Hello Charlie,
Something that isn't terribly difficult that you can start now: in addition to
algebra, hone your basic, everyday arithmetic skills. The skills that you carry
with you in your head. The advent of the calculator and computers has created a
generation, many if not most of whom struggle to make change from a purchase
without a calculator. Yes, you'll always have a phone for calculations, but
success in a technical career usually requires the ability to estimate a result
or recognize a wildly incorrect answer.
No need to be a fanatic about it. But knowing intuitively that one can of
tomatoes for 29 cents is a better buy than 3 for a dollar (one-third is 0.333,
33 cents) will help you in everyday life as well as in a math-based career.
Good luck!
Terry