Hey, thanks for your comment; it’s provided me with some very helpful insights. I’ll now be responding to each of your points in turn.
I appreciate the optimism. Often I feel proud of myself when looking back over the past year, but I can never stop stressing over current issues. I still predict that, even if I never further optimize my habits, I will indeed be in a good position in a few years.
As I said in the discussion, I’ve tried a lot of things; the things that worked are my current habits. I’ve had a sort of exercise regime from the beginning (early on, I was mostly dedicated to improving my health) that has evolved over time. Based on the article you linked, it could certainly use some optimizations, however; I’ll be changing some things around.
I’ve never tried using a ‘point system’ or productivity rubric before; those seem like good ideas. I definitely need to make myself (in the short-term) want to accomplish things rather than log hours. I’m thinking I’ll create some kind of productivity log that I can also use to summarize what I just read/worked on.
That book you just mentioned is so extremely relevant I wonder how I have missed it. I’d like to thank you for including it. Anyway, I’ll also look into experimenting with different structured break activities aside from leisure computer use/reading, like another form of meditation. If I can successfully implement some of the studying tactics I’m talking about, I think I’ll be able to more easily partake in fun time.
Indeed one of my medium-term goals is to pass AP exams; I will only be focusing on the most relevant ones, however. I haven’t tried formally analyzing topics to see if I should study them or when; that seems like another good idea. I’m planning on studying all the topics presented in the MIRI recommended course list, but I will most likely major in CS. I’ve already sent an email to Cognito Mentoring, actually; I’m optimistic about their potential to help guide my self- education.
I agree with you here. Most of my game programming skill came from working on my own projects. My reply to another comment in this thread is very relevant. I’m going to take some MOOCs (not just the ones in the MIRI course list), but I’m unsure of how I should fit them into my longer-term study plan. I’m also interested in experimenting with studying lecture notes. A lot of the courses/lectures available are probably above my level, though, so I might have a hard time finding some that I can use.
I didn’t mention it in the discussion, but most likely I won’t attempt to transfer to Stanford OHS. It’s too much of a rush/gamble, I want to keep my total control over my education, and I believe that I will (eventually) become an acceptably efficient autodidact.
As I said in the discussion, I’ve tried a lot of things; the things that worked are my current habits.
Cool; glad to hear you’re trying things.
I will most likely major in CS
That’s a good option, but as a CS major if you’re serious about doing AI research for MIRI I think I would be leaning towards math. It’s much easier and more effective to self-credential in CS than math by having a GitHub full of cool projects. With math you actually benefit from a classroom environment to a much greater degree in my opinion. Also, my impression was that MIRI was more in need of math talent than CS talent. I think math + self-taught CS is good from a career perspective as well (math signals intelligence to CS employers; math + CS is good for quant/data scientist type jobs).
A lot of the courses/lectures available are probably above my level, though, so I might have a hard time finding some that I can use.
Yep, that’s something tricky about being an autodidact.
I didn’t mention it in the discussion, but most likely I won’t attempt to transfer to Stanford OHS. It’s too much of a rush/gamble, I want to keep my total control over my education, and I believe that I will (eventually) become an acceptably efficient autodidact.
Hey, thanks for your comment; it’s provided me with some very helpful insights. I’ll now be responding to each of your points in turn.
I appreciate the optimism. Often I feel proud of myself when looking back over the past year, but I can never stop stressing over current issues. I still predict that, even if I never further optimize my habits, I will indeed be in a good position in a few years.
As I said in the discussion, I’ve tried a lot of things; the things that worked are my current habits. I’ve had a sort of exercise regime from the beginning (early on, I was mostly dedicated to improving my health) that has evolved over time. Based on the article you linked, it could certainly use some optimizations, however; I’ll be changing some things around.
I’ve never tried using a ‘point system’ or productivity rubric before; those seem like good ideas. I definitely need to make myself (in the short-term) want to accomplish things rather than log hours. I’m thinking I’ll create some kind of productivity log that I can also use to summarize what I just read/worked on.
That book you just mentioned is so extremely relevant I wonder how I have missed it. I’d like to thank you for including it. Anyway, I’ll also look into experimenting with different structured break activities aside from leisure computer use/reading, like another form of meditation. If I can successfully implement some of the studying tactics I’m talking about, I think I’ll be able to more easily partake in fun time.
Indeed one of my medium-term goals is to pass AP exams; I will only be focusing on the most relevant ones, however. I haven’t tried formally analyzing topics to see if I should study them or when; that seems like another good idea. I’m planning on studying all the topics presented in the MIRI recommended course list, but I will most likely major in CS. I’ve already sent an email to Cognito Mentoring, actually; I’m optimistic about their potential to help guide my self- education.
I agree with you here. Most of my game programming skill came from working on my own projects. My reply to another comment in this thread is very relevant. I’m going to take some MOOCs (not just the ones in the MIRI course list), but I’m unsure of how I should fit them into my longer-term study plan. I’m also interested in experimenting with studying lecture notes. A lot of the courses/lectures available are probably above my level, though, so I might have a hard time finding some that I can use.
I didn’t mention it in the discussion, but most likely I won’t attempt to transfer to Stanford OHS. It’s too much of a rush/gamble, I want to keep my total control over my education, and I believe that I will (eventually) become an acceptably efficient autodidact.
Cool; glad to hear you’re trying things.
That’s a good option, but as a CS major if you’re serious about doing AI research for MIRI I think I would be leaning towards math. It’s much easier and more effective to self-credential in CS than math by having a GitHub full of cool projects. With math you actually benefit from a classroom environment to a much greater degree in my opinion. Also, my impression was that MIRI was more in need of math talent than CS talent. I think math + self-taught CS is good from a career perspective as well (math signals intelligence to CS employers; math + CS is good for quant/data scientist type jobs).
Yep, that’s something tricky about being an autodidact.
Seems reasonable.