Gaining competence and maintaining it in subjects of intellectual depth will be one of the most difficult life-long processes you will face. There never has been, nor ever will be, a way to do it in an easy and fun way. It will always demand hard work and individual discipline on the part of the learner. You have to be willing to pay the price Have I scared you off already? Are you already thinking of dropping this class even before it starts? Is that the way you traditionally respond to challenges?