From Zero to Website: How I Went From Clueless to Creating Projects That Matter

The Beginning: Clueless But Curious

I started college not knowing what HTML, CSS, or even GitHub meant. I was completely new to the world of tech. But the curiosity was there. The journey actually started after my 12th-grade exams, during vacation.

It Started With a Simple Question

Right after results day (grace marks in Chemistry, by the way!), I asked someone I deeply respect:
"Bhai, vacation mein free hoon. Kya sikhun?"

His reply: "Start with HTML. Just watch the tutorials like you’re watching YouTube or Netflix. Don’t stress about understanding it yet."

I followed that advice. Slowly, as I watched lines of code turn into visuals on a web page, something clicked. It was magical.

My First Website

I built my first website — a simple landing page — by following a YouTube video and copy-pasting the code. But that feeling of seeing something live on the screen was unforgettable.

Then College Began…

Enter: Turbo C. Yep, that old C programming software. Honestly? It killed my excitement. I struggled with basic C concepts. My mid-semester marks reflected that.

Falling, Then Rising Again

I went back to my mentor:
"Bhaiya, coding samajh nahi aa raha. Kya karu?"

Again, I turned to YouTube — and this time, something was different. I realized:

"Teaching is the same. What matters is my concentration."

This became my first life rule: Be focused when studying something important.

The Hackathon Phase: Copy-Paste Era

College projects, hackathons, and assignments rolled in. I built things, but let’s be real — most of it was copied from tutorials or ChatGPT prompts. I was building, but I wasn’t learning deeply.

The Turning Point: A Personal Rule

Three months ago, something shifted inside me. I created a second rule that changed everything:

"Never cheat yourself."

I stopped blindly copying. I stopped depending on videos and AI. I challenged myself to build from scratch — and I did.

Adding a Third Rule

During these last three months, I discovered another key truth. My third life rule is:

"You have to build logic by your own. Of course, it will take time — but when it's done, you’ll be proud of yourself."

This mindset has helped me grow from just a learner to a true problem solver.

Now? I Build on My Own

Today, I can proudly say I build websites without tutorials or external help. From concept to deployment — it’s all mine.

Tech Stack I’ve Mastered

• React.js (my strongest skill)

• HTML, CSS, JavaScript

• Next.js

• Python, C, C++

• Git & GitHub

• SQL, DBMS, Operating Systems

Projects I’ve Built

• E-commerce Web App

• AI-Powered Personal Finance Manager

• Habit Builder Platform Inspired by Indian Wisdom

• YouTube Clone

• Netflix GPT

• 20+ Front-End UI/UX Projects

Experience

I’ve also worked as a freelance developer and served as a Software Developer Intern at Demze Technologies.

Key Takeaways

I wasn’t the smartest person in the room. I wasn’t the fastest to learn. But I showed up. Every day. Consistently.

If You're Starting at Zero...

Just begin. Watch one tutorial. Solve one bug. Understand one concept. That’s enough to start.

And then?

Keep going. +++