I waited for more than a year to write this blog.
I started CP in July 2017, I always dreamed about reaching red, and it finally happened. I didn't become red like talented contestants in 1-2 years, but it took me more than that.
The start of my CP journey was average (you can see my graph); It took me more than six months to reach pupil, then another six months to get specialist, and it took me more time to achieve higher ranks. I didn't have any mentor or coach. So, I asked many stupid questions, which you can find if you read my old blogs. One of these questions is, "What's the importance of Dynamic Programming?" (I drafted this blog xD), But of course, I don't motivate people to ask these types of questions as they usually can be answered by just searching.
I failed many times during my journey in CP, especially in important competitions (IOI21 and IOI22). I stopped CP many times because I was frustrated and believed I could never improve. For example, I stopped when I was a pupil because I was frustrated that I would never be a stable specialist, but then I returned to CP and decided to try again.
I want people who are stuck in the newbie or higher ranges for much time to know that if you are stuck for a long time in your rating range, it doesn't mean you can't reach higher ranks. It's normal to be stuck for some time in your rating range. What's wrong is comparing yourself with your peers, as everyone starts with a different problem-solving background.
I wrote this blog to show people that no matter how many times you fail or how much time you're stuck in your rating range, there's a light at the end of the tunnel if you keep practising. It's okay to fail many times and to have time before improvement. Don't get frustrated because of some bad contest results. Instead, Analyze what's wrong in your training and fix it. Lastly, I want to show that red isn't impossible and anyone can reach red with enough practice.
Congrats!
Congrats to you, too :)
Thanks!
waiting for your story.
There is not much to say :D
I seriously started participating in contests 2 years ago, since then I just solved lots of problems and becamse GM!
what is your method to solve a problem and become red ??
Thanks! :D Congrats too!
Thanks!
congrats man, well deserved.
Thanks!
orz
Bakry orz
Congrats, You deserve it.
Thanks!
plot twist: he was downvoting
ORZ
Congrats bro, hope u reach LGM soon incha'allah.
Thanks!
Congrats , u deserve it
Thanks!
Congrats, you hard earned it. :)
Thank you!
HardWork pays off,Congrats!!
Thanks!
orz
Congrats!! Amazing result. I took a master before the same way. But after reaching master i fear, that i come back to candidate or expert(now i am candidate, but i have higher performance, if i don't make the same mistakes on future round i will reach a grandmaster :)
My goal now is reaching red for a winter and long-run goal is take a medal on ICPC World Finals Sharm :)))
Thank you!!
I hope you reach red soon and get a medal in ICPC :D
Thanks :D
Congratulations. Really insipiring.
Thanks!
We are all happy for what you accomplished
Good job buddy. I remember meeting you at IOI and you were really cool! I'm really happy for you.
I don't remember if you can go to IOI 2023, but if you can, I hope when we're both red when we meet there ;)
Thanks!!. Yeah, I remember our conversation. It was cool.
I still have a chance to participate in IOI 2023. I hope you reach red and meet there :D
Good job buddy. I remember meeting you at IOI and you were really cool! I'm really happy for you.
I don't remember if you can go to IOI 2023, but if you can, I hope when we're both red when we meet there ;)
I will steal my replyThanks!!. Yeah, I remember our conversation. It was cool.
I still have a chance to participate in IOI 2023. I hope you reach red and meet there :D
you are such an inspiration for me since day one in cp keep it up ,congrats red suit you
Thank you! I'm happy to hear that!
Congrats
Thanks!
Congrats bro, I'm gonna save this blog and read this once daily to make my mind to be focused and determined and don't quit. Really happy for your achievement and thanks for such an inspiring and motivational blog. Once again Congratulations Bakry !!!! <^,^>
Thanks!!
Congrats bakry
Thanks!!
Congrats you deserve it <3
Thank you!! :D
Congrats man!!
ليست العبرة لمن سبق ولكن العبرة بمن صدق
Thanks!!
Congrats
Thanks!!
Congrats, Bakry. I'm really happy and inspired by you. <3
Congrats to you too!
Thanks ^^
Edit: Just noticed you became red as well. Congrats to you too :D
Thanks Eddard <3
Congrats too!! I'm happy for you <3
I'm glad you achieved your dream, hoping one day I'll achieve mine aswell
good luck, I hope you reach your dream :D
Great to see this, you really deserve it!
Thank you Suneet :D
This is heartwarming. Thanks for sharing.
I want to be red too!
I hope you achieve it!
who asked?
Hey, it's me, I am the one who asked :)
No one asked for your comment too.
Just when I needed that bit of motivation. Thank you and congratulations!
