Looking back at how you learned something is a solid way to avoid past mistakes. I made plenty when learning Python—some were so frustrating I almost gave up entirely.
Here’s how I’d do it differently.
Start with a Purpose
I wouldn’t start coding just because it looks cool. Guilty. I did that.
Set up the IDE, ran a few basic scripts, and then... got bored out of my mind. Without a real project, it’s just another skill collecting dust.
For example, back in 2020, I took Coursera’s Python for Everybody. Loved it. Finished the course. Never used it in real life. And just like that—poof—forgot everything.
Don’t Relearn Everything—Figure It Out on the Way
Ever heard of figuring it out as you go?
Last year, when I started building automation tools for Revit, I didn’t sit through another Python course. I just Googled my way through.
Took a quick 3-hour refresher (Python full course on YouTube—you know the drill). That was enough. From there, it was just searching, debugging, and trial and error.
Forget OOP—Just Get the Job Done, Be Dangerous
Yeah, I said it. Shoot me.
OOP (Object-Oriented Programming) is great. But for quick automation scripts? Not always necessary.
I still don’t use it in many cases. And that’s fine. If you’re writing small, purpose-driven scripts, prioritize solving the problem over writing “perfect” code.
Learn to Read Documentation
Let’s be real—most of us toss instruction manuals when we unbox something new. But in programming? Docs are your best friend.
Most people don’t talk about this, but learning to read API and library documentation is a superpower. It’s the difference between struggling for hours and solving a problem in minutes.
Will I Actually Follow My Own Advice? Probably Not.
I’ll be honest—I’ll still make some of these mistakes again.
But what I won’t do is waste time grinding through courses without a real use case. Instead, I’ll keep Googling, troubleshooting, and skipping the fluff.
Because at the end of the day, learning to code isn’t about doing it perfectly. It’s about getting things done.
