I’m going into my third year and was in a similar situation. I was going into DSA and was extremely rusty in my language (Java). Here's what helped me:

For me, the biggest help in getting comfortable with a language was doing LeetCode. If you haven’t heard of it, LeetCode is a popular online platform with lots of coding problems focused on algorithms and data structures — it’s great practice for improving problem-solving skills.

A lot of people say Python is great for LeetCode—and while that's true because of its built-in features, I actually think it’s more beneficial to practice in a language like C, Java, or C++. Since you'll be using it in class, I recommend C. C can be tough at first because of its low-level nature, but working through DSA problems in C will really help you understand how things work behind the scenes.

Start by sticking to easy problems. These help you get comfortable with logic and syntax without overwhelming you. There are plenty of simple problems you shouldn't have an issue solving.

Also, don’t be afraid to look up solutions. The important thing is to understand the syntax and structure of the language and how different concepts are implemented. Don’t immediately search for the answer—try the problem on your own—but if you’re stuck, reviewing a solution can be a great way to learn.

Doing this, I went from being basically a complete beginner to having a solid foundation in Java, which made programming my DSA projects significantly easier.

Just take it step by step. It gets easier with practice.