RecursiveCo's blog

How to avoid getting stuck on easy problems?
By RecursiveCo, history, 10 months ago, In English

In my past few contests, including the most recent one, I have noticed that I keep getting stuck on easy problems which prevents me from being able to devote more time to solving harder ones. For instance, in the last contest, after solving A in 3min, it took me another half hour before I could solve B. However, I was able to solve C only 12min thereafter — which indicates that the cause of my taking too long on B was probably not a lack of skill but is rather due to something else. What strategy should I use to overcome this?

  • Vote: I like it
  • +17
  • Vote: I do not like it

»
10 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +9 Vote: I do not like it

Solve ez problems too once in a while. Like usually before contest just ak some 800s. To gain both confidence and speed. It helped me. You may try too.

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    10 months ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

    Yeah that might work. Perhaps also with 900s or 1000s.

    → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      10 months ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

      Yes sir.

      → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      10 months ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

      Did you see any improvements after trying this?

      → Reply
      • »
        »
        »
        »
        10 months ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

        I don't really know yet. I got positive delta after both rounds when I tried this, but I'm not sure whether it was because of this pre-round practice.

        → Reply
»
10 months ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

Well there could be a number of factors... I face a similar problem sometimes and maybe the cause does not come just from programing. So here is my advice:

-Please don't look at the standings or number of people who solved the problem (the worst feeling is getting stuck on an easy problem and seeing that all your friends did it already :<) -I would recommend reading this article (especially the taking care of yourself part) -Workout? -Make tasty food for yourself? -Hangout with friends? -Try to enjoy your life

(btw all of this is my personal experience in which I sometimes struggle with confidence in doing cf rounds / lose my concentration)

Truth be told, I think the problems from the previous couple of rounds weren't as straight forward as they should be. I try to think that it's ok to fail, it's ok to don't do some easy div2A/B problem you should be able to. What matters is that you don't get discouraged after that bad contest and that you still keep practicing because you like it not because you want that cf rating or that ioi medal.

There will always be another round and another chance that you can try. I think that you can't fail to try. You can only be too lazy.

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    10 months ago, # ^ |
    ← Rev. 3   Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

    "I think the problems from the previous couple of rounds weren't as straight forward as they should be"

    but the difficulties for B and C are still around the same 1000, 1300. Also realised D is always 1900 and above lately. could be ABC requires more thinking now but still solvable just slower, hence less time for D (I haven’t attempted them though just making a guess)

    → Reply
»
10 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +9 Vote: I do not like it

Skip them if you get stuck. I do it a lot and it seems you might benefit from it as well.

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    10 months ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

    Sounds like a useful strategy. I'll try it later today

    → Reply
»
10 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

Same thing happen with me many times. As you can see many big drops in my graph.

→ Reply
»
10 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

I might be a newbie, but I kinda had the similar problem. I practiced a lot of problems around the difficulty of div2c, but never did A and B. Then I did my first contest and got a low placement cuz i only did C. What helped me though was doing virtual contests. They kinda helped me develop the standard ideas used in A and B. Simply upsolving has the same effect.

→ Reply