Learn Math Again as an Adult

I’ve always wanted to really understand mathematics, but for years I only studied it here and there—always blaming my busy schedule as an excuse. Recently, I decided it’s finally time to give it a proper try.

This blog will be my space to keep track of that journey.

Why I’m Starting Over

The main reason is simple: learning is fun.

Back in school, I studied mostly out of obligation and never found it very interesting. But as an adult, I’ve discovered a genuine curiosity—not just for math, but also for history, literature, and other subjects.

Since I work as a programmer, I often come across situations where math knowledge would be useful. Looking back, I realize there were times when a stronger foundation in math could have helped me write better code or handle certain projects more effectively. That’s another motivation for me.

Still, I believe curiosity and enjoyment matter most. I want to approach this without getting too caught up in methods or efficiency—just to enjoy the process.

I’m not doing this for career benefits or practical use. My plan is to take my time and keep learning over the course of years.

Goals

Even though I want this to be fun, I know I stay motivated longer when I set clear goals. So here’s what I’m aiming for:

Ultimate Goal: To understand advanced mathematical theories.

I’m fascinated by subjects like Fourier analysis, homological algebra, and Euclidean geometry—the kind of deep ideas people pursued centuries ago out of sheer curiosity. There’s something inspiring about following in that tradition of thought.

Right now, I don’t understand any of it. But one day, I want to.

For now, since my foundation is weak, my first step is to review middle and high school math and challenge myself with the Practical Mathematics Proficiency Test.

According to the exam levels, Pre-1st Grade is equivalent to senior high school math, and 1st Grade is around the university level. So I’ve set these milestones:

Milestone 1: Pass the Pre-2nd Grade Mathematics Proficiency Test.

Milestone 2: Pass the Pre-1st Grade Mathematics Proficiency Test.

I may adjust or add more milestones along the way, but this is where I’ll start.

I’ll also use this blog to document my study process and the methods I try.