I'm currently in my second year as a Java developer, working primarily with XML and Swing (the standard Java GUI framework.) My college actually used JavaScript in the introductory courses and then Java in the intermediate ones, but if I could go back I'd start with C. I say that mainly because I like to understand things from the bottom-up as much as possible, but there's something to be said about starting with a higher-level language and peeling away the metaphors.
I'd encourage anyone who is considering learning programming to give it a shot. Even if you're still young, there's plenty out there online and in books to help you learn. Many programmers, arguably some of the best, have been self-taught.
No matter what, though, know that as a hobby or as a career it will command a lot of gumption. Debugging for some people can be the most frustrating thing in the world, while others (like me) may struggle with the more creative aspect of it -- formulating the problem and crafting its solution. Still, if you're the kind of person who enjoys seeing your ideas realized, then the rewards can make it worth the struggle, even if all you're getting the computer to do is to print some words to the screen.
I'd like to learn Python, and when I eventually start, I'll try with the "Learning Python the Hard Way" site that's so popular.
I've heard of that, and by all means give it a shot. I used this site when I had to learn it one summer in advance of a gig:
http://www.greenteapress.com/thinkpython/. I found it quite helpful, though by that point I was an intermediate student in programming. It does start with the necessary basics you'll need.
Python is a great language both for beginners and experts. It may be a while before you fully appreciate how nifty it can be, though.
