You Never Know Until You Try!
I still remember a few days before seeing the brand new training information, it was our fourth cohort's small gathering. I was pleasantly surprised to see Deep Learning-related information just a few days after the event ended.
I've always hoped to create image recognition-related projects. I never imagined this would require learning Linear Algebra. Is it really necessary? If it truly is, then let's learn it!
Before applying, I even borrowed a notebook from a colleague that helped them ace their exams. After flipping through it and reading the first few pages of the assigned textbook, I confirmed the content didn't seem off-putting, so I decided to sign up!
Wait! Is This the World of Mathematics?
As someone who hasn't had much mathematical academic performance in the past, I spent considerable effort figuring out how to successfully navigate the world of mathematics and learn Linear Algebra.
The process I followed was roughly this: stabilize my mindset, understand the textbook's unique structural design, figure out how to learn mathematics, figure out how to learn mathematics in English, understand mathematical notation, understand mathematical terminology, comprehend the content of textbook paragraphs, understand example problems, practice example problems, practice exercises, review repeatedly, practice repeatedly, practice until I can apply it...
Only after becoming familiar with mathematical notation and terminology could I truly enter the textbook. Processing one page of textbook description took me about 40 to 90 minutes, working through example problems required at least 180 minutes, and handling proofs needed much, much more time—and that's just for going through it 'once.'
Doing mathematics is truly a time monster—you completely lose sense of time, but the feeling of being immersed in it is very comfortable. Some things could indeed be executed according to the set process, others couldn't, and I could only execute repeatedly and adjust continuously to find a way that worked for me.
Moving Forward Through the Unknown
I've become very accustomed to solving unknown challenges every day. After quickly breaking them down into executable segments, I can keep moving forward. But in the moment of solving problems, I cannot, am unable to, and have no time to think about whether something is difficult or not.
Looking back afterward, I realize the Linear Algebra textbook was so massive, every week's tasks were so difficult, and every problem was beyond my capability boundaries. Being able to solve these problems was truly not easy.
A Choice Without Regrets
Any outcome is actually traceable. Although I invested a huge amount of time, referring to my own learning curve and the number of repetitions needed, I understand that this time was far from enough.
Although I was just two points away from passing the exam, what I was truly missing wasn't those two points, but the ability to write mathematical proofs.
I didn't truly understand what mathematical proof reasoning is all about, so I couldn't transform the time invested and the methods executed into the required learning outcomes. This part was something I didn't handle well.
Some things, once missed, are missed. Things not done well don't necessarily have a chance to return to the process and be done well again. This certainly hurts, but it's not the end of the world. If willing, there's always something that can be done. Problems cared about deeply enough can always find answers someday.
Farewell!
This is a small journey that ended just as it began. The training content was certainly not just mathematics—I also really enjoyed listening to classmates share neural network design approaches in weekly meetings. But passing the mathematics written exam was the key to entering the next training phase.
Although I didn't pass, I'm actually quite satisfied with the outcome of this training. As someone who's a mathematics insulator, I attempted things I've never done before. This is indeed the farthest I could go at this stage.
Being able to walk a path with the WeHelp community, with Peng Peng, and with excellent classmates, I'm truly happy. Those obstacles I couldn't overcome will still be conquered one by one. Those unfinished WeHelp to-do lists will continue to be executed. Perhaps we'll meet again someday in the future~
Well, that's it for now! The first phase officially ends—stamp approved~
Tomorrow is a brand new day, and I'll keep moving forward into the new day~