Thanks!!
Worth-mentioning that he is still a high school student and Egyptian like me which is inspiring for me as a university student.
I'm happy that the blog inspired you :D
Congrats!
Thanks!!
Congrats!
Thanks, Anton!! You're really the best CF coordinator, and I enjoy participating in rounds which you coordinate <3 :D
Congrats!
Thanks!!
Congratulations Nothing is impossible
Thanks!!
Congrats orz. Your journey is nothing less than an inspiration.
Thanks!! Happy to hear that!
Congrats! You're an inspiration.
Thanks!!
Congratss! I too dream of becoming red some day. I turned pupil today!
Thanks!! I hope you achieve red! And congrats on reaching pupil!
I became red!! Until January 10 Lmaoo!
Well atleast your growth rate is better than mine
Analyze why you're stuck in your rating range, and then fix these issues in your training. It helped me.
How you did that, please give an example of your cases
Just analyze your last couple of contests and think about why you performed like that not higher and eventually you will find mistakes. Think about fixing these mistakes in your training.
Such an inspiration, congrats!!
Thanks!!
Such a motivating graph! Congrats, orz.
Thank you!!
Congratulations Mate! It's really really heart-warming to know your story!
I did go through your older blogs and it made me realise how Toxically RATIST this community has been to you while you were still young, new(low-rated) and growing!
https://codeforces.com/blog/entry/59881
At the time of posting this comment, it has -16 votes for the OP and +13, +8 for two High-Rated Commenters(Proof)! Currently, our OP is higher rated than those two. The community might want to re-order their Votes NOW. LOL! But honestly, the people who commented deserve DEEP RESPECT! Despite being highly rated, they didn't ignore or look down at the post, and tried to interact with our OP and actually helped him!
Please stay the way you are and Downvote this Comment for pointing fingers at the Community! That will fuel the desire for low-rated people like me to get better at CP xD!
Thanks!!
This is how I was fuled to reach CM btw XD
Haha! That is really nice to hear XD!
Congrats! lol, I dreamed about reaching CM, and I reached candidate master last round. I started my CP in Oct 2021. I was really excited about reaching CM and seeing Roshin, the purple one! I almost retired from ICPC after winning 2 silver medals, Codeforces is where I can enjoy CP now.
I was really inspired by your blog. I hope I will be Master in a few months!
Thank you for your sharing! :D
Thanks!! Congrats on reaching CM! and I hope you be Master!
Congrats Bakry, We’re all proud of you
Thanks!
Congrats!
I spent a lot of time in CP in the last two years, and also dream about becoming red or behaving great in important contest such as NOIP (National Olympiad in Informatics in Provinces), but finally failed, and even performance worth after more training.
But I convince that I am still a CP enthusiast. You are right, I shouldn't be frustrated. I should think of what's wrong with my training and continue to practice although I failed many times. Hope I can become red like you one day, and hope you can become a IGM soon.
Thanks!!
It hurts a lot when one fails in important competitions. I know this feeling, especially if it's far below one's level.
I hope you perform better in the next NOIP and reach red!
Congrats bro!! But being honest, i started reading blog by hope that i would found some insight on how to follow a definite path of CP. Although, it's a motivation blog.
But I'd encourage if someone like to share some real tips on how to grow in CPverse.
Thanks!
There's no definite path for CP or something; It's just practising. Nothing else. By the way, I gave some bits of advice in my blog.
Several years ago I wrote this "But I guessed that before legends become legends, they had similar experiences like us, too, facing challenges, keeping practicing, handling various problems, and making progress day by day." in my blog https://codeforces.com/blog/entry/56210.
How time flies, and now I think I you are the evidence of my words. Congratulations to your great achievement!
Thanks!!
congrats boy You hit the inner part of my heart by writing this blog it not only motivates me but also gave me a lesson that I'll never stop CP 0:)
Thanks!! Happy that the blog motivated you!
You said that you're not talented. I personally think that you're learning curve is different, but you sure are talented.
There are many peeps on this website who've been doing CP for >5 years, and have solved >3000 problems and are still not close to master.
The count of problems doesn't matter. Solving many problems below your level won't improve one's level. Sadly, I saw many who solved many problems, But most of these problems were below their level.
Congratulations!! :orz:
Any advice you want to share, which you feel can be helpful for div1's or in general anyone ?
Thanks!!
Try to practice from more than one OJ, Not just codefores. Practising from many OJs helped me to get better at different problem styles.
Congrats:D Hope I'll also become pupil soon..:)
Thanks!! I hope you become pupil :D
You are a real inspiration...... Congrats!!!
