Hello Codeforces,↵
↵
Let me start with confession: I feel I suck at competitive programming. ↵
↵
This is kind of embarrassing, because I work as software developer for over 10 years!.↵
↵
Despite the fact I feel really comfortable with C++/implementation, even easy "observation" or "ad hoc" problems are often difficult for me. I can usually solve A and B during contest — but slowly. Doing C is waaay beyond me.↵
↵
As I'm writing this, I've solved ~270 problems on CF plus ~50 more on other platforms.↵
This includes most of A2OJ "ladder" that targets C level.↵
I believe this amounts to 600-800 hours of dedicated practice.↵
↵
Result? I'm still Pupil. ↵
I've reached Specialist, but not for long, so it was more like luck that real achievement.↵
↵
When I see ratings of other people, rarely I see someone stuck at Pupil level for so long.↵
It seems so easy for many people to reach Specialist and beyond.↵
↵
So I wonder, is it time to give up my ultimate goal, which is Expert?↵
↵
If someone invested, lets say, 800h hours for focused CP practice and still Pupil... ↵
should "total lack of CP talent" be declared and is it time to move on?
↵
Let me start with confession: I feel I suck at competitive programming. ↵
↵
This is kind of embarrassing, because I work as software developer for over 10 years!.↵
↵
Despite the fact I feel really comfortable with C++/implementation, even easy "observation" or "ad hoc" problems are often difficult for me. I can usually solve A and B during contest — but slowly. Doing C is waaay beyond me.↵
↵
As I'm writing this, I've solved ~270 problems on CF plus ~50 more on other platforms.↵
This includes most of A2OJ "ladder" that targets C level.↵
I believe this amounts to 600-800 hours of dedicated practice.↵
↵
Result? I'm still Pupil. ↵
I've reached Specialist, but not for long, so it was more like luck that real achievement.↵
↵
When I see ratings of other people, rarely I see someone stuck at Pupil level for so long.↵
It seems so easy for many people to reach Specialist and beyond.↵
↵
So I wonder, is it time to give up my ultimate goal, which is Expert?↵
↵
If someone invested, lets say, 800h hours for focused CP practice and still Pupil... ↵
should "total lack of CP talent" be declared and is it time to move on?