This week, I focused on three core areas, in this order of priority:
1) HTML
2) C++
3) Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA)

📄 HTML: Escaping Tutorial Hell

I began with the by Sigma Web Development playlist of Code With Harry on YouTube, followed by the HTML playlist from Code Aur Chai. But after a few videos, I hit a wall. I realized I was passively consuming content and not really doing anything, classic tutorial hell.

So I cut the tutorials and jumped into building something small. I followed a simple HTML project tutorial by Dave Gray, which included minimal CSS. And honestly, I learned more from that hands-on project than from hours of tutorials.

I got stuck a few times, and that’s when I leaned on ChatGPT and MDN docs. Here’s my take:

ChatGPT is great for quick, specific doubts.
MDN is more detailed and reliable, but can be overwhelming due to the depth of information.

Here's the project I made:
🔗 Restaurant Menu – GitHub Repository

💻 C++: Cutting Through the Noise

I started learning C++ with Code With Harry’s playlist but found it too long and packed with too many videos. I switched to Chai Aur Code’s C++ playlist, which is more concise and to the point.

So far, I’ve covered:

Basics and syntax
Variables and constants
Data types
Operators
Conditional statements
Loops

No advanced projects yet, just building my foundation.

🧠 DSA: Slow, Steady, and in C++

For DSA, I’m following Striver’s A2Z DSA Sheet via his official site and his YouTube playlist. Right now, I’m working through the basic pattern problems.

Here’s how I’m approaching it:

Try solving the pattern on my own, give it 10–15 minutes.
If I get stuck or hit a dead-end, I’ll watch Striver’s video solution.
Re-implement it afterward without looking.

Since I’m already learning C++, I’m using it for solving DSA problems too. Keeps things consistent.

You can find all the DSA code I’ve practiced so far here:
🔗 DSA GitHub Repository

🛠️ Bonus: Getting Started with GitHub

While working on my HTML project, I also learned the basics of GitHub:

How to create repositories
How to add, edit, and delete files
Basic commit operations

Not a pro yet, but at least I’m not afraid of pushing changes anymore.

📅 Next Week’s Plan

Build a few more HTML projects
Start learning CSS
Complete all 18 videos of Chai Aur Code’s C++ playlist
Continue progressing on Striver’s DSA sheet

Final Thoughts

This week taught me something simple but important: You don’t really learn by watching, you learn by doing.
Tutorials are fine, but unless you build, get stuck, debug, and figure stuff out, you’re just fooling yourself.

My Week of Learning: HTML, C++, and DSA