Complete Weekly Study Plan for Someone Learning Data from Scratch

Starting a journey into the world of data can feel overwhelming, especially for beginners who have no prior technical experience. With so many tools, languages, and concepts to explore, it’s easy to get confused about where to begin. That’s why a structured weekly study plan can make all the difference — helping you learn step-by-step and build confidence as you go.

Week 1 – Understanding the Basics

Begin with understanding what data really means. Learn the fundamentals — types of data, basic statistics, and how businesses use data to solve problems. You don’t need any tools at this stage. Spend time watching introductory videos and reading articles that explain concepts in simple terms. This week is all about awareness and curiosity.

Week 2 – Mastering Excel and Spreadsheets

Excel is the starting point for most beginners because it teaches you how to organize, clean, and analyze data. Practice formulas, pivot tables, charts, and data cleaning exercises. Try working with real datasets like sales, customer lists, or financial numbers. By the end of the week, you should be comfortable performing basic analysis independently.

Week 3 – Introduction to SQL

The third week is about learning SQL, the most essential language for querying databases. Start with SELECT, WHERE, ORDER BY, GROUP BY, and JOIN. You don’t need to learn advanced queries immediately. Just focus on understanding how data is stored in tables and how SQL retrieves insights from them. Daily practice makes a big difference.

Week 4 – Learning Data Visualization

Once you understand how to work with data, it’s time to learn how to display it visually. Tools like Power BI, Tableau, or even Excel dashboards help communicate insights effectively. Focus on building simple dashboards, using bar charts, line charts, maps, and KPIs. The goal is to tell a story with data rather than just showing numbers.

Week 5 – Introduction to Python for Data

Python may look intimidating at first, but it becomes easier if you take it step-by-step. Start with basic programming concepts — variables, loops, functions, and lists. Then explore libraries like Pandas and NumPy for data manipulation. Try working on mini-projects like analysing sales data or marketing campaign results.

Week 6 – Building a Portfolio Project

A portfolio is crucial for landing data job opportunities. Choose a problem that interests you, collect data, analyze it, build dashboards, and present insights. Employers value practical projects more than theory, so this week is all about applying what you’ve learned. Upload your project on GitHub or LinkedIn to showcase your skills.

How Analytics Shiksha Helps Beginners

Many learners struggle not because the subject is hard, but because they don’t have a clear roadmap. That’s why platforms like Analytics Shiksha have become popular among aspiring analysts. Their structured data analytics course helps beginners learn step-by-step through real-life industry projects, expert guidance, and hands-on practice. For someone starting their journey from zero, a planned learning approach can make the transition into the data field much faster and more confident.

Learning data from scratch doesn’t require long hours or advanced coding knowledge. What matters most is consistency and following a structured plan each week. With discipline, hands-on learning, and the right support, anyone — whether a student or a working professional — can build a strong career in the world of data.