IWTL I Want To Learn
This is a place where you can post for something you want to learn. We expect users to help out. Also please be civil and no NSFW stuff.
First: determine how much time you are able (and willing!) to invest, be realistic about it. Second: see if https://www.khanacademy.org/ provides the math level you have in mind and proceed at a steady weekly pace.
Math is a very broad term. What level of math do you want to learn?
I last left off at calculus 1, I want to learn enough useful day to day algebra and geometry/trig, but also matrix math for game development.
Khan academy does have all of those. Matrix math is taught in the course called "linear algebra".
Learning math comes in basically two components: lecture and practice.
During the lecture phase, you'll need to set some time aside so that you can absorb the information. In the past, I've had good experiences with Khan Academy. They break concepts up into small enough pieces that are probably 5-10 minute segments.
After you've learned how to solve a problem, you need to practice to keep that knowledge alive. I'd suggest making a ritual that only takes a few minutes. For example: before logging off your computer, you'll solve five problems of the type you're learning. Once you get very comfortable and those problems no longer pose a challenge then you're probably ready to move on to the next concept.
Repetition really is the key here. You could think of it like building a muscle. You don't get stronger by lifting 100kg one time, you get stronger by lifting 1kg one hundred times. Math is the same way, and cramming for several hours a few times yields poorer results than steadily practising your skills. The best part is that if you do have a busy schedule, you only need to carve out ten or fifteen minutes a day to slowly improve.
What type of math?
I figured I'd take the opportunity to ask if there are ways to improve basic math skills. I feel like a a kid I never really grasped those until high school and later and so as a result I hated math except for when it came up naturally in my life for fun (when I understood what was happening with every variable) Feels a little embarassing to ask about haha, I feel like I should be asking a more specific question but just...idk where to start or what my real issues are.
Schedule time. Don't feel guilty doing other things when you are not in your scheduled time window - in exchange, when you are in your scheduled window try to focus on that task because you know you have time in your schedule for other things later. Take it one day at a time. I earned my bachelor's degree in Math while working two jobs. It took me many years, but I did it.
The art of problem solving is pretty damn good
I would probably try to find a neat app for when you commute or do have time to kill. Something that's quick to pick up and easy to back to. AFAIK, there are plenty of these apps out there these days, if money is not a problem then the one called BRILLIANT is probably what I would recommend. It has a big focus on practical tasks and has a very polished feel to it.
