5 years ago, I couldn’t build a single frontend project.
I’d watch tutorials and feel confident—until I tried building something independently.
Everything felt hard. Impossible. Overwhelming.
Fast forward to today: I’m a Senior Frontend Engineer at Palantir.
What if I told you that learning frontend development doesn’t have to feel so laborious?
You don’t have to feel like the dumbest person in the world.
In today’s newsletter, I’ll show you how to study frontend development the lazy way.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
Two Lazy Ways to Learn Frontend Development
Whether you can afford paid resources or not, these two approaches will guide you to success.
Option 1: Use FrontendMasters (7 Steps)
FrontendMasters made frontend development click for me. Their teachers are amazing, and the courses are concise and straight to the point.
If you’re a student with the GitHub Student Developer Pack, you can get 6 months free. Otherwise, it’s $39/month.
Here’s how to use it effectively:
Start with the free Frontend Development Bootcamp. This course introduces you to the basics. Build the projects—it’s crucial for learning.
Tackle 1-2 junior-level projects on FrontendMentor. If you get stuck, Google it, ask ChatGPT or get help on Reddit (or email me!). It’s okay if it feels slow and painful—that’s how you learn.
Take the Advanced JavaScript course (JavaScript: The Hard Parts, v2). This will help you understand advanced concepts and debug your code.
Build 1-3 intermediate projects on FrontendMentor (intermediate project list). Focus on projects that require APIs and async operations.
Learn React. Start with any "Complete Intro to React" course on FrontendMasters. The latest one at the time of writing is Complete Intro to React, v8.
Build 1-3 projects with React on FrontendMentor. Rebuild your earlier projects with React to see its advantages.
Deepen your React knowledge:
* Read the [React documentation](https://react.dev).
* Check out [Intermediate React, v5](https://frontendmasters.com/courses/intermediate-react-v5/).
* Grab my free e-book with **101 React Tips & Tricks** [here](https://www.frontendjoy.com/p/download-my-free-101-react-tips-tricks-book).
* (Bonus): I highly recommend the [Advanced React](https://www.advanced-react.com/) book.
Option 2: Use Free Tools (7 steps)
If you can’t afford paid resources, don’t worry—you can still learn frontend development efficiently.
Here’s what I recommend:
Follow the free Frontend Development Bootcamp on FrontendMasters. You’ll need to create an account. Build the projects as you go—it’s key to learning.
Build 1-2 junior-level projects on FrontendMentor. Struggling is part of the process—Google, use ChatGPT or ask for help.
Use JavaScript.info to master JavaScript. It’s a comprehensive, free resource.
Build 1-3 intermediate projects on FrontendMentor (intermediate project list). Focus on projects involving APIs and async operations.
Learn React. Head to React’s Quick Start and follow their tutorial.
Build 1-3 React projects on FrontendMentor. Rebuild your earlier projects with React to reinforce what you’ve learned.
Level up your React knowledge:
* Read the [React documentation](https://react.dev).
* Download my free e-book with **101 React Tips & Tricks** [here](https://www.frontendjoy.com/p/download-my-free-101-react-tips-tricks-book).
* (Bonus): I highly recommend the [Advanced React](https://www.advanced-react.com/) book.
Summary
Follow these steps, and you’ll not only be comfortable in frontend development but also confident enough to:
Google what you don’t know.
Use AI tools to help with coding.
Tackle advanced frameworks like Next.js.
Most of your learning will come from practice, so keep building, keep experimenting, and, most importantly—keep going.
💡 Food for thought
That's a wrap 🎉.
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