Foundations Reflection

05/07/24

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

I can do it, and I am capable. I know I have a lot of self doubt and coming into this course I was in a dark place. Learning more about how I learn and adding more tools to my arsenal to help me accomplish what I set out to do. A big part of my journey so far has been reflecting. Being forced to take the time and look back on what I have done and see the good, the bad and the ugly. Forcing myself to take a hard look at what I think I am and seeing the difference to what I actually am.

One of my bigger discoveries is; My ego can be put aside. I might think of myself in a certain way but doing something completely new for the first time has reminded me its okay to learn and be bad and fail. I don't have to be the complete package yet, It's all about loving the process. That's what builds better systems.

I am also a bit scared of things as well. More than I want to believe I am. That has been something human skills has shown me is okay and can be overcome. Taking moments to plan my learning, my wellness and to meditate really helps lock my mind in and feel more strong and help myself to do that which I find scary but will help me in the long-term.

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

They help to structure your mind. They guide you on your journey through the ups and downs for the process of learning and programming. The empathy you give both yourself and the work you do allows a healthy relationship of building knowledge and skills as well as giving you space to be human and grow. Whether that's through having a frustrating task stop you so you ask for help, Growing to be self-aware to not be blinded by pride and ask for that help. Or you find something that you thought was going to be challenging ends up to be easy and you can give yourself the space to be happy and see the journey you have been on. Being true to the values you hold and growing new ones along the way.

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

Having time set to learn about myself and seek to reflect on how I work was a really wonderful process. Having to look at myself along side doing a whole new skill in programming helped me understand more about myself than I ever thought I would from this bootcamp. It is important to be kind to one another and it's an important skill for the world and workplace.

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

Actually taking the time to reflect on myself. Seeing myself in new light was actually more tough than I originally thought it would be. Thinking on myself and my goals took up a lot of mental space but was challenging to turn my thoughts on to the page (or blog post in this case) It was rewarding skill to learn about.

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

Because we are all human. Working together in life is super important and necessary to achieve things. Human skills is a helping hand for the workforce we are about to join. It's been a nice way to also interact with my fellow cohort in this online environment. Knowing that there are other people doing the exact same thing as I am is really comforting.

Does the time you spent studying Human Skills learning here feel like a waste of time?

No. I have gained so much from spending the time reflecting and thinking. It has helped me to code better and be a better human being. I have enjoyed it. Its a core part of a balanced learning experience.

Should you have just used that time to practise programming instead? Justify your answer.

We had really tough challenges. I think being able to take a break and look at what we have done was help to the whole process of learning. Actually coding helps but after the really hard challenges it was nice to force myself to break and take time to see what I had done and analyse it. It was useful to the whole learning experience and I think if I was just programming the whole time I would be burnt out and sizzled by now. Not taking in the learning and instead just trying to make it through. I support human skills they are important to being human within every we do.

Sam.