100 Days of Python: A Complete Breakdown of My Coding Journey

Funmilayo Tobun
7 min read5 days ago

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On November 1st, 2024, I embarked on a challenge to code in Python every single day for 100 days. But I didn’t stop there — I also committed to creating and posting long-form YouTube videos daily throughout the challenge. This wasn’t just about improving my coding skills; it was about pushing myself to stay consistent, build discipline, and establish my presence in the tech space.

Taking on both challenges at the same time was intense, but I was determined to see it through. Now that I’ve completed the 100 days, I want to share my experience — the wins, the struggles, and the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way. You can watch the 100 Days videos here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYpbyhsnSabD6nKl1RvT40VDVOa2ATl_A

The Journey

This challenge was more than just coding every day — it was a teaching experience. Each day, I wasn’t just learning; I was explaining Python concepts to an audience, breaking down complex topics into digestible lessons, and reinforcing my own understanding in the process.

Throughout the 100 days, I explored a wide array of Python topics and projects, including:

Basic Concepts: Starting with fundamentals like print and input statements, control structures, and data types.​

Data Structures: Delving into lists, tuples, dictionaries, and sets, understanding their applications and nuances.​

Functions and Modules: Creating reusable code blocks and organizing them into modules for better maintainability.​

File Handling: Reading from and writing to files, and handling exceptions gracefully.​

Object-Oriented Programming: Implementing classes and objects to model real-world entities.​

GUI Development: Building graphical user interfaces using libraries like Tkinter.​

Web Development: Exploring frameworks such as Flask for creating web applications.​

Data Analysis: Utilizing libraries like Pandas and NumPy to manipulate and analyze data.​

Automation: Writing scripts to automate mundane tasks, enhancing productivity.​

Game Development: Creating simple games to apply programming concepts in an engaging way.​

Since I had to explain concepts clearly for my YouTube audience, I often had to dive deeper into topics than I usually would if I were just coding for myself. Teaching forced me to research, simplify, and apply concepts in real-world scenarios.

Balancing daily coding, content creation, and editing was challenging, but it made me more disciplined and efficient. The journey wasn’t just about learning Python — it was about becoming a better teacher, communicator, and problem solver.

If you’re curious to see the code I wrote each day, you can check out my 100 Days of Python Programming GitHub repository here: GitHub Link.

Challenges Faced

Sticking to the 100-day challenge wasn’t always easy. There were several obstacles I had to overcome, both in terms of coding and content creation.

Time Management: Balancing coding, content creation, and editing for YouTube every day was intense. Some days, it felt like there weren’t enough hours to get everything done. However, I quickly learned the importance of time-blocking, setting aside specific hours for coding and video production.

Motivation: On some days, motivation was low, especially when dealing with difficult problems or facing burnout. There were times I didn’t feel like coding or filming, but I reminded myself of the bigger goal — completing the challenge and improving my skills. Staying consistent was key, even when I wasn’t feeling inspired.

Debugging and Problem-Solving: As I progressed through more complex topics, I encountered tough bugs and difficult problems, especially with recursion and more advanced Python concepts. Debugging became a crucial skill, and I learned to approach issues systematically and patiently.

Content Creation Pressure: Creating daily long-form YouTube videos on top of coding every day was another level of challenge. Finding ways to explain concepts clearly and engagingly was often time-consuming. However, I found that teaching reinforced my learning and helped me become more efficient at both coding and video creation.

Despite these challenges, I pushed through by staying organized, breaking tasks down into manageable steps, and reaching out for help from the coding community when needed.

Biggest Takeaways & Lessons Learned

Consistency is Key: The biggest lesson I learned is that consistency matters more than motivation. Some days were harder than others, and there were times when I didn’t feel like coding or filming a video. However, showing up every day — even if it was just for a small task — kept the momentum going and helped me make steady progress toward my goal. It’s proof that small daily actions add up over time.

