Do you guys actually study math in your freetime? How do you fight the allure of video games?
After highschool I took like a 2 year break because I was directionless and had lots of psychological problems. I made a half assed attempt at college after highschool, but I wasn’t ready yet. I’m in my first real semester of community college right now, looking to get a comp sci degree. I was naturally pretty smart at school, but I didn’t apply myself in highschool due to lack of interest, procrastination, anxiety, and lack of understanding of the value of education.
I’m a different person now and have been grinding hard at school. I’ve realized that math and physics really aren’t that tough (for now), its just about filling in holes in your knowledge about certain identities and rules you forgot, and the rules to memorize are often simpler than those in the really complex video games I’ve played.
I’m just curious what motivates you. I naturally have an interest in history, geopolitics, and modern military defense nerd stuff like the balance of power between different radars and missiles. However, I want to gain a concrete skill for the job market. But are there really people who like to do calculus problems in their free time? Do you really like it more than vidya? Or do you like it because you feel guilty playing vidya whereas you feel accomplished when learning math? I’ve been fighting to cut out the vidya demon and spend my time doing more productive stuff. I still play occasionally with friends, but try to avoid time sink stuff and only play casually. Some games are simply too dangerous and addictive.
One thing I like about studying for school is that it is a way to show that you are smart that others care about. No one cares if you are really good at a complex strategy game. Also, like lifting, even if it is boring or tough in the moment, you don’t go to sleep at the day’s end with any regrets if you worked hard that day.
After highschool I took like a 2 year break because I was directionless and had lots of psychological problems. I made a half assed attempt at college after highschool, but I wasn’t ready yet. I’m in my first real semester of community college right now, looking to get a comp sci degree. I was naturally pretty smart at school, but I didn’t apply myself in highschool due to lack of interest, procrastination, anxiety, and lack of understanding of the value of education.
I’m a different person now and have been grinding hard at school. I’ve realized that math and physics really aren’t that tough (for now), its just about filling in holes in your knowledge about certain identities and rules you forgot, and the rules to memorize are often simpler than those in the really complex video games I’ve played.
I’m just curious what motivates you. I naturally have an interest in history, geopolitics, and modern military defense nerd stuff like the balance of power between different radars and missiles. However, I want to gain a concrete skill for the job market. But are there really people who like to do calculus problems in their free time? Do you really like it more than vidya? Or do you like it because you feel guilty playing vidya whereas you feel accomplished when learning math? I’ve been fighting to cut out the vidya demon and spend my time doing more productive stuff. I still play occasionally with friends, but try to avoid time sink stuff and only play casually. Some games are simply too dangerous and addictive.
One thing I like about studying for school is that it is a way to show that you are smart that others care about. No one cares if you are really good at a complex strategy game. Also, like lifting, even if it is boring or tough in the moment, you don’t go to sleep at the day’s end with any regrets if you worked hard that day.
