I've recently completed a Fullstack course on Mimo.org, and while I understand React pretty well, I'm struggling with Express and SQL. I'm finding myself stuck in what people call 'tutorial hell.' I know I need to start creating my own projects to apply what I've learned, but I'm unsure where to begin. I'm thinking about starting with small projects that gradually introduce more complexity. If anyone has been in a similar situation, how did you get through it? Also, are there any resources or websites that can help me create basic projects for practice?
5 Answers
The best way to get out is to rebuild what you've learned from scratch without looking at tutorials. If you can’t remember something, then look it up but try to finish on your own. Doing this a few times will help solidify your understanding. You'll soon see how things connect and how to set up your projects with frameworks like Express. Just keep experimenting and building!
I totally relate to being stuck in tutorial hell! When I was in your shoes, I found the best way to break free was to start adding new features to my old projects. For instance, try building a simple to-do list app from scratch. Break the project down into smaller tasks; if you hit a wall, search for solutions to those specific issues instead of trying to solve everything at once. Once you get your to-do list up and running, keep iterating on it. Maybe add a way to filter tasks or set due dates. Just remember, the key is to tackle smaller problems first and gradually expand your project. Oh, and don’t hesitate to embrace Google—learning how to ask the right questions can be a game-changer in your development journey!
Yeah, adding features is such a good way to reinforce what you learn. It makes the process so much more rewarding!
If you're feeling lost regarding project ideas, most software involves some form of a todo list. Focus on making a basic one; it doesn't have to be fancy! Once you get that working, consider adding features like user authentication or connecting it with a database. Learning how to handle things like CORS errors during deployment might be frustrating, but it's part of growing as a developer. Remember, every problem you solve builds your confidence!
It sounds like you have a solid plan! Getting out of tutorial hell often just requires you to start building something that feels challenging but useful. Don’t worry too much about perfection—just dive into something that interests you. And remember, there are tons of resources for project ideas. Websites like FreeCodeCamp or Codecademy often have project lists to guide you, and coding communities on platforms like Stack Overflow can help when you get stuck. The most important thing is to keep practicing and experimenting!
For resources, stackoverflow is a great place to ask questions when you're stuck, and you can find plenty of documentation online for the libraries you are using. Learning to navigate those resources effectively is part of the journey. Also, a fun approach is to build a simple app like a todo list. Once you've mastered that, you can gradually add new features like user authentication or deploy it online. That's where the real learning happens!
Thanks for the suggestions! I think a todo list might be a good starting point.
Exactly! Plus, you'll learn about CRUD operations quite easily that way.

Great point! Breaking it down really makes it manageable. I always struggled with bigger concepts too.