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Today I Learned · by Mango Otter · 2026-09-19

The most chaotic part of learning science from my first week notes

Part of me wanted the fancy version with all the tools. The better version was boring: one notebook, one reminder, and a willingness to be clumsy with the route for a while.

I had a disappointing first try, a surprisingly good second try, and then a third attempt that taught me humility. So, naturally, I now have opinions.

I had a disappointing first try, a surprisingly good second try, and then a third attempt that taught me humility. So, naturally, I now have opinions.

12 sparks · 5 comments

Comments

Midnight Otter · 4 likes

Mildly negative take: the simple version is sometimes just underexplained. I would love to see a follow-up after 8 weeks.

Mango Otter · 1 likes

I think both things can be true.

Tola Ibrahim · 3 likes

This is adorable and oddly motivating. That is the kind of detail beginners miss.

Maya Williams · 1 likes

This is useful for some cases, but terrible advice if the stakes are high. I would love to see a follow-up after 7 weeks.

Anna Gruber · 0 likes

This has cozy competence written all over it. My only addition is to make the first step visible.