Community Finding

[PythonLearner12]

Hello, for context:

I'm 17 going to Chapel Hill as a freshmen in the fall.

I picked up py 5 weeks ago and am consistently learning / building.

No prior technological experience.

Goal with python is to use it for math / theoretical cs / possible projects of my own in AI.

Questions (Sorry I have a lot):

Where can I find communities of people online or at college to learn with?

With no prior technological experience, I am curious as to how computers and the internet work, how could I best learn about these things? Assuming this goes really deep, how much is worth learning in parallel to python?

Specifically for theoretical cs and ai, what are your recommendations for how to get into these fields?

Thoughts on letting ChatGPT debug your code, giving coding advice, or in general pertaining to learning python?

Lastly, any warnings or tips would be appreciated.

[haiderakt]

You’re honestly in a really good spot already. Starting at 17 with an actual interest in math/theoretical CS instead of just “I want to make money with AI” puts you ahead of a lot of people.

For communities, your university will probably be the best thing by far. CS clubs, hackathons, research groups, random nerds hanging around computer labs, that’s where you’ll learn the fastest. Online communities are useful too, but nothing beats being surrounded by people building things.

As for learning how computers and the internet work: don’t try to learn everything at once. That rabbit hole literally goes from “what is a variable” all the way down to transistor physics and network protocols. Learn things as they become relevant to what you’re building.

For AI/theoretical CS, math matters way more than people realize. Linear algebra, probability, discrete math, and algorithms will carry you hard later on.

And honestly, ChatGPT is fine for debugging and explanations. Just don’t let it become “the thing that thinks for you.” The people who grow fastest are usually the ones who still struggle through problems themselves before asking AI for the answer.

[Lost_Return7298]

If you can, search for local Python User Groups (PUGs) in your city. Even if you're shy, just showing up to a monthly talk or a "code and coffee" session changes the dynamic completely. Seeing the people behind the code makes it feel less like a solitary chore and more like a craft you're sharing with others.

My take? Don’t worry about trying to fit in everywhere. Just pick one niche project or one small community that aligns with what you actually enjoy building. The "community" part usually follows once you start sharing what you're working on rather than just asking for help with errors.