The Origins

I'm a procrastinator. Always have been. If there's a way to put something off until the last minute, I'll probably find it. But here's the thing about being a chronic procrastinator – you become incredibly resourceful when it comes to finding shortcuts and efficient learning methods.

When you're racing against deadlines, you naturally gravitate toward learning resources that can teach concepts quickly and effectively. This led me down countless rabbit holes of YouTube tutorials, crash courses, and any video content that promised to explain complex ideas in digestible chunks. Mathematics became my subject of choice not despite this tendency, but because of it.

Unlike subjects such as English, where interpretation and nuance create multiple valid answers, mathematics offers something beautifully concrete: there's (almost) always one right answer. This black-and-white nature makes it possible to learn mathematical concepts at a rapid pace. You either understand the method or you don't. You either get the right answer or you don't. This clarity was exactly what my procrastinating brain needed — and this is what drove me to study Mathematics at University.

My name is Ben Chau, and I'm currently a second-year Mathematics and Computer Science student at the University of Queensland. When I graduated from high school in 2023, I can honestly say that one resource stood out above all others: Joel Speranza's video math tutorials. His clear explanations and structured approach were exactly what I needed to grasp complex mathematical concepts quickly.

Joel's videos were a game-changer, but university brought new challenges and new learning opportunities.

In my first semester at university, I enrolled in a programming course. Initially, I approached coding the same way I'd approached mathematics – by memorising theory and hoping it would stick. While this method helped me pass exams, something was missing. The concepts weren't truly cementing in my mind.

Then I discovered LeetCode, a problem-based learning platform that revolutionised how I understood programming. Instead of just memorising syntax and theoretical concepts, I was solving real problems, applying what I'd learned in practical scenarios. The difference was remarkable – concepts that had felt abstract suddenly became concrete tools I could wield confidently.

This experience sparked something in my mind. I started thinking: what if there was a way to combine the clarity and accessibility of Joel Speranza's math videos with the practical, problem-solving approach of LeetCode? What if mathematics learning could be both visual and interactive, theoretical and practical?

I shared this idea with friends, describing it as "LeetCode meets Joel Speranza math tutorials." The more I talked about it, the more excited I became about the possibilities.

Why OzMath?

Three passions drive everything I do: teaching, computer science, and entrepreneurship. Teaching has always brought me joy – there's something incredibly satisfying about helping someone understand a concept they've been struggling with. Computer science gives me the tools to build solutions to real problems. And entrepreneurship? Well, that's what transforms good ideas into reality.

OzMath represents the intersection of these three interests. It's a platform designed by someone who understands the struggle of learning mathematics under pressure, built with the technical skills I've developed through my computer science studies, and driven by an entrepreneurial desire to create something genuinely useful.

Looking Forward

We live in a world full of procrastinators like me – students who need efficient, effective ways to learn complex subjects. Traditional teaching methods don't always work for everyone, and that's okay. Sometimes the best solutions come from understanding your own learning style and building tools that work with your natural tendencies, not against them.

OzMath isn't just another math tutorial platform. It's a solution born from personal experience, academic insight, and a genuine desire to help fellow students succeed. Whether you're a last-minute learner like me or someone who just wants a more engaging way to master mathematics, we're building something that could change how you think about learning.

After all, sometimes the best innovations come from admitting our weaknesses and turning them into strengths.