Self study - How to do it well?

[Abe27]

I have about 8 weeks in the summer holidays before I start university, where I would like to spend my time productively getting ready for university.

I am thinking of studying computer science with mathematics and statistics, also called machine learning and data science. For that, I can understand that it is a good idea to learn and program, and since mathematics is such an integral part, I would also like to get a good intuitive understanding of it. Both intended so that I will have a solid foundation to work from.

It's just how can I best structure it?

I find that I am more productive when I have a plan with assignments, assignments and exercises that are structured with deadlines. So I know what to start with and when I've done it well enough to take time off or not. This presents a bit of a challenge in how I have to arrange it myself. Since I will not fully know how much time and energy learning it will be.  

I could structure lets say 5 or 6 weeks to learn some material, therefore also have time for a break or to travel and just relax in the holidays. But about learning, i could set aside about 20 hours of expected work a week to study. Making it 100 to 120 hours of total studying?

I have found some Learning material

Harvard have some free courses in programming, for python and more boradly for data science
-https://cs50.harvard.edu/python/2022/

The youtube channel 3blue1brown has some series and videos about the "essence of"
-https://www.youtube.com/@3blue1brown

But more in the math department would be ideal, if you have any suggestions? The primary subjects would be discrete math, linear algebra, stats and probability. Also algorithms and programming, but i think the harvard courses are ideal to learn that from.

Do you have any recomendations?

I have tried doing something similar other years, but i often end up not really doing it. I would like this not to be the case this time

[Twega]

What are you interested in learning about? Are you only interested in data science/programming? Do you have other interests like economics, writing, philosophy, spirituality, neuroscience, etc?

 

If you're going to study CS / Data Sci in uni, If I were you I would focus my time on other areas of interest because I know university will not teach me those. But, if you don't other interests then yes I think this is a good plan. Good on you for using your time wisely. When I was your age I wasted this time just fucking around.

[Abe27]

I have been very interested in economics and are somewhat untypically in philosophy. While these subjects are and have been interesting i find myself more and more interested in universial truths, i find in data, stats, math and simmilar. 

I hope to do well in school, so i can really get to understand the subjects, and then use them widely and properbly.

i try my best to not just waste my time, while it is hard to spend all my time productively, i try to just do better over time. Do what i want to, but i do often feel like i just did what i used to do. For example i probably spend to much time on my computer, but i don't see what else i should spend my time on honestly?