I am in a similar boat, i have taken very few programming classes,
visual basics 4.0 in like 7th grade
and recently a Intro to computer algebraic equations class in college, which turned out to be a c++ class
when looking for ideas think outside the box, try to come up with ideas to simplify tedious activities.
zach was nice enough to explain how to use a wrapper for me, and all the other programers are more than willing to answer questions or point you in the right direction.
if you ask them the right questions.