TITLE: What is the best way to go about learning math?
QUESTION [6 upvotes]: I know this is a very subjective question, but after struggling on my own for a while I figured I might as well ask it.
I did all the normal math classes in college (LinAlg, MultiVariable Calc, etc... - I was a CS major). I'm now trying to get back into math and have had trouble trying to get an initial foothold.
Basically, my question is whether it would be better to pick a topic area and try to study it, or to go through things that interest me and try to learn what I need to along the way? I've tried both to some degree - I tried to find a few good sources on Category Theory and blaze on ahead but quickly found myself having to grind quite hard and so losing interest to some degree, I also tried to pick up papers off of arXiv and read them while looking up things when I didn't know them, but this path also became pretty tedious as I found myself wandering off on new tangents constantly, moving further and further away from my original goal.
I know the answer undoubtedly has to do with how I learn best and forcing myself through the initial hard parts, but I would be extremely thankful if anyone could help color these paths with their own personal experiences so I could get a feel for them?
Thanks!

REPLY [4 votes]: Just try to observe what you wanted to study in maths. And try as much as on paper not orally. Don't get hopeless if you can't get something but try to find out what mistake had you done.