The bootcamp is over, the first skills are in place – now it’s time to start applying for jobs or maybe even dive straight into the new role.
Pet projects or personal projects are the best way to keep learning. Not only do they help you solidify the basics in JavaScript, TypeScript, React, etc., but they’re also a great way to build a portfolio for applications if you need one.
But especially for people like me – who tend to overthink – staring at an empty code editor can feel completely overwhelming. That’s why instead, I regularly do small “learning snacks”: short, manageable units that don’t overload me, but help reinforce what I’ve already learned and give me new inspiration.
Here are my personal tips for bite-sized learning:
Reading & Browsing
I once actually scored some points in a job interview when I said I sometimes read Hacker News. But honestly? That’s not really true. Most of the time I don’t even understand what the articles are about.
With the following blogs, newsletters, and sites, though, it’s a completely different story:
Josh Comeau’s Blog & Newsletter
JavaScript, React, Next.js, CSS – Josh Comeau explains all of this really well, with great teaching style and even at a beginner-friendly level. I subscribe to his newsletter and get excited every time a new issue lands in my inbox. I have to admit: I’ve become a total Josh Comeau fangirl 😍
👉 joshwcomeau.com
freeCodeCamp Blog
In addition to the excellent free courses, freeCodeCamp also has a great blog where the community regularly publishes new articles. The topics are diverse, and the authors have all sorts of different backgrounds. Most of all, the articles are geared toward people who are learning to code, tackling practical problems or summarizing important fundamentals.
👉 freeCodeCamp Blog
MDN Web Docs “Learn”
The MDN Web Docs by Mozilla are my go-to when it comes to web standards. I especially love browsing the “Learn” section and reading the longer overview articles that cover broader topics. They’re a fantastic starting point for digging deeper into the detailed Web Docs – and perfect for skimming through this massive treasure trove of web knowledge.
👉 MDN Learn
Practicing Coding
There are countless platforms and tutorials nowadays offering free or paid programming content. Each has its pros and cons – and most are at least somewhat interactive. But what always frustrates me: when learning starts (or ends) with not even being able to get the demo project running.
That’s why my recommendations below are guaranteed to work without installation struggles! For me, they strike the perfect balance between high-quality content and a level that fits my current knowledge.
Scrimba
Scrimba combines video tutorials with interactive coding sessions. You can click into the video at any point and edit the code directly – perfect for applying what you just learned right away. There are paid courses, but especially lots of free ones. For me, Bob Ziroll’s React courses in particular are an absolute goldmine of knowledge. And yes… once again: huge fan! 😍
👉 scrimba.com
freeCodeCamp Platform
Not just the blog – the platform itself is fantastic. On freeCodeCamp, you can gain comprehensive knowledge in frontend, backend, databases, JavaScript, and more, completely free. The design looks a bit outdated, but the courses are continuously updated – and the community is quick to help if you ever get stuck.For people who struggle with starting out in programming or wonder if they’re even cut out for it (because they’re not 100% obsessed with coding and also have other hobbies), I also recommend the book by freeCodeCamp founder Quincy Larson: How to Learn to Code and Get a Developer Job.
👉 freeCodeCamp
Daily Dose of ChatGPT
YEEESSSS! Of course AI has to be in here 🤖 Even though I’m not usually an early adopter, I have to admit: learning with ChatGPT is genuinely fun for me. For me, it’s a great alternative to platforms like LeetCode or CodeWars, where you practice classic coding challenges often used in job interviews.
The big advantage: you can have a topic explained first, and then ask ChatGPT to create matching exercises. Often, the AI will even suggest different challenges that build on each other in difficulty – or combine new concepts with topics we’ve already “talked” about.
In my personal learning chat, I always feel like: this type of session somehow always fits into the day.
Happy Learning! 🚀
