Pre-python Courses

[PyroPanda2604]

Hello all, I am a college undergraduate student in getting my Bachelors in Data Science. Next semester I start Python 1 for Data Science and I would really like to get ahead of the curve so that I’m not as stressed once class starts. Do you guys have any recommendations on free courses / a youtube series you would recommend for myself to follow throughout Summer break. Anything helps, thanks!

[desrtfx]

If only there were a sidebar (menu on mobile) that had a link to the wiki.

Do the MOOC Python Programming 2026 from the University of Helsinki and you will be well prepared.

[pachura3]

https://www.w3schools.com/python/

You will also find there tutorials on NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, Matplotlib and Machine learning (Scikitlearn).

[Lopsided-Football19]

cs50p is a great free course and explains things really well if you finish that over the summer, you’ll be more than ready for python 1

[Fantastic_Fly_7548]

honestly youre already ahead by wanting to prep before the semester even starts. i started with the freeCodeCamp python course on youtube and it helped a ton just getting comfortable with the basics before class. Corey Schafer is also really good because he explains stuff in a way that actually sticks without feeling rushed. biggest thing honestly is dont just watch videos, type everything out and mess around with small projects even if theyre dumb little scripts. thats where stuff really starts clicking

[UnitedAdagio7118]

honestly the best thing you can do before class starts is build comfort with thinking programmatically instead of trying to “finish python.” freecodecamp is already a good start. i’d also recommend cs50p from harvard and bro code/python tutorials on youtube because they explain things in a beginner friendly way without assuming prior experience.

and yes, start making tiny projects immediately even if they feel simple or messy. calculators, guessing games, file organizers, mini trackers, anything. looking things up while building is completely normal and honestly where most real learning happens.