The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Student

I try to temper my frustration over the fact that I don't seem to be learning as quickly as I'd like with the knowledge that, if I really want to go somewhere in or with this intellectual adventure, it needs to be a life thing and not something that will have a specific end date.

I won't ever be "done" with mathematics or science. I don't even know what that would mean. And so my study has necessarily to be a permanent change in lifestyle, particularly if I want to hold on to what I've learned and not lose it (again).