5 Reasons You Might Fail to Learn Python

Learning Python is one of the best choices beginning programmers can make. But there are some difficulties lurking along the way.

Learning new skills is crucial in our fast-evolving world. I hear a lot of stories from my friends about how they want to change their career path or upgrade their qualifications. And there’s a recurring theme: learn programming.

Learning computer programming online offers a lot of possibilities for you to develop skills without leaving home. You need only to choose your learning path… and the language. The best way is to start with something that’s commonly used and quite simple to understand – something like the Python programming language. Learning Python is perfect for beginners and it opens up a lot of possibilities later on.

In this article, we’ll talk about what could make it harder to learn Python – and what you can do to overcome that challenge.

5 Reasons You Might Fail to Learn Python Programming

No matter what you choose to learn, you must be aware of the difficulties you may encounter so that you can avoid them. If you’re learning Python, the difficulties won’t just be related to understanding the programming language and its concepts. There are a lot of traps concerning your approach to online learning, motivation, self-discipline, and more. Here are some of the common ones:

1. You Don’t Have a Clear Goal

You know that you want to learn Python. But did you think about the details?

• What steps will you take to accomplish your goal?
• How will you recognize that you’ve achieved it?

A lack of clearly-stated goals can be damaging. Deciding to learn is only the first step. Next, you should specify what you want to accomplish. If you want to learn Python, decide what level you want to achieve. Do you want to be an advanced practitioner, or will you be proud of reaching a strong basic level? Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Sometimes less is better.

When you know where you are heading, you can decide how you will measure your progress. If you lose sight of your goal, it will be difficult to finish what you started. Online courses have a great advantage – they come with a set track. You don’t need to create a learning path by yourself; you’ll get a complete training program. A track makes it easier to know when you’ve finished that part of your Python learning journey.

In short, plan what is really important for you to learn. Then make your goals achievable.

2. You Don’t Know Your Motivation

If you’ve already specified your goal, you may already know your motivation: to get a promotion, change careers, do a bit of self-improvement, etc. If you still are not sure about why you want to learn Python, stop and think about it.

Motivation is very important when you’re learning remotely. You won't have a teacher standing over you or midterms in every class. You have only your own conscience; your motivation comes from the inside. You need to find your own motivation to learn Python.

Maybe you want to change your job or be promoted. You might think about starting as a freelancer, then developing your skills and landing a full-time job. Why not dream bigger and think of trying the digital nomad life as a programmer?

Whatever motivation you have, remember to think about it every day. This will be your driving force whenever you feel discouraged (and you will – everyone does).

3. You Don’t Schedule Time to Relax

After a whole week at work, you probably dream about the weekend. It’s time to relax, lay around, read a book, hang out with friends. And then you realize that you promised yourself that you will learn Python. Dark clouds begin to gather. You start thinking of any excuse that could save you from sitting and staring at a laptop through the little leisure time you have. It can be really frustrating.

So don’t even go down this road. You need time to relax. Schedule your education time so that you will have space for both learning and rest. Your mind will absorb knowledge better and faster after a little rest.

Divide learning Python into small, short parts that are easier to digest. Online courses are perfect for this. You can check how much time it will take to complete one lesson and then plan accordingly. For example, if you want to learn Python in a month, you can easily plan how much time you need each day or week.

Even if you don’t have much time left over from your daily obligations, can you steal 15 minutes from another task for the sake of getting new skills? Maybe you can replace some of your social media activities (browsing Instagram or Facebook) with a Python course? Most importantly, you need to feel that you want to spend this time learning and you will see the benefits of it.

4. You Can’t Find a Good Source of Knowledge

Where and how you learn are key factors in your success. Think about your learning preferences. When and how do you learn most effectively?

Maybe you really like to listen to podcasts, audio books, or recordings. Or maybe you like to read or watch video demonstrations. Focus on the sources that best suit your needs (although you can and should use several avenues of learning, too!)

Learning a programming language requires a lot of practice. You can learn with a good book about Python or by watching some tutorial videos on YouTube. But to get the full experience, you should focus on hands-on practice from a course with interactive coding challenges.

Python online courses can be fun. Even if you have no IT background, a good course will teach you the fundamentals in no time. How is a computer program written? What are its basic building blocks? How do computers make decisions? You can find out by taking a foundational Python course!

With an online Python course, you will learn through writing actual code. In all the LearnPython.com courses, modules are fully interactive. First, you learn the necessary theory; then you try it in practice. After typing in your code, you’ll get immediate feedback from the website. If there’s a mistake, you’ll see where it is. If something is difficult, you can get a hint or help from fellow learners. You won’t be left without help, so don’t be afraid.

5. Online Learning Can Be Lonely

Online learning has many obvious advantages. You can learn on your own schedule. You can plan training time as you prefer. Your classroom can be at your desk, on your couch, or in a hammock in the woods – wherever you have access to the Internet.

But there are always some downsides to be aware of. Learning online is a lonely activity. When you feel discouraged because of some difficulties – or when you’re pumped from solving a tough task – the only person in the room to share this with is you.

This may sound sad, but the good news is that even online learning lets you reach out to others. A community of fellow Python learners can be a great support. You can share your struggles. You can give advice to others. You can learn others’ good practices and how they overcome obstacles.

Good online courses have their own support system. You can access helpful resources, get technical support, and join a community of students. You can discuss exercises and make progress even faster.

Learn How to Learn Python!

When trying new things and learning new skills, there is always a chance of failure. But the most important thing is that you are trying. Being aware of your strengths and weaknesses will help you succeed. So don’t wait! Learn Python and open up some new possibilities.

Remember your Python learning checklist:

• What is my goal?
• What is my motivation to learn?
• How much time can I spend on learning Python daily/weekly/monthly?
• How do I want to learn – e.g. online courses, books, videos, etc.?
• How and when will I ask for support?

Happy learning!