What Should I Learn Before Starting a Computer Science Degree?

A structured beginner programming course is probably the best place to start. Look for an introductory course that teaches Python along with problem-solving, variables, functions, loops, data structures, and basic algorithms. Work through the exercises instead of only watching the lessons, and try writing small programs on your own.

A practical course platform such as Kaggle Learn can be useful, especially for learning Python through short interactive lessons. Once you understand the basics, practice with small projects like a calculator, a simple text game, a lab-results organizer, or a data-cleaning script.

You could also learn spec-driven development early: before coding, write down what the program should do, its inputs and outputs, and a few example cases. This habit makes larger assignments easier and helps you focus on solving the problem rather than immediately typing code.