I'm nearing the end of my third semester, and honestly, I feel stuck. I started learning Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) in my first semester, completed the theory, and moved on to practice on LeetCode. However, I've been really inconsistent and just thinking about tackling a problem feels exhausting. Instead of engaging with the material, I tend to find shortcuts.
I've also been trying to learn Machine Learning (ML) and have made it through the basics up to Random Forest, but it's been ages since I even touched my course. I'm not great at DSA, I haven't been contributing to ML, and now I'm feeling a lot of pressure to keep up academically, especially since my friends are performing well. n
I'm definitely not giving up, but I'm lost on how to restart without burning myself out. Should I abandon DSA for now and focus on projects instead? Does anyone have practical routines or resources that actually helped them during a similar slump? I'm looking for candid advice, so suggestions like "grind harder" aren't helpful right now.
1 Answer
It might be a good idea to pause ML while you focus on DSA. Get comfortable with programming and problem-solving first. You mentioned feeling burnt out, so taking a break from programming entirely could be beneficial. Sometimes, stepping back helps recharge your motivation to dive back into it later.
But does anyone even find value in learning ML if they aren't aiming for a PhD? I feel like people think they'll just create awesome models out of nowhere.