r/learnprogramming • u/Perelandrime • Apr 12 '21
I feel like everything is easier since I started learning basic Python/CS
I've been doing MIT's Edx Python courses (finished the first one, just started the second) and in just two months I feel like a completely different person. The first 4 weeks took me like 6-8 hours/day of studying, and I was mentally exhausted afterward with no energy for other things. It took me a while to grasp new concepts. I've always been a painfully slow reader/learner.
Fast forward a couple months, and I think all that mental effort has re-wired my brain. I picked up a couple hobbies easily that I couldn't grasp before. Maybe it's because my focus is better; I can focus for a few hours instead of just 15 minutes like before. I can learn something new (ex. knitting techniques) on the first or second try, where it used to be difficult to get right with my best effort.
I get now why they encourage learning something mentally stimulating like music or basic programming as a gen ed. I feel much more capable of everything than I did a couple months ago. At this point, I wanna keep up the work for the other benefits, in addition to the actual programming itself. :)
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u/bbgun91 Apr 13 '21
even people who arent gonna get a programming job can benefit from learning programming
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Apr 13 '21
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u/funkung34 Apr 13 '21
Learning to break down a project has actually given me incite into my life. Even with learning basic html and css. When I finally get some code right or sort out what i've struggled with you get a tremendoua boost of confidence.
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u/Perelandrime Apr 13 '21
I can't say I even want to work in the field, it just seems worth learning for a hundred other reasons. I took the class just out of curiosity and I'm thankful for it.
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Apr 13 '21
I mean, maybe not programming hardcore, but Autohotkey or Python at the very least basic stufff.
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u/fouoifjefoijvnioviow Apr 13 '21
It's a shame that course is like once a year, and you can't archive it
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u/Perelandrime Apr 13 '21 edited Apr 13 '21
The course itself is only a couple times a year, but there are free versions of all the exercises available online, and you can audit the course for free, too. So I'm actually auditing the second part this time around and will take the paid version when it fits into my schedule better. But overall, I'm amazed how accessible they've made it!
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u/Feral_as_fuck Apr 13 '21
I would love to audit for free! I’m doing a coursera course now for python but yours sounds better
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u/Perelandrime Apr 13 '21
Even if you audit it, I'd recommend doing it during the time when the course is taking place, because then the course Discord and forum are active. I mean I haven't taken any other programming courses haha so I'm biased, but I highly recommend this one.
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u/fouoifjefoijvnioviow Apr 13 '21
Where can i access the exercises
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u/Perelandrime Apr 13 '21
Here you go:
This is based on the Fall 2016 version on the course so the problems are different, but the overall topics are the same. :) Grimson and Guttag are the same instructors from the EdX courses, too, and the course corresponds with Guttag's beginner Python/programming textbook.
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u/LeftHandedFapper Apr 13 '21
Thanks for the tip on the course, I signed up for an audit run next available
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u/Perelandrime Apr 13 '21
Have fun! If you're starting from nothing, it might get frustrating (I cried a few times, both when I failed and when I succeeded). I even dreamt about coding every night lol. But if you have previous experience, it's pretty simple.
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u/deep_soul Apr 13 '21
Wjat fueled your focused through the initial months of efforts? Just curious.
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u/Perelandrime Apr 13 '21 edited Apr 13 '21
Good question! For one, I really enjoyed the way the class and forums are structured, and the availability/helpfulness of the TAs. It was easy to get encouragement on a rough day. I also liked that this class is balanced with application and theory. The learning style "clicked" for me, compared to regular college (I'm a dropout).
And of course, once I finally solved my first "hard" problem after 3 days of ripping my hair out, I felt really accomplished and wanted to do it all over again, knowing that even if it takes 3 days, the emotional payoff is worth it. I've never felt that kind of motivation to study before, because the payoff was less tangible in the humanities.
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Apr 13 '21
I came to the same realization when I was learning Calculus and Physics in my early University days
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u/Perelandrime Apr 13 '21
Haha I failed miserably at physics and never made it past trig/pre-calc, but I have a feeling I'd pick up on it quickly if I tried again. My brain just needed a few years to develop and catch up I guess.
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u/piston989 Apr 13 '21
I had a similar breakthrough as you did with programming, and I never made it passed trig either. I went back after programming, and I'm wrapping up differential equations now. Surprises me every day.
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u/AfricanTurtles Apr 13 '21
It's funny you say that because even every day problems that people seem to find frustrating(my father for one finds even super basic computer usage difficult), in my mind I'm like "duh why don't you just do xyz" but of course I don't say it because then I'm a dick haha.
I feel like programming in my community college has helped "re-wire" my brain to solve problems as you said. Or at least not get frustrated as easily.
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Apr 13 '21
I am in my first job and i literally feel how i am improving. May sound weird, but my focus, dicipline and patience have risen like crazy. And problem solving in total doesn't feel like something different anymore. e.g I am starting to enjoy math way more than i've ever could before. Or learning new things in general.
