Science & Technology

one year of studying (it was a mistake)

by Jeffrey Codes

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📚 Main Topics

  1. Initial Motivation and Shift in Focus

    • Transition from web development to AI and machine learning.
    • Encountered challenges with advanced math and programming concepts.
  2. Mathematics Learning

    • Engaged with various math topics, including linear algebra and discrete math.
    • Realized the importance of practical application over passive learning.
    • Utilized Math Academy for structured learning and skill assessment.
  3. Computer Science Fundamentals

    • Explored low-level programming and hardware concepts.
    • Took courses on database internals and algorithms.
    • Emphasized the importance of practical exercises and projects for retention.
  4. Data Engineering

    • Applied data engineering concepts directly in the workplace.
    • Recommended the book "Designing Data-Intensive Applications" for its comprehensive overview.
  5. Machine Learning and AI

    • Studied various algorithms and frameworks, noting the shift from TensorFlow to PyTorch.
    • Acknowledged the need for hands-on experience in machine learning.

✨ Key Takeaways

  • Active Learning is CrucialWatching lectures or reading books is not enough; practical application is necessary to truly understand and retain knowledge.
  • Focus on ProjectsInstead of scattering efforts across multiple topics, concentrate on specific projects that challenge and expand your skills.
  • Balance Theory and PracticeWhile theoretical knowledge is important, it should be complemented with practical exercises to solidify understanding.

🧠 Lessons Learned

  • Avoid OverwhelmTrying to learn too many disparate topics at once can lead to confusion and lack of depth in any one area.
  • Set Clear GoalsDefine specific projects or outcomes to guide learning efforts and maintain focus.
  • Iterative LearningStart with simpler problems and gradually tackle more complex challenges to build confidence and competence.

🏁 Future Plans

  • Shift towards a project-focused approach for the upcoming year, aiming to create tangible outputs and share insights through video content.
  • Continue to explore and learn in a structured manner, ensuring that each new skill is applied in practical scenarios.

Transcript excerpt

0:00 I spent a lot of the last year studying math computer science and all sorts of academic things and while this is really interesting and things that I think will be useful throughout my career I think it was a mistake it was not the best use of my time in this video I'm going to go over what I learned what I studied and most importantly what I would do next time if I could start over so it was November 2023 a little over a year ago when

0:30 I decided I was bored with web development I wanted to do something different and I thought ai ai sounds great and so I picked up a couple books this one uh deep learning so turns out it is a graduate level math textbook and I did not have the preparation for that this one is pretty great uh it required a little more math than I had that was

1:00 reasonable and uh also required uh pandas numpy a bunch of python stuff so I bounced off of that a little bit and both these together set off my journey of learning this journey lasted a little over a year and I made a lot of mistakes which you can now learn from so let's go over what I learned so uh first I learned a bunch of math and that's because I was so shocked when I read these books that I was like wow there's

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Questions & Answers

Common questions about this video

Why did the speaker decide to study math and computer science over the past year?

The speaker was bored with web development and wanted to do something different, so they decided to study math and computer science to expand their knowledge and skills.

What was the speaker's experience with learning deep learning from textbooks?

The speaker found deep learning textbooks to be graduate-level and challenging, requiring more math than they had prepared for, which led to bouncing off the material and realizing the need for more foundational knowledge.

According to the speaker, what is a common misconception about learning math through courses and lectures?

The speaker explains that watching courses and lectures can give a false sense of understanding, as you might think you know the material but lack the actual ability to solve problems or apply the concepts without doing exercises.

What resource did the speaker find most effective for truly understanding math concepts?

The speaker recommends Math Academy's courses, such as Mathematics for Machine Learning, which include quizzes and level-up questions to ensure deep understanding and skill development.

Why does the speaker believe that studying advanced math is not always the best use of time for software engineers working with AI?

Because 99% of the time in AI work, software engineers are not building or directly using the math behind models, so focusing heavily on advanced math may not be the most practical use of their time.

What approach does the speaker suggest for learning algorithms and coding problems effectively?

The speaker suggests starting with easy problems, learning tricks, then progressing to harder ones, treating it like a puzzle game, which makes learning more engaging and effective.

What does the speaker plan to do differently in the next year to improve their learning process?

The speaker plans to focus on project-based learning, doing one project per month that stretches their skills, and sharing their progress to solidify knowledge and avoid scattered, unfocused studying.

What is the main lesson the speaker learned from their year of studying?

The main lesson is that actively producing and applying knowledge through projects and exercises is crucial for truly understanding and retaining what you learn, rather than just consuming information passively.

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