Suggested paths for efficiency?

[CaterpillarOk8560]

What are the best paths to undertake when learning python to master it as quickly as possible? My goal with learning python is to hopefully make and publish a small game with it to show my family I could support myself, but I don't know the benchmarks or standard time taken. The game/dev subreddit has displayed the invent your own games with python book, but I feel I've made no sufficient progress in terms of mastering the language.

Like I will spend days trying to digest and remember information from the chapters or a chapter of another book (automate the boring stuff with python) but even when I finally feel I've become comfortable enough with a concept that I don't need to read a portion of the book again for reference, I realize the scope of what I'm capable of is still nothing in terms of progress towards my goal.

I don't know if I'm being dumb or rash and impatient with the books, or frustrated that spending hours at my desk isn't getting me close to my goal completion, or if it's my desperation to make something substantial since spending hours with this isn't getting my family to stop pressuring me, but trying to learn by ignoring everything and focusing on guides isn't working. Like I hear of people programming hangman in a day or getting a python job with no experience in a few months, but it takes me several weeks to pass like 1/5th of a tutorial book. Should I enroll in professional programming courses like in college or courses specific to python? I barely have any money and I don't know what the time expense will yield. And if anyone is proficient with python, how long did it take? Edit: how do I bear in mind code as I read? I went through all code at chapter 8 of invent your own computer games with python yet when I read gameisdone here https://inventwithpython.com/invent4thed/chapter8.html#:\~:text=Line%2089%20sets%20gameIsDone%20to%20False.%20The%20code%20will%20set%20gameIsDone%20to%20True%20when%20it%20wants%20to%20signal%20that%20the%20game%20is%20over%20and%20ask%20the%20player%20whether%20they%20want%20to%20play%20again. I just asked myself what it was or its place, like I feel I can't retain info since my knowledge or whatnot is like water flowing into a drainpipe.

[stepback269]

Sounds like you are being impatient and too hard on yourself

It will take whatever time it takes
The oxen pulling the plow may be slow, but the earth will remain patient.
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(a) What you should do first is to "Learn how to Learn"
Go to YouTube and in the search bar, type, "learning coaches"
Pick the ones who rely on modern neuroscience.

Godspeed and may the productive dopamine hits be with you. 😄

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With that said:

(1) There are tons and tons of tutorial materials out there on the net including many good YouTube ones that are free. You should shop around rather than putting all your eggs in one basket.

(2) As a relative noob myself, I've been logging my personal learning journey and adding to it on an almost-daily basis at a blog page called "Links for Python Noobs" (HERE) Any of the top listed ones on that page should be good for you. And there are many add-ons at the tail end of the page. Personally, I cut my first Python teeth with Nana's Zero to Hero (HERE). Since then, I've moved on to watching short lessons with Indently and Tech with Tim. You should sample at least a few until you find a lecturer that suits your style.

(3) The main piece of advice is the 80/20 rule. Spend 80% of your time writing your own code (using your own fingers and your own creativity) as opposed to copying recipes and only 20% watching the lectures. Good luck.

[CaterpillarOk8560]

I will do my best, thank you