So, the first week of my attempt is coming to a close and things are much better than I expected them to be actually.
But first, I'll start with the boring bit. This week, my main focus was supposed to be progressing through Khan Academy's Statistics and Probability course by completing one unit. Surprisingly enough, I did just that. I was even able to do a bit of review for the Calculus course that I "finished" last year (I finished in the sense that I got to mastery level for all units, mostly by using Google Image search to answer the questions for me. Why would someone do that when they actually want to learn? I guess I just value the dopamine spike you get from that little tune that plays when you finish a level over actual learning. So now I have to go all the way back like someone who's never stepped foot in a Calculus class). Tangent over, back to Stats and Probability.
The course was rather simple, too simple actually. I am scared because I know that eventually things will get tougher. What if I'm unable to keep my motivation then? The only place I struggled was with identifying trends in categorical data. I guess my logic skills are absolutely awful. But for some reason, for the first time ever, I am motivated to practice and get better. I have chosen to use a random worksheet that I found online. I'll make an update on my progress next week.
As for this coming week, I plan to work on the next unit which is displaying and comparing quantitative data. But, I will avoid a pitfall that I have made previously which was assuming because the first unit was too easy, that I can rush through all the other units at a similar place. So, I will only aim to complete at least the first subsection (it seems to have a lot of quizzes so I may take some time on it).
Next, I had planned to work on DSA, focusing on heaps. Then, at the start of the week, I randomly decided to focus on Computer Vision instead and work on a new project idea. I did finish four units in Kaggle's CV course and made the frontend for my project, which is really cool. Then I went to see a dentist, and this is where things changed.
My dentist happened to ask what I was studying. When I told her I had just completed a CS course, she randomly offered me a gig building a website for her. I am still in shock. If you had told me, as I was sitting my final exam, that I would end up with a freelance gig just a week later, I would have slapped you probably (I may be a bit too violent now that I think of it). But, here I am. Granted, this gig won't make me much money and my experience is definitely an inaccurate depiction of the current freelance market, but its something. And it gives me hope.
However, I am panicking. My hope is that I can make a website so good that she'll recommend me to more of her friends who are seeking a similar service. But, what if my site is shit? I've never built anything professional before. Heck, I've barely built any substantial project outside of the school ones that I vibe-coded and halfassed. I am scared. But its not like I can back out now. This change does put a pause to my study plans for a bit though. Yes, I'll continue studying, but I'll be going at a much slower rate.
Based on all that, here's my plan for next week:
- Khan Academy's Statistics and Probability: Displaying and comparing quantitative data - Displaying quantitative data with graphs
- Kaggle courses: Computer Vision - Custom Convnets and Data Augmentation
- Work on the frontend for my dentist's website
That's all for now. If I was a praying man I'd be on my knees right now because I am scared as hell. But oh well...
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