Reflection #1

My relationship with Math

Since I began this journey, one aspect of learning data science that has frightened me the most is math.

During my elementary years, math was my favorite subject. I would look forward to solving those timed multiplication sheets, coloring pie charts to learn fractions, and challenging myself with interesting tasks my teacher would devise to help us understand the concepts.

In middle school, I began working hard to place into advanced math and pushed myself to move up to accelerated classes. That’s when my relationship with math started to deteriorate.

All math had become were assignments and exams. I needed to complete tasks to get an ‘A’ in a class. The fast pace made it difficult to move beyond simply completing the work to do well in the class. I would learn something new, stress about grasping it before the next exam, complete the exams, and then forget. The demands to be a well-performing student meant that I would get good grades and not grasp the material for long-term recall.

One of my goals has been to revive my relationship with math. With that comes revisiting all the concepts I’ve been through so far with the mindset to learn and enjoy as I once used to instead of just knowing the material for an exam.

If you've ever faced similar learning challenges, my hope is that this blog serve as a catalyst, inspiring you to rediscover and reignite your passion for learning!