I just finished my first project in the JS path of TOP and feel pretty good about where I am in my journey. While there are still/always going to areas I need to improve on, overall I am happy with my current standing.
I was able to improve on how I plan for and approach new projects by breaking down each problem to it simplest form. With the help of StackOverlow and ChatGPT, I was able to find the answers I didn't have myself and learn why those answers worked so that I, hopefully, will not need them as much in the future. This being the thought process I have whenever I come a across an issue I can't think through on my own. If I am seeking the answer to a problem then my goal is to find the most efficient/correct answer, and why that answer is best for the current problem, so that I will be able to get it own in the future.
I am trying to be hyper aware of my reliance on tools like StackOverflow and ChatGPT, while I am still learning. I do think that AI based tools will be standard for developers going forward, I don't want to be reliant on them to do everything. Therefore I am putting an emphasis having these resources be something I only use after I am sure I can not come to a conclusion on my own.
After reading the book, "Make It Stick" by Peter C. Brown, I have a new appreciation/understanding of how the learning process works. One of the more important take-a-ways being that the struggle to recall information strengthens it. Assuming you do get the answer eventually, that information will last longer because of the effort you put into trying to recall. It's that recall process that solidifies what you learned previously.
Knowing this, I want to be able to achieve this as organically as possible each time. I don't think this recall process solidifies the information as well when you have to be given the answer, like with ChatGPT. However, if you spend too much time spinning-your-wheels and getting frustrated then I think it's best to get your answer. Even when you are given the answer, its often not completely accurate and needs to be tweaked to fit your current needs. Requiring you too think through another problem, even if that new problem isn't as cumbersome.
At the end of the day, these AI tools are here to stay and I just have to find a way to make the most of them while also making sure they don't hinder my development in the process.
Overall, I believe I am doing a good job at finding that balance.
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