This may offend some, but I'm not worried about that. I became blue within 3 months of starting competitive programming and have hit red since then. On the other hand, I'm seeing some people who have never been able to surpass 1400 despite, on the surface, clearly practicing frequently and consistently solving problems higher than their rating--sometimes for an entire year or longer, which should have easily put them into at least blue by now, in my opinion.
So, out of genuine curiosity for people who fall into that category, please comment: what are you doing? For example, how are you practicing, what is your mindset (in general, on competitive programming, on your rating, etc.), how long are you thinking on each problem, etc.? I'm curious to see if there's some pattern preventing people from improving.
My name is Yoshikage Kira. I'm 33 years old. My house is in the northeast section of Morioh, where all the villas are, and I am not married. I work as an employee for the Kame Yu department stores, and I get home every day by 8 PM at the latest. I don't smoke, but I occasionally drink. I'm in bed by 11 PM, and make sure I get eight hours of sleep, no matter what. After having a glass of warm milk and doing about twenty minutes of stretches before going to bed, I usually have no problems sleeping until morning. Just like a baby, I wake up without any fatigue or stress in the morning. I was told there were no issues at my last check-up. I'm trying to explain that I'm a person who wishes to live a very quiet life. I take care not to trouble myself with any enemies, like winning and losing, that would cause me to lose sleep at night. That is how I deal with society, and I know that is what brings me happiness. Although, if I were to fight I wouldn't lose to anyone.
Killer Queen has already touched the post.
Your "hit red" means your max rating is 1746?
Over 2800, actually.
So you have another account?
You are lying
could you maybe share what you did to reach blue so quickly? it would help people who are stuck ig :)
Yes. During my first 3 months, I spent my time learning the basics (first ~12 chapters of Competitive Programmer's Handbook). I also solved about 80 problems on the CSES problemset to apply what I learned. At the same time, I practiced problems on Codeforces and participated in every contest I was eligible for. I consistently upsolved 1-2 problems after every contest. I also solved problems in the 1600-1800 range, needing to look at editorials at first, but relied on them less over time until I didn't need them at all.
Isn't the whole point that you already had some experience in this before entering CP, even if it was a study? Many people I know go to school and it can be really hard for them to understand and consolidate basic ideas. Even if they solve the problem in a long time, during the tour it must be solved in time.
what is red in your definition
you know why
it is obviously because iq is real and most people are midwits
it is not very polite to reveal to people that they have no non-trivial worth beyond their animality in any system which rewards intelligence, so i have downvoted your blog
based, I have also issued him a downdoot