Hi everyone! I'm a recent high school graduate and I'm planning to start programming before I begin university in fall 2026. I'm eager to participate in online hackathons and internships during this time. I'm particularly interested in starting with Python and will be taking the CS50 Harvard course, then I hope to explore AI/ML afterward. While I want to master Python at the moment, I'm really open to any advice or constructive criticism you all might have! Additionally, I'm curious about the equipment I need to get started—will a laptop and smartphone be sufficient? If you have suggestions for free websites, software, or YouTube channels that could help me in my learning journey, I'd love to hear them!
5 Answers
Congrats on taking this step! CS50 is a solid start. Make sure whatever computer you use is up to the task for that course. Just remember, enjoy your summer and don’t rush—make time for fun too! Once you’re in school, be ready to re-learn some of what you taught yourself; different perspectives can really enhance your understanding.
Best advice I ever got: JUST START! Don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis—pick something that interests you and jump into learning. CS50 and The Odin Project are excellent resources. It’s all about getting hands-on experience!
Hey! It’s awesome that you’re getting a jumpstart on programming! Python and CS50 are a great combo for laying a strong foundation. Here are some tips: Code a little every day; even small projects help. Building mini projects early is a lot of fun and super beneficial. A laptop and smartphone are fine to start with—maybe consider a second monitor later on, but it’s not a must. Free resources like FreeCodeCamp, The Odin Project, and later Kaggle for ML are fantastic. YouTube channels like Corey Schafer and Tech with Tim have great content, too. Joining coding Discords or GitHub communities can be helpful for learning and networking. Keep it up—asking for help is key! You've got this!
The key is to find something interesting and just dive in! Don't wait for the perfect lesson or mentor. Begin building—you'll learn way more by trying things than by just reading or watching videos!
Why not find an app that you could benefit from and build it? Start simple! Creating something you need is highly motivating and gives you clear goals of what you want to achieve.
I agree about the second monitor—it’s nice but not necessary! I’ve coded comfortably with just one monitor for over 15 years. Investing in a good keyboard, though, might be worth it since it makes long coding hours easier.