Walked past a local library and saw a free Python workshop for total newbies

I was heading to grab a coffee yesterday and saw a sign outside the downtown library for a 'Python for Absolute Beginners' class starting next week, no cost at all. It made me wonder if those free community classes are actually a good way to start, or if you just end up lost in a room full of people. Has anyone here tried one of those free library coding sessions and did it help?

3 comments

3 Comments

eva9081mo ago

My cousin went to one and said the teacher was great, but you really have to ask questions to keep up.

clairem471mo agoMost Upvoted

Oh totally, that's why I think you gotta go in with the right mindset. I took a free woodworking class at the library once, not coding, but same idea. The instructor showed us how to set up a dovetail jig and I spent the whole time trying to get my saw cut straight instead of just watching her demo. By the end my piece looked like a beaver chewed it, but I learned more from that mess than if I had just sat and nodded along. Same with Python I bet - if you're too worried about looking dumb to try typing stuff out, you're just gonna leave with a handout and a headache.

uma6851mo ago

Hell yeah, go for it. Those free library classes are solid if you actually do the work. Like @eva908 said, you gotta speak up when you're stuck. I went to one years back and the key is to mess around with the code examples they give you right there, don't just watch. If the teacher shows a loop, type it out and change the numbers. Makes it stick way better.