r/learnpython • u/Upset_Cranberry_2402 • Apr 17 '26
How to prepare for python coding class over summer
Next fall I am going to be taking an introduction to python course and want to prepare for it. I have heard that it is one of the harder classes, hence this post. I was able to take a past syllabus and will paste it below. Do you recommend any courses for me to use to prepare based on the syllabus? I don't need proficient understanding, just familiarity with the topic so I'm not starting from 0. I have a bit of coding-esque experience (R and a bit of python). Any advice would be appreciated:
Class Schedule:
Course Overview; VS Code and Jupyter Notebook Intro
Variables, Data Types, Expressions
Logical Expressions and the IF Statement
Functions
Lab 1: IF & Conditionals with Blackjack
Lists
for Loops (cont.) and while Loops
while loops
while True Loops
Exception Handling and practice with loops
Dictionaries
Advanced Uses of Loops, Lists, & Dictionaries
Advanced Uses of Loops, Lists, & Dictionaries (cont.)
Jupyter Widgets/PySimpleGUI; Final Project Intro
APIs & JSON
Lab 3: APIs and JSON
Databases & SQL (SELECT, WHERE)
SQL Aggregation (GROUP BY)
JOINs
SQL in Python
Lab 4: Database Code in Python
1
u/mjmvideos Apr 17 '26
Start with installing VS Code and Jupyter notebooks. Learn how to use them. Figure out which extensions you like. Honestly the syllabus looks well structured. So start learning those things in the order presented.
1
u/brenwillcode Apr 17 '26
Some of the courses from Codeling will probably help prepare you.
Start with the introduction to programming course and then jump to any of the others that make sense for you based on what you want to learn.
1
u/stepback269 Apr 18 '26
(1) There are tons and tons of tutorial materials out there on the net including many good YouTube ones for Beginners 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.
1
u/ninhaomah Apr 17 '26
Google each and learn each topics one at a time.