M208. Mindmap complete; ready to go.

Happy new year to all.

Having now done all the pre-study that I needed to,  I have now prepared a detailed mind-map of the entire M208 course, drilled down to the section level, using my Mindgenius software.  I plan to use this map, to hang off all the study material and study periods, as they happen.  The software allows me to convert the map into a Gantt chart, to keep track of critical path items of study such as TMA's and important topics, so that I don't get side-tracked, if short of time.

I have also exported it to a word file which is now plastered all over my office walls.  As each section is studied, I plan to measure how many study passes each section has had, noting any difficulties and also counting the repetitions of example questions attempted.

I  have also created a 'proofs book', a rather nice handmade 'Moleskine' A5 journal, in which I plan to write down all of the proofs that I now encounter, from M208 and beyond.  I hope to make this book a permanent feature of my coat pocket; browsing through it, in all of those moments of waiting that life creates, such as in queue's for buses and the like.

I am very excited and have made a pact with myself to commit 100% of my spare-time, to learning the contents of M208 this year.  I have used this approach before, when studying for professional exams, years ago; so it is a well trodden path, that I hope will not have too many pot-holes in it! (wife allowing)

So, again, happy new year to all.  The first big step on my quest for mathematical maturity, begins today.

M208...Is Here

It arrived today.  I feel like Christmas has come early.  The smell of new books; the anticipation of reading them; the shear amount of them!

I had a bit of a shock as they have delivered the entire course in one package.  They usually deliver half of it first and then the second half later in the year.  So I did have a moment of panic when I saw all of the books, before realising that what was in front of me, was the entire course.

The plan?  Quite simply to begin by lightly browsing through the books and getting a feel for the treasures inside; perhaps read the odd passage that takes my fancy.  Before finally settling down to some serious business between Christmas and new year (depending on hangovers).

Oh my goodness, what have I done!

The Calm Before the Storm

I am having a little rest from study and posting for part of this month, until my M208 study books arrive, signalling what will be a heavy and pre-longed period of chaos!  Not only will it be full steam ahead for M208 between the end of December 2011 until the exam in mid October 2012; but I will then start Complex analysis and also Number Theory and Logic, just before the final exam for M208.

Once those courses are complete, that will have been a full-on 19 months of study without any break.  Ouch!

So, I am taking this brief lull in my preparation, to prepare for a traditional family holiday at home.  I may even partake in a few bottles of Bishop's Finger and the odd mince pie.  Yum.