I agree with what nostrademons said in his reply. However, I also find it useful to try your hand at coding stuff that the language is good or well suited for.

I agree with what nostrademons said in his reply. However, I also find it useful to try your hand at coding stuff that the language is good or well suited for. For example, when doing python, don't write cli tools (although you can very well do that with python). Write a web app or learn Django and try and build something using the framework. Focus on the spaces where people claim the language is best suited for. When switching back to C, do systems level programming. Also, set your goals (ie: what you'd like to build using the language) according to the strengths of the language. Off the top of my head, here's something I would suggest: Ruby -- Build a webapp -- possibly a complex enough app. Aim big -- like gitorious perhaps. Focus on learning rather than completion. Python -- Build a game C -- Contribute to the linux kernel :) ...you get the drift, I guess