Foundations Reflection

What are three new things you have learnt about yourself and your ego due to the Human Skills learning?

The three new things I have learnt about myself and my ego is that I am more buoyant than I thought, I tend to underestimate my ability to adapt to new challenges, and I have the tendency to be overly critical of myself, which can sometimes block my progress. I know that I have a lot to learn yet I couldn't be nice and patient with myself and I would get frustrated when I didn't understand something right away. My ego sometimes got in the way of my learning and development. For example, I have a tendency to want to prove myself and show that I am capable, which can lead me to take on too much at once or avoid asking for help when I need it.

What are the role of values, empathy, and self-awareness in learning and programming?

The role of values, empathy, and self-awareness in learning and programming is to provide a foundation for effective collaboration, problem-solving, and personal growth. Empathy allows us to understand and connect with others, fostering teamwork and better communication, however I had a hard time practising this since this style of learning is very new to me and I still feel weird going on discord and asking for help on the channel. Self-awareness helps us recognize our strengths and weaknesses, enabling us to continuously improve and adapt to challenges. I think I'm slowly getting good at this but I still have a long way to go.

What has surprised you the most about the Human Skills learning?

That how important it is to have a good understanding of your own values and how they affect your decisions and actions. I have also learnt that empathy is a key component of effective communication and collaboration, and that self-awareness is essential for personal growth and development. I have also been surprised by how much I have enjoyed the Human Skills learning, and how it has helped me to develop a greater understanding of myself and others around me.

What were the most challenging aspects of the Human Skills learning?

The most challenging aspects of the Human Skills learning were confronting my own biases and assumptions, as well as learning to manage my emotions effectively in stressful situations or problem solving. I found it difficult to be vulnerable and open with my peers, These challenges required a lot of self-reflection and effort to overcome, but they are gradually helping me grow as an individual. I always found that things like journaling or writing down thoughts and feelings to be a bit of a chore and weird, I never really understood the point of it and I thought it was a waste of time. I never really liked it but I'm starting to realise it's usefulness. I have found that journaling has helped me to process my thoughts and feelings, and to gain a better understanding of myself. Better late than never I guess.

Why do you think we, a programming school, are spending so much time focusing on Human Skills learning in a web development Bootcamp course?

A programming school focuses on Human Skills learning because technical skills alone are not enough to succeed in the industry. Effective communication, teamwork, empathy, and self-awareness are crucial for collaborating with others, understanding client needs, and solving complex problems. These skills help create a positive work environment and ensure that developers can adapt to challenges, work well in teams, and build meaningful connections with colleagues and clients.

Does the time you spent studying Human Skills learning here feel like a waste of time? Should you have just used that time to practise programming instead?

Not at all. The time spent studying Human Skills learning does not feel like a waste of time. While technical skills are essential, Human Skills are equally important for becoming a well-rounded developer. These skills have helped me improve my communication (maybe not with my classmates yet but has helped my personal relationships) and problem-solving abilities, which are critical in real-world programming environments. Balancing both technical and human skills ensures that I am better prepared to collaborate effectively and adapt to challenges in my career. I'm glad I got an opportunity to study about Human skills. I had no idea how important they were until I started learning about it.