Welcome Back to The Insight Letter!
Volume One: Fifth Edition
For those who are new here
Hi, I’m Anisha!
I’m a front end developer and software engineering student, and this newsletter is where I document my learning as I grow through technology, productivity, and life.
I created The Insight Letter as a space to share what I’m discovering throughout my learning journey from studying computer science, mathematics, and engineering, to building better systems, habits, and soft skills for navigating the real world. Some weeks it’s a lesson from university, sometimes it’s a self paced online course, and other times it’s a reflection that changed how I think.
Along the way, I share the insights and approaches that have helped me most so you can pick what resonates, adapt it to your own life, and skip a bit of unnecessary trial and error.
If you enjoy learning alongside someone who’s curious, honest about the process, and focused on growing consistently, you’ll feel at home here.
Welcome back to The Insight Letter!
This week was rather hectic, balancing home responsibilities with my own studies & courses. Between managing tasks and exploring new skills and opportunities, it was a lot to keep on top of.
Even though it felt messy at times, it revealed something important: building capability isn’t just about what you produce, it’s about preparing yourself to handle more:
more work, more complexity, bigger challenges down the line and staying curious when things get tough.
This week was a reminder that steady learning and thoughtful effort now create the foundation for everything that comes next.
The Right Foundation…
With AI changing the landscape of software engineering, it’s easy to worry that traditional roles or skills might disappear.
But while the tasks and tools may shift, the foundation remains the same. Logic, problem-solving, and the ability to learn systematically, these are foundational skills.
That’s why I’m taking the time now to make sure I build my foundation right.
By focusing on core skills, experimenting thoughtfully, and learning deliberately, I’m preparing not just to keep up, but to thrive in the hidden opportunities that don’t currently exist.
Learning new skills often feels slow, frustrating, and sometimes even discouraging. There are moments when you wonder if you started too late or if the effort is worth it. I’ve been there, juggling multiple courses, exploring new tools, and pushing myself to grow even when my energy is low.
If I could go back and give my 16-year-old self some guidance, here are the five things I’d tell her:
1️⃣ Start early. If you’re in high school, start building something you’re passionate about. Share your ideas, engage with a community, and experiment — it doesn’t have to be perfect to be valuable. It may feel like it’s distracting from studies, but with the right time management and focus, the skills you gain will actually boost your academic performance and problem-solving ability.
2️⃣ Say yes to opportunities. Join clubs, take on projects, or try new experiences even if you’re not fully confident yet. Confidence comes from competence, and competence comes from practice.
3️⃣ Build an income stream while learning. It doesn’t need to be big, even a small project from home is enough. It keeps your brain creative, teaches practical skills, and helps you think strategically, which is one of the most valuable skills in today’s AI-driven market.
4️⃣ Focus on foundations first. Don’t skip the hard stuff. The effort you put in now makes future growth easier and accelerates mastery in your field.
5️⃣ Manage your energy, not just your time. Notice which tasks or environments drain you and take steps to protect your focus and wellbeing. Energy is your most valuable resource.
This may sound obvious, but it’s exactly the advice I didn’t follow when I was younger, held back by fear of judgment, uncertainty, and wanting everything to feel “perfect.” Exploring new opportunities, taking risks, and even failing along the way is actually the fastest way to learn. The earlier you start, the more time you have to experiment, absorb lessons, and apply them, and the faster you’ll grow.
Thoughts for the Upcoming Week
This week I’ve been thinking a lot about curiosity, how it drives the way I explore, learn, and grow. Balancing university prep, courses, and personal projects can feel overwhelming, but curiosity is the thread that keeps everything connected. It’s what turns small experiments into meaningful learning and frustration into insight.
Why curiosity matters:
Curiosity isn’t just about asking questions, it’s about letting yourself explore, testing ideas, and giving yourself permission to be wrong. It’s been key to how I approach building skills, tackling challenges, and discovering what I truly enjoy.
3 ways to practice curiosity:
1️⃣ Follow what excites you. If something sparks interest, spend time on it, even if it seems unrelated to your main goals. Notice exactly why it excites you and see how you can apply that energy to things you might not enjoy as much.
2️⃣ Ask “why” constantly. Don’t just accept processes without thinking, dig into why things work, what could be better, and how you could do it differently. This helps with just starting: it won’t be perfect at first, but curiosity makes it better through iteration.
3️⃣ Experiment with low stakes. Try small side projects, courses, or ideas without pressure for perfection. The point is to explore, learn, and discover patterns in what works for you.
A lesson from this week:
I spent a few hours experimenting with different income stream opportunities and seeing how they align with the way I think and what energises me. What felt like “wasted time” at first ended up being one of the most valuable parts of my week.
Curiosity is also why I’d tell my younger self to start early, explore more, and experiment without fear, because small discoveries compound into real growth.
A question I’m thinking about this week
Over the last week, I’ve been asking myself where I need to focus my energy most so I can get the highest returns and strengthen my foundation.
If you want to try it too, here’s what I’m reflecting on:
1️⃣ What skill or habit am I putting off because it feels slow or uncomfortable?
For me, it’s putting all my energy into completing the courses I’m currently doing, while being mindful of upcoming responsibilities from both university and home.
Feeling stuck or slow doesn’t mean you’re not making progress. It’s more like stretching a muscle that hasn’t been used in a while, uncomfortable in the moment, but necessary to get stronger and ready for bigger challenges ahead.
Wishing you a week of growth and momentum!
Kind Regards,
