What programming languages should I learn before starting my BS this fall?

You might want to prioritize discrete math over learning new programming languages. It's really valuable and proof-based mathematical skills will support your programming journey!

Instead of trying to stack more languages, focus on solving real problems. Python is more than enough to get started. I suggest you take on a small project that interests you; you'll learn far more from actually building something than from going through tutorials for multiple languages.

I totally agree! Stop worrying about the number of languages you're learning. Build something concrete with Python first. One completed project will give you more experience than trying to learn three different languages.

Python is a solid foundation, but once you're comfortable, you should definitely look into JavaScript since it's everywhere in web development. You’ll likely encounter it in various projects at school. Java is another common choice, especially for courses on data structures and algorithms. Don't overlook C++ as well, as some universities still use it for lower-level programming courses. Also, consider learning SQL for database work, since nearly every project requires some form of data storage.

C is a fantastic language to learn as it’s very widespread and simple. Knowing even a little C will help you understand other languages better, particularly how memory works, plus it’s useful in Cython.