harrypaswan4's blog

By harrypaswan4, history, 7 years ago, In English

Hello Competitive Programmers! This month I've noticed something strange. Since the last 3 contests (2 from different ID), I'm unable to solve problem B on Codeforces. Moreover, when I start coding, I don't feel my mind is 'fresh' enough to think creatively. Usually, I solve 2 problems in the contest, and then I try to upsolve C and D (Div 2) later. However, for some reason I feel I'm not getting fresh ideas of late.

I would like to know — has it happened with someone else? Has anyone experienced such a phase when you don't understand how to solve problems ? And how do you guys deal with such a phase.

This is very shitty man.

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7 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +35 Vote: I do not like it

It happens!!! And there is no fixed way to recover from this. You have to find your own way. Some find taking a rest a good choice, some try to learn more stuff and stay out of contests, some just go with the problem even though it crushes there rating etc.

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7 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +23 Vote: I do not like it

Why negative rating to this question ? A person can have problems, and its our duty to help him unless that person is a troll(this guy isn't).

Practice makes a man perfect. Maybe you were lucky in solving B problems earlier and you are not skilled yet. You can go on solving many more B problems. Also don't leave upsolving; upsolving is the only way to improve your skills.

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7 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +8 Vote: I do not like it

The same thing has happened with me (you can check my graph). This happens when u want do many things at once but keep procrastinating, after sometime u get bored and are too fed up to think or take the necessary actions(at least this was for me). As i planned to complete many topics during my summer vacations (which has sadly come to an end now), I couldn't complete a single one properly as i wasted my whole time playing soccer with friends and enjoying my life lavishly, I then started feeling depressed but then i started MAINTAINING A DIARY in which i write all my feelings and the questions i did during the day. And Magically i don't feel depressed anymore, (u can see my performance in today's contest, had the previous 2 contests became rated, i would have fallen drastically). First of all take a step back and REMIND yourself that LIFE is indeed beautiful , this will enable u to enjoy coding and problem solving back again...and if u DON'T feel like solving problem, just take a pen and paper and just try to think a logic behind a given problem, BECAUSE problem solving is FUN!! ENjoy..

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7 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

Well, sometimes you are simply tired, it happens for me if I have had something like 7-8 contests in the last month(not on codeforces, I don't count these) and also I have solved many problems between those contests. The solution for me is simply to do something else — go out, read books or do something you like but is not mentally exhausting like programming. After a week at max you should be OK, although I usually find myself a bit lazy at the end of the rest :)

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7 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

only one thing i can say is practice...practice....practice.never lose hope and believe in yourself.

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7 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +13 Vote: I do not like it

Everyone has bad phases, even the smartest people. Keep trying your best in every contests and learning from mistakes you made ( this is the most important thing ).

Don't ever forget to try to solve questions reading the editorial, if you don't get the idea behind the explanation there, read some accepted codes and try to understand it step by step, the important thing is to correct your flaws.

  • If you get stuck in a question and won't even read the other problem statements, that's a flaw.
  • If you change little things in a wrong code ( instead of recoding it ) and get a lot of penalty on that question for it, that's a flaw.
  • If you got a W.A. because you misinterpreted the problem statement, that's a flaw.
  • If you forgot to check the limit bounds or tricky cases on your question, that's a flaw.

( ... many other good things to consider here, it depends on ones own try and failure experiences )

And last but not least, learn new things every often and practice them! Rating is just a number, if you a put newbie account in the hands of a div1 player, he'll get to expert or even candidate master on one single round.

Keep up the effort!

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7 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +1 Vote: I do not like it

I'm still going down in ratings, but that's fine ! I'll try my best. Maybe I won't become Expert on CF, but I'll do my best till I have fun!

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    7 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

    sleep well may help my friend :(

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

    Well..... your ratings decrease has stopped. Now at least youv'e become expert. Congratulations ! Work harder, who knows how far your ratings can go ! And have fun along the way.

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7 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

For anyone who is demotivated for this, take a look at my rating graph. Take a look at my last 7 contests. I hope this can serve as a means of motivation for a green :)
P.S. The rating decreases are not voluntary, I really could not think of any solution. :(