I solved math.

[Dory]

So 3 weeks ago I was in shambles. I could figure out biology because that was simply a bunch of facts you have to grasp, and every monkey can read them and understand them. (I do give myself too little credit here-- I've practically mastered 2 very huge volume books.)

However, I still had minimal math knowledge. How minimal? Laughably minimal. Kids at 1st grade could point and laugh at me... division and multiplications, even simple ones, I couldn't do without a calculator, and everything past arithmetic was hell. My math was shit. I felt stuck. Afraid. I was never good at math. Numbers always scared me, mixed in my head... I always thought I maybe math-dyslexic or something, and I tended to shy away from it. But the advanced knowledge of chemistry I'm trying to attain simply required more and more math. It became clear to me how inevitably interconnected are the sciences, and how important is math to the understand of all.

There was a short moment of desperation. But then... it came up to me. Hey....I got 16 free hours a day. I'm stuck without math. I got biology wrapped. What else can I do? Masturbate? Jesus... I've self-studied English to the point of Shakespearean knowledge, I've self-studied biology, and heck-- lots of religious fucks I know that are absolute morons can figure this shit up. Let's take up the fucking challenge. So... with little choice and a whole bunch of uncanny ridiculous amount of unmitigated enthusiasm. I went ahead, and so one morning... 3 weeks ago, I took a little notebook, and wrote 1+1....it's now only 3 weeks later and I've now worked out geometry, including Pythagorean Theorem and Heron's Formula. I am currently working on Trigonometry and advanced algebra. And I'm pressing on at full speed, not planning to stop anywhere.

True story. Chicks can do math! Okay, fine, I got the brain circuitry of a guy. Chicks still can't do math

Take that, life!

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Something about this just doesn't add up.

[camoguard]

Congratulations.

[mistermack]

You should learn to divide your time better.

[GenesForLife]

so that your productivity is multiplied.

[camoguard]

Don't be a squared.

[Horwood Beer-Master]

I solved maths.

[Dory]

hahah

[JimC]

Excellent, Dory!

Any time you get stuck on a concept or a problem, post here and I'll have a go at helping you! Good to see a self-starter!

[Dory]

I'll take you up on that, JimC

[Dory]

So far advancing really well in my algebra. No trouble at all. Everything is surprisingly a piece of cake.

[Ronja]

Great to hear, Dory! Go for it!

Even though I today am ecstatic that I likely never will have to study math or formal logic again in my life, I can see the basic usefulness of all the 30 credits (+ 10 credits of logic) that they crammed down our throats. It's just their teaching methods and choice of textbooks / other material that mostly stunk. Math is cool in itself, but teachers who don't bother to really teach should be shot. (And Jim, this is very much NOT about you, OK?)

So, choose the materials you use well - I usually googled and picked and chose until I had three sources that I could stand on each topic. I was also in the habit of buying a different textbook than the set one. Some teachers even had the audacity to mind - what bl**dy difference does it make from which book I learn how to derivate or integrate?!??!!???!!!