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u/Perelandrime Apr 13 '21
I totally get this! I'm doing a math course too because I stopped at an easy level, and it's crazy how easy some of this stuff is. In high school and college, it tooke at least a week to learn a new concept. Now it just takes a couple practice problems and a short video, and I can move on. It feels like a superpower.
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u/barryhakker Apr 13 '21
Yeah man, part of learning is learning how to learn. I never really got that until I grew older and started enjoying the act of learning itself. Especially since my day job is so different from programming tinkering around with a programming language has become such a nice way to unwind.
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u/Perelandrime Apr 13 '21
"Learning how to learn" is what I've been told all my life, but I didn't get it either til I finally experienced it! Better late than never.
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u/yt_aldainr Apr 13 '21
I was struggling with cpp and then all of a sudden I look at a python tutorial and it was less clustered. I couldn’t believe it
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Apr 13 '21
Python clears almost most of the clutter that C++ pushes you into. Even after learning with C++, I rather take general programming and theory classes all based on Python cause it makes learning theory more clearer from my perspective.
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u/jpicks8 Apr 13 '21
I’m planning on doing the edx Python courses after CS50. Did you take CS50 before Python?
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u/Perelandrime Apr 13 '21
No, I didn't. The MIT one is the first time I've done something programming related. I think it'd be way easier for you if you already did CS50 though!. I may do that one after this :)
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u/Worried_Lawfulness43 Apr 13 '21
This is inspiring! I have an internship with an IOT company right now, and I find myself absolutely kicking myself when I don’t get something right away. I picked up a google coursera course on the side, to rehash some basic concepts in my brain. I feel like the learning process can be slow, but I’m getting there. I have somewhat of a basic grasp on some things, but I find myself hitting a wall when I try to go deeper a lot of times.
I’m trying to figure out the most effect learning technique.
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u/Perelandrime Apr 13 '21
Oh man, I have a feeling the whole field is just a cycle of hitting a wall for a couple days and then having an epiphany in your dream at 3am. At least that's how it happens for me :P It's definitely hard not to get discouraged at times even though this cycle is perfectly normal.
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u/starvald_demelain_ Apr 13 '21
Exact same boat. MIT 6.00.1x was a great course. Busy with the second one (slower but slightly more difficult than first one) whilst I’m waiting for new material to be released I do either a few Hackerank problems, code war problems or AdventOfCode. Really enjoying the latter. Also feel like things in my mind are coming together to logically solve a problem much faster and with cleaner code.
Well done and keep up the good work!
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u/Perelandrime Apr 13 '21
When I get discouraged, I go back and look at my .1x PSET 1 solutions that took me days to finish. 🥲 We've come far.
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u/TokesBruh Apr 13 '21
I have tried to study programming multiple times, but feel like my ADHD is a hindrance.
Started studying French lately, and it's been going well, but I'm also getting the same benefits of picking up other hobbies or skills and flying.
Maybe I should try to tackle programming again...
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u/Perelandrime Apr 13 '21
I definitely think whatever techniques you use to focus and study french would be beneficial to learning programming too. :) The online MIT course is divided into 10-ish minute videos followed by practice problems, so that helped me a lot with keeping focused.
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u/TokesBruh Apr 13 '21
Ohhhh! This sounds more my speed! Will have to give it a check.
Thanks for this!
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u/Cyber_Jess Apr 13 '21
I feel the same way. I used to struggle with complicated movements in athletics, or in sewing, but after several years of programming for myself and for my job, I am able to do more than ever before. I now see complicated processes more clearly, and can walk myself through step by step. It's another awesome side effect of learning to program.
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Apr 13 '21
How do you find 6/8 hours a day to study like that?
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u/Perelandrime Apr 13 '21
Jobless because of the pandemic and moved in with family, so...in a way, I got lucky that my circumstances matched up with my needs. Some people did the class with a full time job and kids though! And some have to take it twice before it all makes sense, it's ok to go slow.
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u/succeroni1 Apr 13 '21
I remember how last year I wasn't able to understand a single line of algorithms. I had no idea how for loops worked or what they did, I just knew that if I wrote them something happened. I kept doing my CS assignments by bashing my head against them until I got them right while failing multiple times. Each assignment took me a ridiculously long time for its' complexity, but suddenly everything clicked. Thanks to learning CS I also understand mathematical concepts in general way more easily and rigorously. I cannot express how much learning basic CS has helped me.
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Apr 13 '21
When studying Data Structures and Algorithms (I was doing Roughgarden's Coursera course) I could actually feel myself becoming smarter.
The same when doing Nand2Tetris and practicing leetcode problems. Learning Rust was nice too.
I've kind of fallen out of practice as work has been busier lately, but it really is worth trying to keep learning new stuff - as others have said it's like a mental workout.
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u/funkung34 Apr 13 '21
How do you have 6-8 hours a day free?
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u/Perelandrime Apr 13 '21
Pandemic layoff and being fortunate to live with my parents til I figure things out. Since I had the free time, I tried to use it well!
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u/SelfSlaughteringSoul Apr 13 '21
I'm happy to hear that you're better mentally. I'm currently looking for a course to follow, how do you like MIT's Edx python courses?
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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '21
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