You don't need to buy expensive courses to start programming

Imagine you want to learn Laravel. You're excited about the possibilities — building web applications, launching your own projects, maybe even getting a job as a developer. But then you start looking at online courses, and the prices make you hesitate. Do you really need to spend hundreds of dollars just to get started?

The truth is, you don’t. You can teach yourself Laravel — or any framework — without expensive courses, and you can do it in a way that’s even more effective.

Start with a Goal

Before diving into syntax and tutorials, think about what you actually want to build. A pet project is the best way to learn because it gives you a reason to keep going. Maybe you want to create a small blog, or e-commerce store, think about it. Whatever it is, having a goal makes your learning process more focused and enjoyable. What I strongly don’t recommend is taking as a project to-do lists, calculators and so on, from my point of view it’s useless, you won’t be able to learn from such small projects well enough.

Once you have an idea, you need to figure out how to bring it to life. That’s where choosing the right tech stack comes in. If you’re learning Laravel, you’ll need PHP, a database like MySQL, and some frontend knowledge. Instead of getting lost in theory, start with the essentials – just enough to begin coding.

Learn by Doing

The best way to learn is not by watching hours of video lectures but by actually writing code. Laravel’s documentation is one of the best out there, and it’s completely free. Read through it, experiment with code, and build small features one by one.

At some point, you might get stuck or wonder, Am I doing this the right way? That’s where open-source projects become invaluable.

Find Inspiration in Open Source Projects

GitHub is full of Laravel projects created by experienced developers. Find projects similar to yours, study their structure, and see how different parts of the application are built. You’ll start noticing patterns – how controllers are written, how models interact with databases, and how developers handle authentication or APIs.

But don’t just copy code blindly. Not all solutions are good ones. Learn to filter right from wrong, understand best practices, and critically analyze the code you read. This is what truly sets self-taught developers apart—the ability to question, refine, and improve.

The Power of Code Reviews

One of the fastest ways to improve as a developer is to have someone review your code. If you can, find a coding partner or a mentor who can give you feedback. It doesn’t have to be a formal setup – a friend who’s more experienced, an online coding buddy, or even a community where you can post your code for review can make a huge difference.

Programming is a journey, and like any journey, it's best taken step by step. If you try to learn everything at once, you’ll feel overwhelmed. Instead, break your goal into small milestones. Each feature you build, each bug you fix, and each concept you master adds up. It’s like eating an elephant – one bite at a time.

Using AI to Learn Faster

AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot have made learning even easier. If you’re stuck on a problem, you can ask AI for explanations, code snippets, or alternative solutions. But AI is a tool, not a replacement for understanding. Always review the generated code and make sure you know why it works.

Where to Invest Money Wisely

If you’re going to spend money on your education, make it count. Instead of buying generic courses that give you pre-recorded videos, invest in mentorship. A good mentor can give you feedback, guide you through complex concepts, and accelerate your learning in ways that a course never could.

If mentorship isn’t an option, look for courses that offer real interaction – where you can ask questions, submit assignments, and get personalized feedback. And don’t underestimate the value of communities. Joining a developer group, whether online or in person, can expose you to new ideas, help you solve problems faster, and keep you motivated.

Read, Explore, Experiment

Books are another great resource, but don't just passively read them. Find the most interesting sections, dive deeper by researching them online, and implement those ideas in your projects. The real learning happens when you take a concept and turn it into working code.

The World is Open – Use It

The internet has made learning easier than ever. You have access to free documentation, open-source projects, forums, communities, AI tools, and experienced developers willing to help. If you use these resources wisely, you can learn programming faster and more effectively than any expensive course could teach you.

So don’t let high prices hold you back. Set a goal, start coding, engage with the community, and use every free resource available to you. The only thing standing between you and becoming a great programmer is your willingness to start.