From experience, I'd definitely second the 'actual project' part, particularly around breaking it down/picking the right level of project. Ideally you want some

From experience, I'd definitely second the 'actual project' part, particularly around breaking it down/picking the right level of project. Ideally you want something that you can pull off in a day or two, then apply what you've learned to the next project, or extend your first project so that it does more. plug: It's the tack that I took when writing Quick and Easy Python (http://manning.com/briggs/ http://manning.com/briggs/) - small bits, building on each other.