Ask HN: How do you deal with your limited time?

[DDerTyp]

Hey, I'm curious how you deal with your limited time when it comes to learning the latest CS-Stuff. things like AI, ML, Blockchain, ... Background Story: I' currently a student working for a mid-size company. We're developing an ASP.NET site in C#. I'm also studying computer science with focus on economics. I love programming and learning, but it feels like the world moves too fast for me. I want to learn all sort of things, mostly ReactJS, ML / AI and Blockchain technology. Problem is, it feels like I don't have enough time for that. I mean, to get some knowledge in AI, I bet that you have to invest at least 6 months.

I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one who feels like this. So how do you deal with that? What would you do in my situation?

Thanks and have a good day! :)

[johnmax]

I was in a similar situation:

(1) I did one thing at a time, based by a tutorial which involves exercises (eg coursera princeton blockchain or coursera andrew ng machine learning). you must do complete exercises, otherwise you forget so quickly

(2) I overestimated the value of such learning: Usually you can only scratch the surface, and forget it after a time. This made me reevaluate the value of such endaveaors. I would rather go now with learning something that I will use daily or at least weekly on the job

[muzani]

Treat it like investing. You have a limited fund (of time).

Some things are high risk, high return. Some low risk, low return. The returns are higher the earlier you invest in them. Like someone who knew how to do cryptocurrency 2-3 years ago probably makes much more money than someone learning it now.

I feel like it's still a bit early for AI, in that the tools haven't matured yet, and so you'd end up paying more (time) to do so.

You don't want to invest a little into everything. Sit down and spend some time seriously thinking it through. Then pick a few things and focus.

[pinchharmonic]

I think the way to do it is simple. You need to develop the mental fortitude to simply spend some time logically planning out what you want to learn/do and why, and then just start doing it. Meditation helps with this focus/execution. Measure twice, cut once.