I think the best use in studying patterns and approaches is thinking about where they are applicable and where they aren't and reflecting that on what you've do

I think the best use in studying patterns and approaches is thinking about where they are applicable and where they aren't and reflecting that on what you've done. You can't really use architectural patterns as shortcuts before you've accumulated enough experience to internalise their requirements and caveats, but just knowing about them gives your brain more to work with when you design systems, allowing you to think more broadly.