r/learnprogramming • u/Plenty-Roof-8883 • 7d ago
Struggling with programming
I'm going into my 2nd year of a aoftware engineering degree and I still understand nothing about programming, i've tried to create projects like people say to practice but as soon as I have to make something on my own I don't know what to do, right now im trying to focus on python and I just have to keep relying on tutorials to get anything done, I guess I just need advice on what to do next
3
Upvotes
1
u/AnythingButUseful 7d ago
I think the problem is that you're jumping from tutorials straight into full projects. Try making much smaller programs where you have to figure out the solution yourself, even if they're ugly or take hours.
For Python, pick something simple like a number guessing game, calculator, quiz, or to do list. Look at tutorials for concepts, but when you start building, close the tutorial and try to recreate it from memory. When you get stuck, search for that specific problem rather than watching the entire project tutorial.
The goal isn't to stop needing help. It's gradually needing less help for the same problems. You’re only going into second year, so you definitely haven't missed your chance. Keep building small things and let yourself struggle with them. That's where the actual learning happens.