Practice makes practice
Here are a few more questions posed to us to help prepare for how an interview may go.
How do you describe the feeling of imposter syndrome? When does it affect you the most? Why?
Imposter syndrome is that voice in your head telling you to give up and do something else. Maybe go play that game you’d rather play, because it’s easier than failing at the task at hand. For me I’m affected while I struggle with a new concept. Learning something that takes trial and error is uncomfortable and it’s much easier to to do things that are fun or things that trigger that dopamine reaction from your brain without struggle.
What have you learned about the tech world that you are happy to know?
The main thing I have learned is that there is no right way to learn a new skill. Everyone has as different way of learning and a different way of doing things, and in coding you can often accomplish a task many different ways. I’m happy to know that others have struggled where I struggle, but were able to push through with trial and error and a little help from Google.
Why is the way we talk to ourselves in our inner mind so important? What effect can it have on our well-being?
Your inner monologue narrates everything you do, so if that person is negative it affects your outlook in a negative way. If you are constantly telling yourself to give up or that things are too hard, you won’t be able to find the motivation to push through the really tough challenges. Taking a positive tone with yourself is just a kinder way to live and will help you through struggles but also through the day to day.
What about this course is challenging you the most? How do you think you are growing through it?
The most challenging thing for me has been to take the concepts we learn and apply them in a more complex situation. I understand Flex and its concepts, but when I apply it to a full website and there are other styles and things affecting the webpage it can be frustrating when things don’t cooperate. I think this is helping me grow how I learn. Learning through failure is a hard concept and not one I think is taught to us at a young age. Trying to progress through your hardships is a skill important to this industry.
How has podcast listening influenced the way you think?
Before I started the class I was an avid podcast listener, so naturally I sought out podcasts for new coders. I have found that they often preach the same basic principles like having a positive inner monologue, trial and error, and pushing though the failures to reach your goal. They have taught me not to feel as along in my struggles and that there is always a community out there to help. I hope to find ones that I can relate to on a more personal level when I am further into this course.
What has your spare time looked like in comparison to what it looked like a year ago?
A year ago my spare time was spent out in the real world like everyone else. Now on lockdown I am spending more time in front of the computer and this is helpful for practice but also slightly distracting. I am trying to separate my workstation from the place I play games so I feel like they don’t conflict. I am slowly transitioning spare time away from games and more towards helpful practice but with things that interest me. So hopefully I can find more practice games, or maybe strive to make my own!
