Computer Scientist Seeking Organic Chemistry Learning Roadmap.

Hello everyone,

I am a computer scientist by profession, but I've always had a deep fascination with chemistry. I would really like to grasp Organic Chemistry and I know there's a lot of content out there on this topic but I am really confused on where to get started.

About My Current Knowledge:

• Strong math/logic foundation from CS background
• Basic general chemistry understanding (self-taught through Khan Academy and YouTube)
• Comfortable with problem-solving and systematic thinking
• Limited hands-on lab experience

My end Goals:

• Build a solid theoretical foundation in organic chemistry
• Eventually understand complex reaction mechanisms and synthesis pathways
• Be able to read and comprehend chemistry papers
• Long-term: possibly pursue chemistry as a serious hobby or even career pivot

Questions for the Community:

1. What's the best starting point? Should I begin with a textbook like Clayden et al. or McMurry? Or would online courses be better for self-study?
2. How important is lab work for understanding? As someone without easy access to a lab, can I still develop meaningful understanding through theory alone?
3. What supplementary resources work well? Any recommendations for problem sets, video series, or interactive tools that complement textbook learning?
4. How to leverage my CS background? Are there computational chemistry aspects I could explore that might bridge my existing skills with organic chemistry?
5. Common pitfalls to avoid? What mistakes do self-learners typically make when approaching organic chemistry?

I'm prepared to put in serious time and effort - I just want to make sure I'm being efficient with my learning path. Any advice from academics, professionals, or fellow self-learners would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide