lnet_tutor/learning_plans/python

Python Advanced Learning Plan

🐍 Welcome to Your Python Mastery Journey!

This comprehensive learning plan will guide you from wherever you are now to advanced Python expertise.

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📚 What's Included

1. Master Plan (00_PYTHON_MASTER_PLAN.md)

Your complete roadmap containing:

• 32 detailed modules organized in 5 phases
• Module-by-module breakdown with time estimates
• Resource recommendations (books, courses, practice platforms)
• Milestone achievements to celebrate your progress
• Learning tips and best practices
• Assessment strategy for continuous improvement

2. Knowledge Graph (01_KNOWLEDGE_GRAPH.md)

Complete dependency map showing:

• 13 knowledge levels from basics to expert
• Topic dependencies - what to learn before what
• Parallel learning opportunities - topics you can study together
• Visual knowledge tree showing relationships
• Prerequisite matrix for efficient planning

3. Initial Assessment (02_INITIAL_ASSESSMENT.md)

Determine your starting point with:

• Self-assessment questionnaire covering 50+ topics
• 6 coding challenges (beginner to expert)
• Proficiency level determination
• Personalized recommendations
• Custom learning path based on your level

4. Progress Tracker (03_PROGRESS_TRACKER.md)

Track your journey with:

• Module completion checklists
• Exam score tracking
• Study time logging
• Skill mastery matrix
• Project portfolio
• Milestone achievements
• Weak areas identification

5. Assessments Directory (assessments/)

Store your exam performance reviews:

• Personalized exam assessments after each exam
• Detailed analysis of strengths and weaknesses
• Study recommendations based on results
• Progress tracking over time

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🎯 Learning Path Overview

Phase 1: Foundations (2-3 months)

Goal: Master Python fundamentals

• Module 1.1: Python Basics
• Module 1.2: Data Structures
• Module 1.3: Functions & Modules
• Module 1.4: File & Exception Handling
• Module 1.5: OOP Basics

Phase 2: Intermediate (3-4 months)

Goal: Build intermediate skills

• Module 2.1-2.7: Advanced OOP, Iterators, Decorators, Context Managers, Regex, Functional Programming, Type Hints

Phase 3: Advanced (4-5 months)

Goal: Master advanced concepts

• Module 3.1-3.8: Metaclasses, Descriptors, Magic Methods, Memory Management, Threading, Multiprocessing, Async, Performance

Phase 4: Expert (3-4 months)

Goal: Achieve expert-level proficiency

• Module 4.1-4.8: Design Patterns, Testing, Debugging, Package Development, C Extensions, Advanced Data, Network Programming, Databases

Phase 5: Specialization (Ongoing)

Choose your path:

• Web Development (Django/Flask/FastAPI)
• Data Science & ML
• DevOps & Automation
• Security & Cryptography

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🚀 Quick Start

Step 1: Assessment (1-2 hours)

1. Open 02_INITIAL_ASSESSMENT.md
2. Complete the self-assessment questionnaire
3. Try the coding challenges
4. Determine your proficiency level

Step 2: Planning (30 minutes)

1. Review 00_PYTHON_MASTER_PLAN.md
2. Identify your starting phase
3. Note topics to skip/review
4. Set your target completion date

Step 3: Study (Daily)

1. Follow the recommended module order
2. Study theory (30-60 minutes)
3. Practice coding (60 minutes)
4. Work on projects (varies)

Step 4: Assessment (Weekly/Monthly)

1. Take quizzes after each module
2. Take comprehensive monthly exams
3. Build projects to apply knowledge
4. Update your progress tracker

Step 5: Review & Adjust (Monthly)

1. Analyze exam results
2. Identify weak areas
3. Adjust study plan as needed
4. Celebrate milestones!

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📊 Mastery Levels Explained

Level	Name	Description	Example
0	Unfamiliar	Never encountered	What's a metaclass?
1	Aware	Know it exists, basic understanding	I've heard of decorators
2	Competent	Can use with documentation	I can write decorators with docs
3	Proficient	Use confidently without docs	I write decorators regularly
4	Expert	Can teach, optimize, debug	I understand decorator internals

Goal: Reach Level 3+ on all core topics, Level 4 on specialization

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💻 Recommended Study Schedule

Option 1: Full-Time Learning (4-6 hours/day)

• Timeline: 8-10 months to expert level
• Daily: 2 hours theory + 2-4 hours coding
• Projects: 2-3 per week
• Pace: 1 module per week

Option 2: Part-Time Learning (2-3 hours/day)

• Timeline: 12-18 months to expert level
• Daily: 1 hour theory + 1-2 hours coding
• Projects: 1 per week
• Pace: 1 module per 1-2 weeks

