I started learning to code in seventh grade, but I'm now in class 10 in India and haven't written a line of code for almost a year. Most people around me emphasize focusing on tenth-grade marks, and when I do have free time, I usually end up playing games. I'd like to begin again from the basics, especially loops and functions, and eventually learn topics such as asyncio and logging so I can build something like a bot. I enjoy coding when things work, but I often get frustrated by errors and give up. What learning resources, study methods, and habits would help me restart while balancing school? Also, how should I use modern AI coding tools without becoming dependent on them?
3 Answers
A mix of resources can work well: use a beginner-friendly Python book or course, reference sites such as W3Schools when you forget syntax, and videos for extra explanations. The most important part is setting a small project goal and working toward it. Joining a programming group can also help you stay motivated and learn from other people’s experiences.
For Python, *Automate the Boring Stuff with Python* is a useful beginner resource and is available free online. Type the examples yourself rather than copying and pasting. Once you understand loops and functions, you can move toward a bot project, where you’ll naturally encounter subjects like asyncio and logging. When something breaks, read the traceback carefully and search the error message before asking AI for a solution. Since you’re preparing for exams, even 30 minutes of coding each day is enough to build consistency; regular short sessions are better than one long session every few weeks.
That makes sense. I’ve heard of that book before, and I’m going to give it a proper try while focusing on practicing consistently.
Start with a project instead of waiting until you feel completely ready. You can follow a course or roadmap for structure, but building something yourself is what develops problem-solving skills. Try to avoid depending too heavily on AI, especially when debugging, so you learn how to understand and solve problems on your own.
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll try a few different resources and see which learning style works best for me.