HTML and CSS experience comes in handy for a number of reasons. Of course, a lot of it depends on what you want to achieve with the code.
Some people are interested in familiarizing themselves with the world of coding and are not too serious about the whole thing. In other words, they wish to treat it as a hobby.
Then there are those who would like to give coding a try and even turn it into a career. If so, it makes sense to have the right attitude and a plan before you start learning.
Let’s take a look at 6 key things that you want to emphasize on your journey of mastering HTML and CSS.
Learn the Basics
Starting with the fundamentals is generally a good approach. Since you are a newbie, you will need to start from somewhere, and the basics are necessary to build a solid foundation.
Unless you know the fundamentals, you should not expect to crack HTML or any other type of code, for that matter.
Once you are done with the basics, you will also have an easier time determining how much you want to invest in learning.
Create Milestones
Having milestones is another great piece of advice. It helps to find motivation when you know exactly what you want to pursue.
Some people might find it better to create smaller goals instead of setting out for ones that are too big and, to a certain extent, too difficult to reach.
Setting out and achieving smaller goals gives you an actual sense of accomplishment as you cross them off the list. For example, instead of a grandiose project from scratch, why not tell yourself that you will learn a specific piece of code or try to practice solving simple code bugs.
Take Advantage of Learning Resources
It would be a waste not to take advantage of all the available sources to learn to code. Since HTML and CSS are so popular, you can find a plethora of different courses on YouTube and platforms like Udemy and Skillshare.
There are also coding-specific communities that share various pieces of advice, starting from the very basics to complex stuff.
Of course, you can also take a more traditional approach and get physical books. Writing code on a piece of paper also helps with its memorization.
Overall, though, using available tutorials online is usually the go-to method to learn, and coding is not an exception.
The important takeaway is that you have access to more than enough learning material that is both free and requires payment.
Try to Learn Every Day
Depending on your day job and other circumstances, you might not have that much time to dedicate to coding. Nevertheless, as a rule of thumb, it is recommended to do your best and try to code a little bit every day.
Sitting down and spending as little as half an hour or so every day will keep you on your toes. If you skip too much of your learning, you are likely going to lose interest and abandon the idea. And such a thing does not sound too great, particularly if you aspire to become good at HTML and CSS.
In case things get boring because you are stuck doing the same things over and over, introduce a little bit of variety.
Instead of writing your own code, read other people’s code or watch tutorials explaining some more complicated details. Getting a sense of what more advanced CSS and HTML feel like will give you something to look forward to in the future and continue learning.
Take a Break When You Need
Having said all that about learning every day, it is also important to note that you need to take breaks. Some people get into coding so much that they lose track of time and fail to stand up and walk away from the computer for even a few minutes.
If you are good at keeping track of your time, create a schedule that does not put too much strain on your body while you are coding. And if you are not, get time-tracking tools that will send you alerts to take a break.
Use the Right Tools for Work
The last bit of advice is about getting the right tools for your work as a coder. Keeping in mind that you are going to be spending a lot of time in front of a computer monitor sitting, make sure that you get a comfortable chair for your back.
Next, consider what keyboard you want. Membrane and mechanical keyboards are the most popular right now, each with its pros and cons.
Finally, the computer itself. Even though HTML and CSS do not require high-end systems, it is still important to keep the computer in good condition to avoid performance issues.
From having a reliable uninstaller app and anti-malware tools that you use regularly, to maintaining the computer’s desktop clutter-free and quitting redundant background processes, you can ensure an optimal device performance and not worry as much about potential issues while you are working on your code.