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Handpicked Resources I Used to Learn Modern Web Development

Jan 8, 2026
8 min read

When I started building real projects — from static web pages to full frontend-backend applications like Medivue — the journey wasn't about memorizing syntax. It was about understanding why technologies work together: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, and backend APIs.

Along the way, I curated a set of high-quality, practical learning resources that helped me build both foundational knowledge and real development skills.

Below are the videos and playlists I followed — organized by topic — along with why each one helped me and how I used them in real projects.

HTML — The Foundation of the Web

Why This Helped

This tutorial was one of the clearest introductions to HTML I found:

  • • Clean explanations of semantics
  • • Real examples of structure
  • • Practical page layout walkthroughs

How I Used It

Before CSS and JavaScript, I needed:

  • ✓ Clean document structure
  • ✓ Accessibility-friendly markup
  • ✓ Semantic tags for SEO

These fundamentals made writing React components easier later.

CSS — Styling with Purpose

Why This Helped

This CSS tutorial:

  • • Broke down layout concepts
  • • Explained Flexbox, Grid, and responsive design
  • • Emphasized practical page styling

How I Used It

CSS is the backbone of every UI I built:

  • • Global layouts
  • • Responsive navigation
  • • Component spacing systems

Everything in my UI, even in React, is rooted in solid CSS fundamentals.

JavaScript — The Language of the Web

Resource (Playlist):

JavaScript Complete Playlist
Playlist Preview

Why This Helped

This playlist gave me:

Core concepts from scratch

DOM manipulation

ES6+ features

How I Used It

JavaScript drives:

  • • Interactivity
  • • Event handling
  • • Logic for forms, state, and asynchronous operations

Without strong JavaScript fundamentals, React becomes confusing quickly.

React — Building Modern Frontend UIs

Resource (Playlist):

React Complete Playlist
Playlist Preview

Why This Helped

This React series was instrumental because:

  • ✓ Concepts were introduced incrementally
  • ✓ It tied JSX, state, and props to real UI examples
  • ✓ It made React approachable

How I Used It

React is at the core of every web app I build today:

• Component architecture

• Routing

• Dynamic UI states

• Hooks and effects

This foundation let me scale from small components to entire pages.

Backend Development — APIs, Routing, Data

Resource (Playlist):

Backend Development Playlist
Playlist Preview

Why This Helped

This playlist covers:

• Routing fundamentals

• REST APIs

• Server setup

• Database interaction

How I Used It

Backend knowledge allowed me to build full-featured applications like Medivue:

  • • Endpoints for appointments
  • • Authentication workflows
  • • Real-time chat and signaling
  • • Database operations

Backend isn't just "extra" — it's essential for systems with real data flow.

How I Approached Learning (Not Just Watching)

Learning web development is more than bookmarking videos:

1

Build While You Learn

Every concept I watched I immediately applied:

  • • Create small projects
  • • Rebuild UI pieces
  • • Experiment with layout & interactions

This cemented understanding.

2

Connect Concepts Across Layers

Examples:

HTML structure informs React component markup

CSS utilities become design systems

JavaScript state becomes frontend logic

This continuity accelerated learning.

3

Refactor With Purpose

I didn't just finish tutorials — I went back and:

  • • Improved code clarity
  • • Split components logically
  • • Added routing and data flow

This is how side projects became portfolio projects.

Final Thoughts

Every expert starts as a beginner — but great learners approach the journey strategically:

→ They focus on core concepts

→ They apply as they learn

→ They build real experiences, not just watch content

The resources above gave me confidence — not just knowledge.

If you're on a similar path, I hope this shortlist helps you build with clarity rather than confusion.