[D] How to break free from LLM's chains as a PhD student?

Reddit r/MachineLearning / 4/6/2026

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Key Points

  • A PhD student says they have become overreliant on ChatGPT for coding and worries it may leave them with “fake” skills after graduation.

I didn't realize but over a period of one year i have become overreliant on ChatGPT to write code, I am a second year PhD student and don't want to end up as someone with fake "coding skills" after I graduate. I hear people talk about it all the time that use LLM to write boring parts of the code, and write core stuff yourself, but the truth is, LLMs are getting better and better at even writing those parts if you write the prompt well (or at least give you a template that you can play around to cross the finish line). Even PhD advisors are well convinced that their students are using LLMs to assist in research work, and they mentally expect quicker results. I am currently trying to cope with imposter syndrome because my advisor is happy with my progress. But deep down I know that not 100% of it is my own output. I have started feeling like LLMs have tied my hands so tightly that I can't function without them.

What would be some strategies to reduce the dependency on LLM for work?

submitted by /u/etoipi1
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