Introduction
It’s been over three years since I began my journey as a Software Engineer, and so far, I’ve come to truly appreciate the value of simplicity and functionality in learning.
When I first started learning React, I constantly searched for tutorials that promised to build something massive and shiny—like a fancy banking app or a complex admin dashboard. The result? A collection of unfinished tutorials, a surface-level understanding, and a constant urge to jump onto the next shiny thing. ✨
Here’s what I’ve learned:
From my own experience, I’ve realized that those kinds of tutorials are actually great—but only after I’d taken time to grasp the basics and build a solid foundation in the tool I was learning.
So What Kind of Tutorials Should You Look For?
When you’re just starting out, I recommend choosing tutorials that are straight to the point. Look for ones that focus on functionality, not just aesthetics.
The official tutorials on the documentation pages of technologies may not seem exciting at first. I get it—building a tic-tac-toe game with React or a simple contact book using React Router doesn’t exactly scream “portfolio project.” ☹️
But here’s the thing:
These basic tutorials teach fundamentals quickly, with minimal setup and without overwhelming you with complex architecture or third-party integrations. They help you grasp the essentials without burning out. 😪
Yes, Beautiful Projects Matter—but Timing Is Key
Of course, it’s exciting to add visually appealing apps to your portfolio—I feel the same way. But if you’re still in the early stages of learning, jumping into a 15-hour bank app tutorial packed with advanced libraries might actually slow you down or discourage you.
That doesn’t mean those tutorials aren’t valuable. In fact, I’ve learned a lot from them and deeply appreciate the creators who take the time to build them. And to be fair, not all “big” tutorials skip the fundamentals. Some of them are incredibly well-crafted and do an excellent job of breaking things down from the ground up. ⬆️
The point I’m making is: if you’re new, your priority should be building a strong foundation first—so that when you do take on those bigger tutorials, you’re not just copying code blindly.
Once you’ve built up your fundamentals with those “boring” but efficient tutorials, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can follow through with the larger, lengthier and more advanced ones. You’ll be less overwhelmed, more confident, and much more likely to avoid burnout. 😪
Learning isn't just watching or reading only—it's building.
Don't just collect knowledge. Use it!
And whatever you do, don’t get trapped in tutorial hell. 😈🚫
If you want to dive deeper, I recommend this great article by Lane Wagner on how to escape the trap of endless tutorials.
Wrapping Up
Next time you’re exploring a new technology, don’t dismiss the official docs just because the tutorials seem too simple or not portfolio-worthy. Give them a try. You might be surprised by how much you’ll learn in such a short time.
Then, when you're ready, dive into the long-form content by your favorite YouTubers and course creators. Build that impressive bank app, music player, or real-time chat app. By that point, you’ll be equipped not just to follow along—but to understand what’s happening under the hood. 💯
I used to be overwhelmed by long tutorials. But now, I see them as a challenge I’m ready for—thanks to the foundational knowledge I built from the simpler ones.
Shoutout to all the amazing creators producing detailed, hands-on tutorials. I still have plenty of your content saved in my watch-later list—and this time, I’m ready!!!
Let me know what you think! I’d love to hear if this resonated with you or about your own experiences learning from docs and tutorials.
If this gave you some clarity, share it with others who might find it helpful.
Thanks for reading! Bye for now. ✨
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