Before you start compiling things, you can and should make extremely simple programs like "Hello World", easy data base, simple letter display application - that sort of thing. Start with console applications using an IDE or SDK which matches your course that you plan. There are thousands of tutorials through the web to get you started in console applications. Trust me, you only need to make a few of them before you are ready to start in the area of compilation. If you get confused at any point, then feel free to ask for help.
Clinton