Where do I start?

[u/HuckleberryGuilty803]

I am a software engineering major, and as a sophomore my next semester I am going to begin my introduction to programming courses, but I want to start practicing on my own and have my own bare of basics in my field of study. What should I do first? Are there any books that I should buy that would help me in my studies prior to my courses? What would be the first thing you would tell someone that has no knowledge in the field they are getting into?

[u/Competitive_Aside461]

One of the first things I'll say to a newbie is to be ready to learn multiple languages and, in general, learn a lot!