[LordPc]

I would say the the "wrong way" thing is mainly people who learnt how to program years ago and are stuck in their ways, and therefore are finding it hard to adapt.

if you learn to program a few months before you are taught it by a uni, it shouldnt be too hard to change and modify what you have recently learnt to "the right way"

or you could just learn the right way to begin with. it shouldnt be too hard to find a reputable textbook that teaches you how to program correctly in whatever language u want. (you might be able to find the recommended textbooks for the 1st year computing course and use them)

as for what language, well you could ask around and find out what language(s) you will learn in 1st year (at whichever uni you are going to) and get started on those.