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Tarunya Kesharwani
Tarunya Kesharwani

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Stop Watching 40-Hour Tutorials: Here's How I'd Learn MERN Today

#webdev #beginners #opensource #javascript

Every few weeks, I see someone asking:

"How do I learn MERN Stack?"

And almost every time, the advice looks something like:

  • Learn HTML
  • Learn CSS
  • Learn JavaScript
  • Watch a 40-hour React course
  • Watch a 20-hour Node.js course
  • Watch a MongoDB course
  • Build a project

Six months later, many people are still stuck in tutorial hell :')

If I had to learn MERN again from absolute zero, I would do things very differently.

Not because tutorials are bad.

But because most people spend far too much time watching and far too little time building xD

Step 1: Finish JavaScript Basics First

Before touching React, Express, MongoDB, or anything else...

Make sure you understand JavaScript properly.

If JavaScript feels confusing, React will feel even worse ._.

Do not rush this step.

Seriously.

You'll thank yourself later :))

Step 2: Learn Basic Git & GitHub

You do NOT need to become a Git wizard.

Just learn the basics.

Most beginners think they need to master Git before writing code.

You don't.

Learn enough to avoid accidentally deleting your work XD

The advanced stuff can come later.

Step 3: React — Don't Overdo Tutorials

This is where many people lose months T_T

If you want a deep, hands-on understanding of React, then watch the freeCodeCamp course.

But here's the thing:

You do NOT have to finish an 11-hour course before building.

A lot of people spend weeks collecting React tutorials...

and somehow never build a React project :')

That's the trap.

Watch.

Build.

Get stuck.

Repeat.

Step 4: Build React Projects

The goal isn't to make them perfect.

The goal is to get stuck.

Because getting stuck is where the real learning starts.

Nobody remembers the tutorial they watched.

Everybody remembers the bug that ruined their entire Saturday XD

Step 5: Node.js - Don't Spend Weeks Memorizing Modules

This might sound controversial.

But don't spend weeks trying to memorize Node.js APIs.

Nobody remembers every method from:

  • fs
  • path
  • stream
  • crypto
  • os

And if someone claims they do...

they're probably lying :))

Most developers check docs constantly.

I still do.

Step 6: Learn Express

This is where backend development starts becoming fun :D

Routes start talking to databases.

APIs start returning actual data.

Frontend and backend finally become friends instead of strangers XD

Step 7: Learn Axios

A surprisingly important skill.

This is usually the moment where people go:

"WAIT... my frontend can actually talk to my backend?!"

And suddenly things start feeling like real software :')

Step 8: Learn Testing

Most tutorials completely skip testing.

Then people join a real project and see hundreds of test files.

Their reaction is usually something like:

"What fresh hell is this?" XD

Learn the basics.

Future you will be grateful.

Step 9: MongoDB — Learn the 20% That Gives 80% Results

Many beginners overcomplicate MongoDB.

Honestly?

Just learn CRUD.

No, seriously.

Just CRUD.

Create.

Read.

Update.

Delete.

That's enough to build a shocking number of projects :))

Don't spend three weeks studying database theory before writing your first query.

Step 10: Build a Full MERN Project

Now combine everything.

React + Express + MongoDB.

At this stage you'll discover what you actually don't know.

And trust me...

that list will be longer than expected XD

Which is completely normal.

Step 11: Join Open Source and Get Scared Like Crazy

Seriously.

This was one of the biggest learning accelerators for me.

Find an organization.

Clone their repository.

Run the project.

Watch it fail.

Read the README.

Miss a step.

Watch it fail again.

See 500 folders.

See 20,000 lines of code.

Question your life choices.

Question your career choices.

Question reality itself.

Then slowly figure things out :')

That's where the real growth starts.

Not in tutorials.

Not in courses.

Not in roadmap videos.

In confusion XD

Lots and lots of confusion.

Open Source Contributions

Click the image to explore some of the issues I've worked on in open source :))

The Biggest Mistake Beginners Make

They keep preparing.

Another course.

Another tutorial.

Another roadmap.

Another "complete guide."

Another YouTube playlist.

Another productivity system.

Another Notion page.

Another bookmark folder.

At some point you have to stop preparing and actually build something ¯(ツ)/¯

You won't feel ready.

Build anyway.

Resources I'd Actually Recommend

Instead of collecting hundreds of bookmarks, I'd focus on a handful of high-quality resources and repeatedly use them while building projects.

JavaScript

Git & GitHub

React

Node.js

Express.js

Axios

MongoDB

Testing

Final Advice

If I could give only one piece of advice:

Stop optimizing your learning roadmap and start building.

Most developers don't have a knowledge problem.

They have an execution problem.

Build projects.

Join open source.

Get stuck.

Figure things out.

That's where the real learning happens.

Let’s Connect

If you're also learning, building, or exploring software engineering beyond tutorials, feel free to connect.

I regularly write about:

  • Open Source
  • GSoC
  • Angular
  • React
  • NestJS
  • TypeScript
  • Backend Engineering
  • Software Architecture

Still learning.

Still breaking things.

Still Googling error messages.

Still reading documentation.

Still wondering why the code worked yesterday but not today XD

And still convinced that building beats watching :))

Top comments (1)

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tarunya profile image
Tarunya Kesharwani •

If you reached till here, awsm, now you have already overcome the biggest step of starting something; most people will read, feel good and procrastinate!!

Hats of to you for contributing to your growth 😊