The End of the Beginning: How a Simple HTML Course Changed Everything

Wow. Today marks the official end of my 16-week whirlwind course, and let me tell you, it has been the craziest, most transformative time of my life. And that’s no exaggeration.

How did it all start? Well, like many great stories, it began by accident. I was just trying to learn some basic HTML and CSS so I could create a little website—a simple blog, or so I thought. Then I stumbled upon this course, which required a short five-day challenge as a taster. I signed up thinking, “Five days? Sure, why not?” I couldn’t put it down. By Sunday afternoon, I’d finished it.

That’s when things got serious. I was accepted onto the course, and I could not wait. Day one was gentle enough, easing me in. But it was sneaky—because by day three, I was hooked, neck-deep in code, and there was no turning back. The excitement kept building. They talked a lot about self-care and learning curves, and oh, they were right about that curve. There’s this bit where you feel like you’re falling off the edge of the world, and then, out of nowhere, you make a massive discovery. It’s like magic. And it happens just as you’re about to give up.

This wasn’t just a solo ride either. My teamies were right there with me, going through the same rollercoaster of emotions. We were like a bunch of kids standing in line for a wild ride we knew was going to be intense but so worth it. And when you reach the end, you’re filled with pride, thinking, “Wowzers! I did it!”

The Support I Didn’t Know I Needed

One of the best parts of this journey was the support. Our cohort leaders were friendly, knowledgeable, and always there with a little nugget of wisdom to pull us back from the edge when we were drowning in errors. I’m really going to miss that environment—the camaraderie, the cheering each other on, the celebrations when someone finally squashes that bug that’s been haunting them for hours.

I thrived in that space, and I realized something important about myself: I love helping others. But not in a “here’s the answer” kind of way. It’s about supporting someone while they work things out, reminding them that the power to solve problems is already within them. They just need to be brave enough to break things, so they can have those breakthrough moments. There’s nothing like it.

What I’ve Learned (Besides Code)

This course wasn’t just about coding, though it sure felt that way at times. It was about collaborating in a fully remote environment, learning how to give and receive feedback, and realizing how crucial it is to stay connected. It was about picking each other up, leaning on each other when we needed it, and celebrating every little win along the way.

And deadlines. Tight deadlines. You know what they say: planning is everything. I learned that the hard way. It’s too easy to get distracted by shiny new features, but in the end, it’s all about getting the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) out the door. Make it work flawlessly, launch it, gather user feedback, and then build on it. You can spend months making what you think is the “best app ever,” only to realize the only person who wants to use it is you. Yep, that hit home. Hard.

But Wait, There’s More

So yeah, the course is technically over. But is it really? No way. I’m a different person now. I’ve always been passionate, but this? This feels like purpose. It’s about solving real-world problems and making a difference. That’s where my heart is now.

But—there’s always a “but,” isn’t there?—the only thing holding me back is myself. I’ve built incredible things, and yet, I’ve been hiding them away like a secret squirrel. Why? Imposter syndrome. The good news is, I’m done with that. It’s time to put myself out there, build my own website, and tell the world, I can do this. No more hiding. No more doubting.

So, what do you want to build? Because I’m ready. I’ve got the tools, I’ve got the knowledge, and I’m more than ready to help you get there too.

Let’s do this. 👩‍💻🚀