HosseinYousefi's blog

Becoming IM by 2020
By HosseinYousefi, history, 5 years ago, In English

Hi CF community.

I'm registered in Codeforces for more than 6 years. I did ~100 contests, and yet I'm an expert, my max rating is for 4 years ago. I'm not consistent with my training, I train one month before each ICPC regional and then I let it go, after failing to go to world finals I tell myself that I'll train the next year but I don't! I almost never upsolve any problem after the contest ends. I lose my motivation if I do badly in a contest or two (even if it's because of the contest itself).

See, I recognize the problem and I also know the solution: train consistently, upsolve, etc. I always knew the solution and yet I never act on it.

But enough is enough. I have only 2 more years to participate in ICPC. I have decided to train harder and more consistent, but in order to stick to my goal, I want to share it. (although it's not a great idea, I think it works for me)

I want to become an International Master by the end of 2019, meaning I want to have a max rating >= 2300. I know it is a really really hard goal to achieve in a year, but I want to commit, no matter what.

I'm starting with a rating of ~1800, and I want to post contents regularly to update you about my training, my progress and the cool ideas/problems that I come across during my training, so stay tuned.

Any hint, tip or advice is highly appreciated.

Cheers!

  • Vote: I like it
  • +164
  • Vote: I do not like it

Comments Comments (28)
| Write comment?
»
5 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

That what i tried to do 2 years ago...

→ Reply
»
5 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +21 Vote: I do not like it

You can make it. cheers.

→ Reply
»
5 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

Best wishes!

I also want to become a Master by the end of this year.

Hope we can both achieve our goals.

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

Good luck!

→ Reply
»
5 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

I think you already got the right idea, but I just want to point that out: as I see from your submission history, you should never leave the problem you didn't solve during the contest (and get WA etc) unsolved. As soon as you got motivation for that kind of work, you gotta be alright.

→ Reply
»
5 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +88 Vote: I do not like it

Is it a motivation? Promise us to upload your photo with pink hair if you don't achieve your goal. This is the motivation.

→ Reply
»
5 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +116 Vote: I do not like it

At first I thought this was a joke and thought 2020 is like 10 years from now. we're getting old

→ Reply
»
5 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -56 Vote: I do not like it

You can't

→ Reply
»
5 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +4 Vote: I do not like it

All the Best.

→ Reply
»
5 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +66 Vote: I do not like it

First of all, break your psychological boundaries.

Believe that you can do it — "Fake it until you make it."

Secondly, do a lot of analyses. I'm sure that self-analysis will improve you a lot (ask yourself such question as — "why didn't I solve this problem?", "how I came up with this solution?", "why does it work? How to prove it?").

Last but not least, solve problems that you can't solve. By solving similar problems you will not discover new techniques, methods, etc. So solve problems that are higher than your level.

Be positive, patient and good luck in your endeavors ;)

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

this is the secret of bicsi e-maxx.ru :)

→ Reply
»
5 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +17 Vote: I do not like it

In August 2018 I failed to reach the regional contest, so I decided to work hard to get a max rating >=2000 before the start of the next ACM contest in my university in May 2019, currently I am 1982 and my max was two months ago 1983 I hope to reach my goal in the next round :D

→ Reply
»
5 years ago, # |
← Rev. 3   Vote: I like it +4 Vote: I do not like it

If you can make it,you can take it.

→ Reply
»
5 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +4 Vote: I do not like it

tip: set a username like mine :P

→ Reply
»
5 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

Good Luck

→ Reply
»
5 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +66 Vote: I do not like it

I think rating is bad goal. If you want to set a goal, start with what you can work now. e.g) Solving 1000 problems, solving CF problems of total rating weight 1000000, solving all AGC ABCD problems, or similar things with OI checklists, and so on

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    5 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +6 Vote: I do not like it

    Can we check total rating weight of problems we solved?

    → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      5 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +17 Vote: I do not like it

      Maybe you can make a note. Btw, I think options on Atcoder / OI checklists are better in terms of usability and problem quality.

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

    Great idea! I'll definitely consider a goal like that. You're right, rating is more like a motivation although I phrased it as a goal.

    → Reply
»
5 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

Good Luck, @Swift. Be patient and inshall you will achieve your goal :)

→ Reply
»
5 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

All the best!

→ Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +14 Vote: I do not like it

:(

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +94 Vote: I do not like it

    I understood that I don't enjoy the journey as much as I enjoyed the result. Being an IM sounded nice to me at the time but actually training and solving problems were not as enjoyable. In the future I will be less result oriented (IM by time X) and more journey oriented (10 hours a week training).

    I failed but I learned a lot from this, so I'm happy overall :)

    Cheers!

    → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +31 Vote: I do not like it

      I quite enjoyed my journey, but unfortunately I suddenlly lost motivation after I became master. It seems to me that after a certain level, too much effort is needed for too little improvement.

      → Reply