I'm 19, have completed my first year, and recently started learning Python. I've finished the basics and am now trying to study data structures and algorithms in Python, but I'm unsure whether this is the right path for me at this stage.
I have trouble staying focused. I'll start a lecture, get distracted by browsing or streaming, and then end up jumping between different topics after discovering something new online. That leaves me confused about what I should actually learn and whether I'm making meaningful progress.
Should I continue with DSA, start building projects, or follow a different learning path? I'd also appreciate advice on improving my focus and taking programming more seriously.
2 Answers
Working on your attention span will help, but you also need a simple plan. Pick one learning goal for the next few weeks, remove distractions while studying, and avoid switching topics every time you discover something new. Progress comes from sticking with one direction long enough to practice it.
You don’t have to force yourself through DSA immediately. At the beginner stage, try building a small project you genuinely care about, such as a simple game, task tracker, automation script, or website tool. Learn the Python concepts and data structures as they become necessary for that project. Practical work can make the material easier to understand and give you a clearer sense of what area interests you.
That makes sense. I’m mainly unsure what I would work on if I were starting from my current position, so I’ll try choosing one small project instead of constantly changing topics.