Option 3: Casual Learning (1 hour/day)

• Timeline: 18-24 months to expert level
• Daily: 30 min theory + 30 min coding
• Projects: 2 per month
• Pace: 1 module per 2-3 weeks

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📚 Essential Resources

Books (In Order)

1. "Python Crash Course" by Eric Matthes - Foundations
2. "Fluent Python" by Luciano Ramalho - Intermediate/Advanced
3. "Effective Python" by Brett Slatkin - Best Practices
4. "Python Cookbook" by David Beazley - Advanced Recipes
5. "High Performance Python" by Micha Gorelick - Optimization

Online Platforms

• Official Python Docs (python.org) - Reference
• Real Python (realpython.com) - Tutorials
• LeetCode/HackerRank - Practice
• Stack Overflow - Q&A
• GitHub - Open source exploration

Practice Platforms

• Codewars - Kata challenges
• Exercism.org - Mentored practice
• Project Euler - Math/programming
• Advent of Code - Annual challenge

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🎓 Integration with Exam System

This learning plan integrates with the tutor system's exam platform:

Available Python Exams

1. python-easy-v1 - Basics (10 questions)
2. python-intermediate-v1 - Comprehensive (50 questions)
3. python-easy-15q-v1 - With new features (15 questions)

Exam Features

• ✅ Multiple choice questions
• ✅ True/false questions
• ✅ Multiple selections (new!)
• ✅ "I don't know" option (honest assessment)
• ✅ Automatic scoring
• ✅ Detailed results with feedback
• ✅ Progress tracking

How to Use Exams

1. Complete a learning module
2. Take the corresponding exam
3. Review results and weak areas
4. Revisit topics you struggled with
5. Retake exam after review

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🏆 Key Milestones

Milestone 1: Beginner Complete ✅

• Timing: Month 2-3
• Achievement: Can write functional Python programs
• Project: CLI application (todo list, calculator)
• Exam: Score 80%+ on beginner exam

Milestone 2: Intermediate Complete ✅

• Timing: Month 5-7
• Achievement: Master OOP, decorators, generators
• Project: Web scraper with database
• Exam: Score 75%+ on intermediate exam

Milestone 3: Advanced Complete ✅

• Timing: Month 9-12
• Achievement: Understand async, metaclasses, optimization
• Project: Async web server
• Exam: Score 70%+ on advanced exam

Milestone 4: Expert Complete ✅

• Timing: Month 13-16
• Achievement: Master design patterns, testing, packaging
• Project: Published PyPI package
• Exam: Score 80%+ on expert exam

Milestone 5: Specialization ✅

• Timing: Month 17-18+
• Achievement: Deep expertise in chosen domain
• Project: Production-ready application
• Certification: Professional portfolio

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💡 Learning Tips

Do's ✅

• Code every single day
• Build projects, not just tutorials
• Read others' code (GitHub, Stack Overflow)
• Teach what you learn (blog, Stack Overflow answers)
• Use "I don't know" honestly in assessments
• Review weak areas immediately
• Join Python communities

Don'ts ❌

• Don't rush through modules
• Don't skip fundamentals
• Don't just watch videos without coding
• Don't ignore error messages - learn from them
• Don't compare your progress to others
• Don't get discouraged by difficulty
• Don't study multiple languages simultaneously

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🔄 Update Schedule

This plan is maintained and updated:

• Weekly: New practice problems added
• Monthly: Exam bank expanded
• Quarterly: Content reviewed and refined
• Yearly: Major updates for Python versions

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📞 Support & Community

Get Help

• Stack Overflow for specific questions
• Reddit r/learnpython for discussions
• Python Discord servers
• Office hours (if available)

Contribute

• Share your projects
• Answer beginner questions
• Suggest improvements to the plan
• Create additional practice problems

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🎯 Your Next Steps

1. ☐ Read this README completely
2. ☐ Open 00_PYTHON_MASTER_PLAN.md for full details
3. ☐ Complete 02_INITIAL_ASSESSMENT.md
4. ☐ Review 01_KNOWLEDGE_GRAPH.md for dependencies
5. ☐ Set up your 03_PROGRESS_TRACKER.md
6. ☐ Schedule daily study time
7. ☐ Join Python community
8. ☐ Start Module 1.1!

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🌟 Success Stories

"This structured approach helped me go from knowing nothing about Python to building production web applications in 14 months. The knowledge graph made it clear what to learn next, and the progress tracker kept me motivated!"

— Your future testimonial here! —

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You've got this! Start today, stay consistent, and you'll achieve Python mastery. 🐍🚀

Last Updated: October 20, 2025 Python Version: 3.11+ Next Review: January 2026