It sounds cliche but the old advice “do something you’re passionate about” applies. I have loved chemistry since I was a teenager because I had an inspiring teacher, without this passion I would have given up when I got to the very hard parts of math.
Personally I had to level up my math game a lot, when I started I had to keep pausing looking up terms, then write tiny prototypes, then keep learning. At the start it took me a month to read and understand a paper, now I can skim read them in minutes, without a passion for chemistry and the self discipline to keep at it I would have given up.
Take extensive notes, actually review them frequently, and refractor them as you learn.
Find mentors in the space, while reading papers I took names and reached out, I offered free programming to anyone who I found inspiring, and this built relationships with some pretty amazing professors and students around the world.
Hope that helps! <3
