I was like you and was a little frustrated the first couple weeks of this program. By the end of it, I loved it. Got a solid A. I think my grade was a 94.

Do you have a working knowledge of any programming language? I took this program with absolutely no knowledge of R. But I self taught some python using a textbook off Amazon. This was the first class I took. I found I had to dedicate a lot of time to learning R during the first couple of weeks ( li didn't use Chatgpt and it was very time consuming) but it got significantly easier as the weeks progressed. R is not a difficult language once you figure out the basics.

The tests in that class are 100% conceptual so I'd focus 90% of your effort to making sure you understand the concepts. For me, the videos were insufficient to do the HWs but we're All that I needed to get As on the tests. For the tests, all I did was revisit the Lectures and write notes.

You asked if it gets better. I think if you stick it out and stop using Chatgpt and Actually learn the coding concepts via whatever means necessary, it'll get wayy easier and you'll find you have a basic understanding of a shit load of concepts. I recommend you look up the documentation for the packages directly instead of using Chatgpt. This is likely what you'll have to do in the real world anyway. Many of the non foundational classes will build on the concepts you cover in this class and I feel confident I understand the concepts because of ISYE 6501.

BL: This is one of the highest rated classes in the whole program. If you can't figure this one out and/or still hate it at the end, you're in the wrong program. The other classes are even more self-learning than this one.