Thanks!!
Congrats!
As Arabs , we are very proud of you :)
And thanks for the inspiring blog!
Thanks!!
thanks , much needed timely blog for me, I was stuck for long time in gray , then became cyan very fast suddenly, now I am stuck in cyan very very long,it feels frustrating but I wanna become red too, that's my dream ,I am practicing and still trying
Good luck, I hope you reach red too!!
Congrats!!
Thanks!!
Congrats!
Thanks!!
I have a new goal right now: write a blog like you in 12 months (I only have 12 months left to participate in ICPC).
Good luck! I hope you do well in ICPC!
Congratulations Sir!
Thanks!!
Congratulations.
My question is did your rating start improving after learning good amount of concepts or after practicing a lot of problems using those concepts?
Another question is if I learn a new concept for example dfs should I look up a number of dfs questions straight away or wait until I find a dfs question while randomly solving problems? What was your approach?
Thanks!
No, I reached CM without knowing many topics. What's important is practising, not just learning topics.
When I learned a topic, I solved some problems about this topic before returning to solve random problems.
congratulations! As Egyptians, we are proud of you
Thanks!!
Congrats, maybe I needed to see something like this.
Thanks!!
Congrats! And thanks for expressing your feelings
Thanks!!!
Congrats! I also spent too much time to reach red color(maybe 7 years), so I strongly relate to your mind. You are best :)
Thanks!!
Wow, Your graph looks impressive! I hope you reach IGM soon!
It's amazing that even under this post some people are asking about tips / secrets / path to success. After reading the blog I thought "Finally someone who struggled to get there says that there is no secret, it's all just practice, learning, perseverance and patience. Maybe people will stop asking finally." But I guess some people will never stop asking and actually start working to get better.
Congrats on red, and thanks for writing this blog, I hope that at least some people will be inspired to make an effort to improve.
Fully agreed brother, When will people learns this. Btw congrats on getting first place on the last round. How are you able to do this?-
Lol, atleast don't ask that after agreeing to his comment.
Sorry Big Brains
Thanks!!
Yeah, One of the reasons for writing this blog is to show that there's no secret tip or shortcut for improving, But still, some people believe that there is.
Congratulation Bakry We are all in Egypt proud of you and we wish success and success to all people in general and Egyptians in particular. Really i want to be as you oneday in the future. Congratulation again <3.
Thanks!! I hope you reach red oneday!
Congratulations to you Bakry!!
I am already following the similar mindset , in my journey till now I have failed multiple times (you can see ) but everytime I stood up and I had some new learnings . I can see result now , I am progressing slowly but definitely and yeah there is no secret ,it is hardword,dedication and consistent practise.
It is ovious that a peson who has solved more harder problems than you will have a better rating than you , so my goal now is to solve more harder problems and not higher rating :),because if we focus on problems our rating will improve in long run .
Thanks!!
Yeah, I saw your graph, and you're progressing.
Good luck with your training!
Bow down to your persistence. ORZ
I often feel the same way but cp is just to fun for me to stop grinding.
gg bud, always feels great to reach a goal after working hard for it :)
Thanks Ari!! :D
Congratulations !! Your story is so motivational !! Wish you reach higher soon !!
Thanks!!
Congrats to you)
Thanks!!
A blog with ZERO downvotes.
respect++;
That's my man! Great great job dude!
Thanks!!
"there's a light at the end of the tunnel if you keep practising"
Sometimes you have to let your eyes adjust to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Awesome post!
Thanks!!
I also took quite much time to reach pupil which made me think that I cannot reach higher ratings. But after reading this you gave me motivation that I can achieve higher ratings.
Ya correct , everyone starts at a different starting point , I hope to reach cm within a year , currently getting frustrated with the semicolons (The habit of python is bad for cpp code :}).
i am also upsolving a bit ;]
accounts like these are a inspiration to me that even a gm can stay in newbie for some time , then just with practice he improved , so only sheer effort is enough . wish me luck!!
Good luck! :D
Congratulations Bakry!!!
I also do not have a mentor or coach, but now I am very motivated and will fight for the red in the future
Thanks!!
Congrats bro!
Thanks!!
good job, 2600 when
Thanks!!
2600 Is ImpossibleCongrats!! it's the best motivational blog i ever read thank u
Thanks!!
Congrats man,u just motivated me
Thanks!!
Congrats!
Thanks!!
Congrats! Hope I'll be red soon xd
Thanks!! I hope you reach red soon!
In hindi your username means GOAT.
Wow!
What's make your journey more inspirational is that you took 75 contests to came out of div3 range. Congrats!
