I've been learning Django for about three months and have managed to create some pretty cool projects, like web apps with user authentication, real-time features, and API integrations. However, I rely heavily on AI to help me code—probably around 80-90%. I can understand and debug code but struggle to write anything from scratch. Is this normal for beginners in 2024? I'm concerned that I'm not truly learning to code and that this dependence on AI might hurt me in the long run, especially during technical interviews. I'm also dealing with imposter syndrome; I often feel like I'm cheating when I show off my projects because I didn't write most of the code myself. I'm seeking advice from experienced developers, self-taught coders, and hiring managers about how this AI-assisted learning path might affect my future in coding. Should I focus on traditional learning methods, or is it okay to embrace this new approach?
1 Answer
You're definitely not alone in this! A lot of us felt the same when we first started learning. The key is to recognize your strengths and challenge yourself. Try to code without AI assistance from time to time; it’ll help build your confidence and skills. Remember, understanding the code is half the battle. Don’t stress too much about being a 'fraud.' You're learning and evolving, which is what matters.
Thanks for the encouragement! I think I will try to push myself a bit more. It's great to hear that everyone's been through a similar struggle.