Learning by Teaching: One of the most powerful aspects of this challenge was that I had to teach what I was learning. Explaining concepts to my YouTube audience made me dive deeper into each topic, forcing me to simplify complex ideas and ensure I truly understood them. Teaching became a tool for reinforcing my knowledge, and I found that I often learned more by breaking things down for others than I did by just coding on my own.

Problem-Solving Mindset: This challenge taught me that debugging is an essential skill for any programmer. Encountering bugs and solving problems became an opportunity to improve my problem-solving skills. Instead of getting frustrated, I learned to approach issues with patience, breaking them down into smaller parts and troubleshooting methodically. Each challenge made me a more resilient and skilled problem solver.

Python’s Versatility: Throughout this 100-day journey, I was continually amazed by Python’s flexibility. From automating repetitive tasks to analyzing large datasets, building web applications, and even creating games, Python allowed me to explore different areas of development. It reinforced my belief that Python is one of the most versatile programming languages, and learning it has opened countless doors for me in various fields.

The Impact on My Career and Goals

Completing the 100 Days of Python challenge has had a profound impact on my career and future goals. It gave me the confidence to take on bigger projects and opened doors for me in ways I hadn’t imagined when I started.

Launched My WhatsApp Training Program: One of my main goals for this challenge was to create a training program for beginners, and I’ve already successfully launched my WhatsApp training program. This program helps learners get started with Python, offering weekly training sessions, project PDFs, video links, and resources to guide them through their coding journey.

My Udemy Course: I’m thrilled to have already created a Udemy course based on my 100 Days of Python journey. The course is designed to help learners build a strong foundation in Python programming, guiding them from beginner to more advanced topics.

My Ebook on Amazon: I’ve also published my ebook on Amazon, titled Learn Python Programming in 9 Weeks. The book is perfect for beginners and career switchers, providing a clear roadmap for learning Python step-by-step and giving them the tools to continue building their programming skills.

Building a Python Learning Mobile App: Another exciting project I’m working on is developing a mobile app for learning Python. The app will allow learners to access tutorials, practice coding, and track their progress on the go. I’m planning to use Flutter for app development, merging my passion for Python with a new skill set.

Advice for Others

If you’re thinking about taking on your own 100 Days of Python challenge, here are some tips based on my experience:

Set Realistic Goals: Break down the challenge into smaller, achievable goals. It can be easy to get overwhelmed if you try to take on too much at once. Instead of aiming to master everything at once, focus on one concept at a time, and set specific, measurable targets each week.

Mix Coding Problems with Real-World Projects: While solving coding problems is essential, don’t forget to work on real-world projects. Building actual applications helps solidify your knowledge and makes the learning process more practical and rewarding. It also gives you something tangible to show at the end of the challenge.

Engage with the Community: Learning is easier when you’re not doing it alone. Engage with other learners, share your progress, and ask for help when you need it. Whether it’s through forums, social media, or friends, having a community to lean on will keep you motivated and accountable.

Don’t Fear Mistakes: Mistakes are part of the learning process. Debugging will become one of your most valuable skills. The more mistakes you make, the more you learn. So, embrace errors as opportunities to improve, rather than getting frustrated.

Stay Consistent, Even on Tough Days: There will be days when motivation is low. On those days, remember that consistency is more important than perfection. Even writing a few lines of code or reading through a tutorial can keep the momentum going. The key is to keep showing up, even when it’s hard.

Conclusion

Completing the 100 Days of Python challenge has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has not only helped me grow as a developer but also pushed me to expand my horizons and pursue new projects like my WhatsApp training program, Udemy course, and mobile app.

If you’re considering taking on your own challenge, I highly encourage it! It’s a journey that will test your skills, expand your knowledge, and help you build the discipline necessary to succeed in tech. Let’s keep learning and growing together — feel free to check out my training programs and courses to continue your Python journey!

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Funmilayo Tobun
Funmilayo Tobun

Written by Funmilayo Tobun

My name is Funmilayo Tobun, and I am the founder of Beth Media, a thriving web design agency based in Frankfurt am Main.

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