Day 9 — Persistence Over Perfection

Hey everyone,

Today I completed Week 3 of CS50x, and yes, I’m proud of that. Even though I had a bit of a lag in between and honestly felt quite demotivated, I pushed through and finished it. That little win means a lot to me right now.

What I learned today was all about algorithms—searching and sorting techniques, time complexity, and more. Each week is building on the last, and while it’s getting more complex, it’s also getting more exciting.

But today’s blog isn’t just about what I learned in CS50x. It’s also about what I learned about myself.

Sometimes, the hardest part of self-learning isn’t the content. It’s the noise around you.

Today, my motivation dipped—not because of the coursework, but because of something more personal: my mom’s comparisons.

It’s that typical Indian parent moment—comparing me to other 21-year-olds who are already working in MNCs, earning good salaries, while I’m here learning from scratch.

What hurts the most is that in the beginning, she supported my decision to not take engineering and let me choose my own path. But now, she questions that choice. She says my BSc wasn’t the “right” one.

I know she cares. I know she wants the best for me. But these comparisons—especially when I’m already dealing with ADHD symptoms and fragile self-confidence—can really shake me.

Still, I’ve realized that I might not be the fastest or the most confident every day, but I am persistent.

I wasn’t mature enough back then to make the perfect career choice. But now, I’ve done the thinking, the research, and I’ve asked myself the hard questions. And I’m sure—AI is the right path for me.

I hope one day this persistence will speak louder than any comparison ever could.

If you're also dealing with doubt, pressure, or emotional triggers—know that you're not alone. Some journeys take longer because they’re meant to shape you deeper.

Today wasn’t perfect. But I showed up. I stayed with my decision. And that, in itself, is growth.

See you tomorrow,

Future AI engineer