How do I start learning programming effectively?

First off, you're not alone; everyone feels lost starting out! A good tip is to just write and read a lot of code. That’s really all you can do. Familiarize yourself with your code editor and make use of features like going to definitions and searching your project. It gets easier with practice!

A simple starting point for coding is to run basic programs like '10 print "hello world"' and see how they work. From there, you can progressively tackle more complex code as you grow more comfortable.

Don't be afraid to look things up on Google to understand how stuff works. Try searching for explanations, rather than code snippets. Also, check in with your professor if you need more guidance; they can help clarify things for you.

One approach I found helpful was pasting my code into an AI tool to get explanations for each line. It keeps you accountable to your learning curve. Just be honest about your level, take your time, and check out resources like 'Automate the Boring Stuff with Python' – it’s free and really practical!

Utilizing AI can be a really effective way to learn, just use it to guide you instead of writing the code for you. Getting explanations in simple terms is useful, but avoid becoming reliant on it for coding.