Ferdinand Guiang – Learning HTML & CSS During the Pandemic

Dive: Coder - HTML/CSS
Description: Knows how to code using HTML/CSS
Level: Level 1
Level Requirements: Can code in HTML/CSS at a basic level
Certified On: May 29, 2021

Editor’s Note: On all dive certifications, we try to edit the writing as little as possible to preserve authenticity, personality, and writing style. We typically fix spelling errors, but minimally modify grammar and sentence structure (just enough to ensure readability).

Name: Ferds Guiang Break Diving Level: Recruit Number of Certified Dives: 1 From: Philippines In: Philippines

1. When and Why Did You Decide to Pursue This Dive At This Level? What was your inspiration and motivation?

I aim to become a competent web developer and coder and from what I’ve been reading I think it’s best to start with HTML and CSS. Technology has fascinated me ever since I was in college and I kept this dream to one day learn how to code because I sort of want to be taking part in the Internet world as an “actor” and not merely as a spectator. Furthermore, I love learning something new and in a dynamic way and I think web development is one of the best ways to do that. Lastly, I’d love to take part in the creator/passion economy, and learning a programming language is one of the great ways to be able to create and contribute to the world.

2. How Long Did It Take For You To Accomplish This Dive At This Level From The Day You Decided To Pursue It, And Why Did It Take That Long?

It took me less than 2 weeks to finish the HTML and CSS tutorials at W3schools. But I have to admit that I took some lessons before through other tutorials. That’s why it took much faster for me to finish the lessons. However, there is just so much to take in and I still have to practice what I’ve learned. So I plan to apply what I learned so these lessons will be more ingrained in my mind otherwise I risk forgetting much of what I studied.

3. What Was The Hardest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

The hardest part about Level 1 is solving the exercises at the end of each W3 schools tutorial. I say this because as a beginner I was tasked to remember a lot of code about how to make things appear on the webpage. And it’s not like the things we need to encode are those that we’ve encountered before. These are totally new concepts to me. And the thing is if we don’t review and practice, we easily forget them.

4. What Was The Easiest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

The easiest part is to learn the basic HTML codes that will organize the structure of the web page. These are just a few “elements” that we can commit to memory right away. And since they are basic elements then every time we start creating a web page we have to write these elements. Also adding a few CSS elements is quite easy especially when we want to change the background, font, size, and some margins.

5. What Is Your Advice For Someone Who Is Pursuing This Dive And Level?

My advice is to study, repeat, practice – rinse and repeat. The more we do these steps the better we get because we get to see the effect on the web page instantly and this reinforces learning. The act of typing the codes will help a lot in memorizing the required HTML while the inclusion of CSS elements further imprints the many commands on our brain. This is a skill and like most skills, the more we practice, the better we get.

6. What Are Some Of The Best Resources You Recommend to Those Pursuing This Dive At This Level, And Why Do You Recommend Them? Please Include Relevant Weblinks, If Applicable.

I used 4 great resources – W3schools, Freecodecamp, Codecademy, and the Mozilla Development Network lessons. The Mozilla lessons are great in explaining the concepts and theories behind the HTML and CSS commands. The W3schools are great in seeing the code in practice and the ease of use. Freecodecamp and Codecademy are great to reinforce the codes thru quick feedback.

Resource 1: Break Diving's H.A.C.K.ers Group - Come and join this supportive group here at Break Diving.

Resource 2: W3Schools - A great place to learn all things coding.

Resource 3: Free Code Cam-p - Many people get started here.

Resource 4: CodEcademy - They have both free and paid options.

Resource 5: Mozilla Developer Network - Learn about HTML here.

7. Tell Us A Story Of One Of Your Adventures While Pursuing This Dive (At This Level).

My journey learning HTML and CSS at the basic level started a few months ago but the intention to start learning was already around 5 years earlier. That was how long I’ve really wanted to learn web development and programming.

I remember trying my hand a couple of times. The first time I enrolled, I took up a Python tutorial at Coursera. I figured it was a great way to start. But lo and behold, as I watched the lessons the harder and harder it got and I eventually gave up.

Then I stumbled upon Codecademy and began anew. It was a very user-friendly tutorial. But I can’t remember at what point did I cease finishing the course. I think the main reason I stopped was that it was difficult for me to follow through due to an erratic schedule because I had a full-time job back then.

Then the pandemic happened. I discovered I had more time on my hands because my wife had to work from home which means I had at least 3 hours to spend studying. That was when I told myself that it was now or never so late last year I began Freecodecamp and the Mozilla tutorial.

Earlier this year I had a chance to join a free online coding bootcamp and although it was not suited for total beginners, the experience of being self-taught and working remotely with a team further strengthened my resolve to be a competent web developer.

After the bootcamp, I searched for a way to practice my new skills and that was when I chanced upon Break Diving. I quickly joined the community because it also aligned with my values and desire to help others find meaning in their lives. I hope that soon I will move on from HTML and CSS and become a skillful developer sooner rather than later. It’s never too late to learn new stuff.

8. What Evidence Did You Submit to Prove You Met the Requirements for This Dive and Level?

I have submitted the answers to the coding challenges in HTML and CSS for new volunteers for the Break Diving coding team. I also fully completed the HTMLa nd CSS tutorials, exercises, and quizzes on W3Schools for HTML and CSS.

9. Will You Be Pursuing The Next Level For This Dive? If Yes, Why? If Not, Why Not?

Definitely I will be pursuing the next level until I get to the highest level because this is required to be a professional web developer. It would be pointless to stop at the basic level. There are a lot more tricks and commands I have to learn. Frontend development can be a profession all by itself and the more skillful I get in HTML and CSS then the better chances for me to be a professional web development and make a career out of it.

10. What is the Break Diver's Creed?

No Rules. No Excuses. No Regrets.

Certificate photo:

And having made this post, and provided adequate evidence to the dive committee, Ferds Guiang is now hereby certified by Break Diving, Inc. as: Coder - HTML/CSS - Level 1. Congratulations ! Thank you for being an inspiration to others!

Certificate number: 81

The author above wrote this WYSEguidance post as one of the certification requirements to become certified by Break Diving, Inc. for a dive completed. Would you also like to find greater success, happiness, and friendship, and make genuine supportive connections with others around the world pursuing your same dreams? Come join us at Break Diving and soon your story will be the next one you read about on this site!

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