Myths of Genius, Fear of... everything

I recently found myself struggling with a great deal of anxiety centered around my career as a software developer.  So much so, in fact, that I began to research what it was I was feeling.  I discovered a great deal about the nature of my fears and doubts, and I hope that sharing my circumstances and introspection here might prove just as valuable to readers as my usual technology related posts.

Microsoft 70-487: Query and manipulate data by using the Entity Framework

Exam Objectives

Query, update, and delete data by using DbContext; build a query that uses deferred execution; implement lazy loading and eager loading; create and run compiled queries; query data by using Entity SQL; perform asynchronous operations using Entity Framework; map a stored procedure

Quick Overview of Training Materials

Exam Ref 70-487 - Chapter 2.1
[MSDN] Query Execution
[MSDN] Entity Framework Loading Related Entities
[MSDN] Compiled Queries (LINQ to Entities)
[MSDN] How to: Execute a Parameterized Entity SQL Query Using EntityCommand
[MSDN] Write SQL Queries for Entities
[MSDN] Async Query & Save (EF6 onwards)
[MSDN] Stored Procedures in the Entity Framework (2011), (video)
[MSDN] Code First Insert/Update/Delete Stored Procedures
[StackOverflow] using stored procedure in entity framework
[StackOverflow] How to call Stored Procedure in Entity Framework 6 (Code-First)?

PluralSight Courses:
Getting Started With EF6, EF in the Enterprise

Microsoft 70-487: Query and manipulate data by using ADO.NET

Exam Objectives

Query and manipulate data by using Connection, DataReader, Command, DataAdapter, DataSet; perform synchronous and asynchronous operations; manage transactions (API)

Quick Overview of Training Materials

Exam Ref 70-487 - Chapter 2.4
ADO.NET Architecture (video)
Understanding ADO.NET Disconnected Model (video)
Explain ADO.NET Connection pooling (video)

ADO.NET Step by step (webcast videos): DataViews, DataAdapter, DataSet, DataCommand, DbConnection, Transactions, Editing Data
[MSDN] Typed vs. Untyped DataSets

Pluralsight:
ADO.NET Fundamentals, ADO.NET by Example

Code Samples:
My ADO.NET Examples on GitHub

Note that the QuestPond video (connection pooling) is basically the exact same video as the section from the ADO.NET Fundamentals Pluralsight course, and the Understanding Disconnected Model video is by the author of the ADO.NET by Example Pluralsight course and covers part of the same material.  I'm thinking you can find all of the material from both of these courses on YouTube if you look...