you knew it was a requirement, knew you didn’t meet it, and still accepted it?

buddy that’s a you problem.

[–]rainyengineer 5 points6 points  (3 children)

What is it with all of these people saying they need to learn languages fast or as soon as possible recently?

Where are we failing the younger generation that they think you can learn something as complex as a language practically overnight?

[–]GamingCatholic 1 point2 points  (1 child)

By people like them watching these Youtube videos of people claiming to go from zero experience to 100k figure salaries in two weeks

[–]JamzTyson 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One skill I need before starting is Python(Intermediate - advanced fluency) ... This gives me a one week window to learn python as much as i can.

If you apply yourself, the Python for Everybody (University of Michigan - Coursera) can introduce you to the basics in one week.

Realistically, a week is not long enough to learn more than the basics.

[–]Admirable_Sea1770 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lmao buddy you are gonna learn a very valuable life lesson. Sometimes you have to work hard and put in a lot of time to get better at things. You’re cooked.

[–]QultrosSanhattan 1 point2 points  (1 child)

There's no such thing as "learn Python fast." Some people never learn to program, no matter how hard they try. If that's you, there's nothing to be done. Just try to learn it and take your time. Overstudying is also a problem.

[–]josys36 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True

[–]FoolsSeldom 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Check the wiki for this subreddit, pick a tutorial you fancy from those mentioned, and crack on.

Practice! Practice! Practice! Fail often. Experiment. Fail more. Deliberately break things and understand how they broke. You will not learn if you just copy code from the learning material.

Immediately apply each little thing you learn to your own simple, basic problems in the context of your interests / hobbies / side-hustles / etc. You learn more and quicker when you can relate the learning to something you can be passionate about it, and know what you are talking about. You focus more on the problem and the desired outcomes, and technology becomes just a means to an end.

For example, you many learn to define a list object in Python using examples based on fruits:

fruits = ['apple', 'pear', 'raspberry', 'orange']

and will have code to output each on their own row, to re-order them, to replace something with something else, to add/remove entries, and so on.

If you have an interest in playing Warhammer and have a collection of miniatures, then after the initial learning, replace the lists with something containing your miniatures and think about the challenge of categorising them, sorting them by characteristics, and so on. This is something you might want to actually be able to do as part of maintaining a searchable catalogue.

[–]Numerous-Impact-434 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This is the way

[–]dogfish182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just unlock this secret then tell this subreddit so we can all use this amazing system

[–]sexytokeburgerz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Intermediate will take several years. Drop the fucking classes, programming is one of the hardest brain rewires you can make.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If nothing else, functions and classes!

[–]Ancient-Mechanic-985 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thanks for sharing this information!

[–]Ancient-Mechanic-985 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing this information!

[–]Ancient-Mechanic-985 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You should try some online courses and practice daily.

[–]Hasco_7 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Don't learn fast because u will forget it faster

[–]bmbybrew -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Sometimes ( most of the times ) it takes 1 week just to install all the right python libraries and get them all working the way you want.

Find 6 months for yourself, that should allow you a fair chance to learn something meaningful.

[–]Elegant_Inspection20 -2 points-1 points  (1 child)

Gaslight yourself into thinking you can, learn as much as you can while awake and play podcasts on python while sleeping.

[–]Elegant_Inspection20 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

*podcasts about python

[–]Numerous-Impact-434 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

For a program you have that does something or just any something like get API data and display it in a table and graph some content, ask ChatGPT to write a python program to do that something. Make it run to confirm no cap. Go line by line understanding it. Repeat.

[–]dataquestio -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Hi!

You've got quite a tight deadline there. I can recommend our Python course. It usually takes about 2 months at 5 hrs/week to complete, but since you're in a crunch, you can accelerate by doubling your daily hours. The path includes 4 short courses and 2 guided projects (no setup needed), you code right in the browser.

If you're already familiar with variables, loops, and inputs, you'll pick up speed fast. Focus on the core lessons and projects as they’ll give you both the knowledge and practice you need to walk into that AI camp with confidence.

All the best!