<p>^^ I guess it really depends on the person. Math 55 is a high pressure course, and I think the point is less to learn anything specific, and more to take a ridiculously hard class. It obviously will teach what it does at a good level, but I think it’s mainly a bonding experience for people who like solving really hard problems. Sounds interesting; probably not for me, but lots of other stuff in Harvard’s math department looks pretty sweet. </p>
<p>The focus in more advanced coursework tends to veer away from solving especially hard problems, and difficulty in problems tends just to correspond to the difficulty of the material presented. </p>
<p>But yes, it takes a while to really the background in basics to succeed in the future. I think taking 55 is fine, just don’t think your studies end there, there’s a long, long way to go!</p>