subz-gpu/MERN ? reverse-engineered prompt

Build me a simple MERN stack practice repo for my lab programs.

I want it to be easy to run and understand, with a couple of small example projects in it, like one for a presidency style app and one for a university style app. Keep the code clean and beginner friendly, and make sure the main CRUD flow works so I can add, view, edit, and delete records without trouble.

If anything is unclear, make reasonable choices and keep the setup simple. Use current best practices, and if you need to check the latest docs online, go ahead. Please also include clear run instructions so I can start the app and test each program quickly.