I recently started learning Python again after doing some coding in high school about 13 years ago. I initially learned a few things with ChatGPT, then decided to study more systematically with Think Python. I'm now working on the exercises that use Python's turtle module to draw letters of the alphabet, but I have no idea how to begin. I also struggled with the earlier flower exercise and only understood it after looking at the solution. Is this kind of difficulty normal for a beginner, or does it suggest that programming may not be for me?
4 Answers
You may learn faster by building something you genuinely want to use, starting with a very small version and adding features gradually. Practical projects give you a reason to keep going when the concepts get difficult. A structured beginner course can help too, especially if you feel that your current material is moving too quickly or you need more guided explanations.
No, this doesn’t mean you’re incapable of programming. It means you’re still learning how to break a problem down. Before touching the computer, draw the shape on paper and write down the individual actions needed: move forward, turn, lift the pen, and so on. Then translate those steps into code. Planning like this is a skill that improves with practice.
Don’t expect to solve exercises instantly, especially if you’ve only been learning for a short time. Programming involves getting stuck, trying different approaches, reading documentation, and asking specific questions. Looking at a solution can be useful, but study it afterward, close it, and try to recreate the idea yourself so you actually learn from it.
Using an AI assistant as your main teacher can be confusing when you don’t yet have enough background to judge its explanations. Try a course, book, or tutor that presents concepts in a deliberate order, and use AI as a supplemental tool for hints and explanations rather than having it solve every exercise. Struggling is expected; the important part is continuing to experiment and seeking help with the exact step that is blocking you.
It also helps to make the task smaller. Draw one straight line first, then a simple angle, then one letter. You don’t have to understand the whole exercise before writing the first tiny piece.