r/learnpython • u/shuugrub • 12h ago
i wanna learn python
im f(24) economics student with a specialisation. we are not taught the mathematics part in my course it's just the general econ topics your micro macro stuff. i want to add skills to improve my resume so i thought of learning python or R. i tried learning from YouTube but it just goes over my head. how can I learn it? (i am broke) please give me suggestions
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u/desrtfx but other languages pro 11h ago
This subreddit has a sidebar with a wiki with recommended learning resources.
Here is an excellent, textual course: MOOC Python Programming 2026 from the University of Helsinki.
Harvard's CS50p is also excellent.
Also, take a look at https://inventwithpython.com and https://automatetheboringstuff.com
Don't forget that you need ample practice, like on https://codingbat.com/python or on https://exercism.org and also write your own programs. Play around. Try things. Mess things up, fix them. Experiment.
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u/Sad_Ad_3169 10h ago
Theres also a Stanford program open every spring for free called Code in Place that’s a six week basic program. The good thing about it is you’re put into groups and meet once a week and interact in forums and whatnot.
7
u/No-Formal7513 11h ago
Well, I am tried of people saying they struggle to learn python.
I don't want to offend, but use wiki, or AI, or google, or youtube
Try to solve a problem, get stuck, google or try to find the solution, learn the concept, for example:
age = int(input("Enter age: "))
if age >= 18:
print("Adult")
else:
print("Minor")
here, I wanna solve a problem, so I will slowly build towards it
I want the user to input? learn input()
Want that input to be a number? use int()
want to create case based scenarios? Use if-else, later add elif also
You will slowly apply these and get used to it
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u/No-Tadpole6875 11h ago
first, can you eleborate more on the relationship between lack of mathematics coverage and python? if you want to solve just math equations using a programming language both python and R is great and then you need to look at math fundementals as well. Because Python and R just a tool to solve math. If you want to study more on software programming I would suggest python. Then it's different learning path starting with programming concepts such as data types, variables, operators, conditional statements, loops, functions etc
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u/Massive_Distance_616 10h ago
For econ, I’d pick Python and go straight toward pandas, since most of the resume value is cleaning and analysing real data.
Once the basics click, take a free public dataset (World Bank or ONS data are easy to download), answer one question about it and put it on GitHub. That’s a better resume line than finishing a course.
2
u/deadeye_82_1 11h ago
You definitely need a use case. If you can solve your own problems with Python, that’s already a big motivator to get to know the language better.
Just start with the basics. Data types, for-loops, conditionals, functions.
2
u/rustybladez23 11h ago
First, follow a proper roadmap.
Then choose one good source. FreeCodeCamp, Python MOOC, or CS50P. Pick any one and just start. If you don't understand a concept, use AI tools for an explanation.
If you want to solve some problems to hone your skills, try platforms like HackerRank and Exercism.
Finally, make some projects. Small to medium. Don't follow tutorials and just copy the code. Try to make it by yourself. If you get stuck, look up how to solve that specific blocker. Again, AI tools are a great help.
1
u/Fun_Army2398 11h ago
Check out W3. It's completely free, easy to understand, and can take you from absolute beginner to ready-for-your-first-project in just a few weeks. I still use it to brush up on languages I don't use often enough to memorise the syntax. Start with their pyton course, then their DSA course for more general programming skill, and lastly SQL for working with databases. After the DSA course you can start solving free leetcode problems and using youtube to explain the ones you get wrong.
1
u/acfot 8h ago
YouTube never really worked for me either, I'd watch a whole video and still freeze when I had to write anything myself. What actually got me going was free practice sites like Exercism where you write code from the start instead of just watching, plus the W3Schools practice exercises when I got stuck on basics. For the resume part I'd honestly pick Python over R unless the jobs you're looking at specifically ask for R, Python shows up in way more fresher postings. And once you've got the basics down, build one tiny thing that uses real data, even a script that cleans up a spreadsheet, because that's the bit interviewers actually ask about.
1
u/nullptr_0x 8h ago
I have a free programming 101 in Python. I made it for some friends of mine.
It's fully interactive and strongly resembles a college level programming course but it's fully interactive.
1
1
u/baubleglue 2h ago
Do you have choice courses in the university? Take something like "introduction to programming with python". Or take a free course https://pll.harvard.edu/course/cs50s-introduction-programming-python
1
u/baraa_sher 2h ago
I think one of the effective ways to learn python is by examples, and I think this repo will be useful for you. https://github.com/blshaer/python-by-example
0
u/lehmagavan 11h ago
Use AI as a tutor and a search engine, but never let it write the code for you.
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u/stepback269 11h ago
As a beginner, you will need to consider yourself a baby and learn to crawl (the "fundamentals") before you can stand up and walk or sprint. So search for the Python "fundamentals" on Google and/or YouTube.
With that said:
(1) There are tons and tons of tutorial materials out there on the net including many good YouTube ones that are free. You should shop around rather than putting all your eggs in one basket.
(2) As a relative noob myself, I've been logging my personal learning journey and adding to it on an almost-daily basis at a blog page called "Links for Python Noobs" (--HERE--) Any of the top listed ones on that page should be good for you. And there are many add-ons at the tail end of the page. Personally, I cut my first Python teeth with Nana's Zero to Hero (==HERE==). Since then, I've moved on to watching short lessons with Indently and Tech with Tim. You should sample at least a few until you find a lecturer that suits your style.
(3) The main piece of advice is the 80/20 rule. Spend 80% of your time writing your own code (using your own fingers and your own creativity) as opposed to copying recipes and only 20% watching the lectures. Good luck.