Thanks!!
Congrats!!! s' a really cool story to accomplish after efforts!!!
Congratulations, well deserved!
This is really a very good post about the whole journey. Thanks for posting this, I've been stuck in the 1500-1600 range for a long time, about the loose hope, but Now I think I can still do it.
Once again thanks for posting this. It means a lot to many people.
Hey, you did really good in your recent contest, like ~1700 level performance, keep that up for another few contests and you will hit 1700+! Good luck!
Thanks!!
what is your profession bro Bakry ?
I'm still in school.
what is your profession bro @bakry
OMG!! Thank you very much!!! <3 <3
Congrats!
Thanks!!
That's real inspiration!!!
Thank you for this and congratsss <3
Thanks!! <3
Congrats man and thanks for the motivation
Thanks!!
Congrats, well deserved!
Thanks!!
Congrats!! And thank you for the inspiring post!!
Thanks!!
congrats bro, well deserved.
Thanks!!
Thanks bakry >> This blog came in time ... I hope to you more success my brother .
Thanks!
we need youtube channel for adivces .
There're already many youtube channel and blogs that contain many advices.
congrats
Thanks!!
Congrats!!
Thanks!!
Congrats!!
Thanks!!
Congratulations buddy! Such an inspiring story.
Would be very interesting in reading your full journey of CP if you could write a blog on it.
Thanks!! I think there're already inspiring full journies of CP, like Arpa's journey :D
I'm writing my story. You can follow them here.
Yeah, I'm following them. They're really inspiring.
congrats! Inspiring for Newbies :)
Thanks!!
Congratulations, Really Inspiring!
Thanks!!
congrants man! Thank you for showing it's possible
Thanks!!
congrats Bakry <3
Thanks!! <3
Bakey orz
I will do it too
wow man..u've really put a lot of efforts into this....well deserved!!
I would like to ask something.....i've always had this doubt that how do you increase your rating after a specific point..like when u're an expert u're mostly capable of solving abt. 4 questions in div.2 rounds ....how do u go beyond then..i.e., if u've doubts in higher level questions then there is no source of clearing that except editorials and how do u manage to learn complex topics...is it cp algorithms? I believe levelling up after reaching expert does take a lot of effort and time.
Usually, editorials if enough. If the editorial isn't clear, I check comments under announcements or comments under editorial.
I check CP algorithms, and If I don't understand the topic, I just search for it on google. Most topics have many blogs about them.
so inspiring!! congrats, I hope to join the reds club too! good luck everyone! And don't forget to have fun and enjoy the journey! :)
Thanks!!
Congrats bakry, I need to ask you some questions
what is your's road map ?
if i want to represent Egypt in ioi t have mush time to improving my self ( i am 16 years old )
( I know my English was so bad )
Thanks!! There're already many blogs with ways to practice. You can search for them. Good luck!
Inspiring Bakry!
Congratulations and thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Thanks!!
Congrats to you ❤️
Thanks!!
Congrats bakry ❤
Thanks!!
These days its possible for all users!
enjoy the red
Just magic can make one be red too.
congrats :)) thanks for sharing
Thanks!!
Congratulations!❤
I hope you will become LG soon (✿◕‿◕✿)
Thanks!!!
At this moment, Red isn't impossible for anyone xD
By the way, Congratulations on your achievement!!
Thanks!!
congrats bro, I don't know you personally, but i keep watching you for 2 years ago and i'm realy happy to you because you finally nailed it, let's keep going for positive progress.
Thanks!!
one day..1001
Good luck!!!
Really motivating thank you. I will work as hard as possible to reach this red color oneday.
Good luck!
I wish you become a legendary grandmaster as soon as possible
Thanks!!
congratulations
Thanks!!
CONGRATS ! :)
Thanks!!! :D
This is very inspiring ! congrats
Thanks!!
[Deleted]
The amount of inspiration in this story is unbelievable! Congratulations, Bakry. You are amazing, keep going! :D
Thanks!!! :D
Congratulations Bakry you inspired more and more, Luck of the best man
Though it's very late, but congratulations! I have just started with CP. I'm gonna take a ss of this and read it everyday at least for once, so that I don't lose my motivation! XD
Giving him the 2000th upvote but honestly motivates me a lot and i promise I'll be a red coder one day
Sorry for late reply but Congrats sir very happy for you :). The blog really motivated me.
I'm in same zone currently, I salute your patience as it give me lots of motivation, and and hope that I can also be red one day, or may be the "color rank" doesn't matter if I have enough knowledge to try to solve some of the most complex problems.
Thanks and congratulations
Congratulations bro