Greetings everyone!!

It's been a year since I started coding and it's been 6month since I started dreaming for IOI gold.

About how did it happen(in short) : First I was learning to code so I can make games but later on I got in a trap and started solving problems. Day by day I solved more and more problems and before I knew solving problems become part of my daily life. Then I heard the word IOI and right after knowing about it it's became my dream to get a gold IOI. (Everything is ok!!).

Here comes the dark part : At the beginning it felt like just a matter of time(cause around me and in my country there aren't many junior coder like me). But now, the higher I get the more it feels like out of my reach. It's like getting a gold in IOI 2025 is impossible for me. Cause getting a IOI gold while you're a Pupil(after giving your all) in CF is just not possible.

There was a battle in my mind : I only have 8-10 month before IOI2025 should I have to give up? Should I start getting prepared for IOI2026. I still have so many chances(As I'll only be a 9th grader starting 2025).Bla..bla..bla.. At last I came with an answer : Nope there still a chance let's take it and give my all.

Now why I need advices(a pupil should know how to guide himself) : I saw this year the average CF rating of gold medalists is 2469 and minimum 2029. My target is to reach at least 2100+ before IOI 2025(Which is kind of impossible. But, I still want to try as I have so much free time). I know how hard it is as I'm stuck in Pupil for almost 4month. I'm going to take a break for 1week(cause my annual exam just finished and I'm so tried) and restart everything. I've been grinding hard from 6month ago but, I feel like I didn't do it in right way. So, this time I want to do hard work in a way that will pay off.

That's the whole story now here my request : (If you have experience of participating in IOI) OR (like me after doing 1H of work in 10H and realizing If I knew it earlier I wouldn't have wasted my time) OR (have some way for newbie like me to improve as fast as possibly) please share it. After the end of my 1week break I will sort out every advice I got and make the ultimate road for getting a gold in IOI2025.

(Thanks in advance and sorry for my poor English in advance)