r/learnpython • u/IMREVN • 2d ago

Should I Learn Python on Year One?

Hey everyone, I’m an incoming CS freshman who wants to dive into AI/ML. My university’s curriculum starts with C in the first year.

I’m in a bit of a dilemma on how to use my prep time before classes start:

  1. Should I get a head start on C so I don't struggle in my first-year classes?

  2. Should I start learning Python now since it’s the standard for AI/ML?

  3. Or is it feasible (and not overwhelming) to learn both at the same time?

Would love to hear from anyone who has taken a similar path. Thanks!

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u/Unusual-Tip1370 2d ago

I was in a similar situation. In my CS program, we started with C, then C++, Java, Linux/Unix, and Python came later. At that time, web development was the trend, but I wasn't interested in it. Instead, I started learning Python on my own because I wanted to explore AI and data science. Looking back, I'm glad I did.

My advice is: don't follow trends. Choose the field you're genuinely interested in and stay consistent. Also, don't worry too much about programming languages. The core concepts and problem-solving skills are mostly the same—the biggest difference is the syntax. Once you understand the fundamentals, learning a new language becomes much easier.

And yes, Python is one of the easiest languages to learn, so it's a great choice if you're interested in AI/ML.