Same here. The way it was taught did not resonate at all with me at the time. I could memorize enough to pass the exam and then it would float away because it wasn't anchored to anything. I need examples and applications and concreteness and that way of looking at seemed to be discouraged. The professor was far more interested in teaching proofs.
It's painful while you're doing it.
I can visualize a meme, "thinking about math" and "actually doing math"
hahaha.. Put it on one of the latest AI algorithms and generate a meme! :D