HandlerOfDragons123's blog

Competitive Programming Big Hurdle
By HandlerOfDragons123, history, 4 years ago, In English

My parents stopped letting me do competitive programming until I get all 98%+ in school which is impossible because some teachers are very hard (AP Physics C average quiz grade 70%). I love competitive programming with all my heart, and it is what motivates me in everything. I hold it very dear to my heart.I love it; I don't think any words can express it. Graph Theory, DP, etc--all give me joy. I've been waking up at 6am and going bed 11pm to do it. I put my heart in it.

However, my parents do not agree with it and compared it to Fortnite. They said I'm wasting my time and that school is great and I should do more schoolwork. Neither of them have any experience with competitive programming and have no idea what they're talking about. It's my passion, and I want to pursue it further. How do I convince them? I've tried explaining but they think schoolwork is great and are very adamant. I even showed them William Lin's video on how he went from F to MIT (I am not getting Fs FYI I have all 95s). No avail. They are very stubborn in this. I even tried asking them for only 14 hours a week on CP, but they said not even a contest a week.

Please give me advice; I would do anything to continue practicing competitive programming.

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

Comments Comments (50)
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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -8 Vote: I do not like it

I'm also facing this problem. My parents told me to stop cp from October.

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +125 Vote: I do not like it

why not just do it without their knowledge

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    4 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +100 Vote: I do not like it

    This is both the best and the worst answer.

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    4 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +12 Vote: I do not like it

    because I have a brother who is going to tell my parents if he sees me doing it...and my brother enters my room every 2 minutes to annoy me.

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      4 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +52 Vote: I do not like it

      Why not do it so your brother can't see it? You don't need to implement stuff, just think.

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        4 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it +8 Vote: I do not like it

        For the time being, I have been thinking, but in the long term I'd like to eventually do actual contests and do some implementation.

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          4 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it +73 Vote: I do not like it

          Barricade the door and say you are concentrating on your studies

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            4 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it +64 Vote: I do not like it

            Why I feel like I'm surrounded by 10 year olds Ms and GMs

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          4 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it +37 Vote: I do not like it

          Write codes in notepad with light theme and no fancy syntax highlighting and say you're writing notes for classes at school.

          Then submit codes when no one is looking.

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            4 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it +39 Vote: I do not like it

            You forgot to add that you should change to times new roman font to make it look totally legit

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              4 years ago, # ^ |
                Vote: I like it +33 Vote: I do not like it

              If there's too much whitespace so it looks obvious that it's code, just do

              #define theMitochondriaIsThePowerhouseOfTheCell int

              or something

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      4 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +6 Vote: I do not like it

      Just complain about him to your parents that he's not letting you focus by constant distraction.

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      4 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +116 Vote: I do not like it

      catch him watching porn and record it!

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        4 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

        Yes then your parents will not listen to him.

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          4 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it +6 Vote: I do not like it

          No but he can blackmail his brother so he doesnt complain to parents. A mutual agreement.

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        4 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

        Username checks out

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4 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +48 Vote: I do not like it

I had the exact same problem last year as a junior in high school. And honestly, it's very difficult to explain to parents the importance of ECs for colleges in relation to course grades. Sure GPA is important, but is it worth sacrificing all of your time for that 4.0? I think not.

If I were you, I would show them the profiles of people who get into the top 5 or top 10 school: a considerable number of people who are accepted do exceptionally well in olympiads and oftentimes don't have the strongest GPA or SAT score. Just something to try with your parents in case nothing else can convince them.

I feel your pain, and I hope you succeed!

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

Umm should we really have to compile all the benefits of doing competitive programming? I mean a blog with all the people who have done it and what they have gained from it. Actual substantial results would be a proof to people that CP is useful.

I think that should be enough. Just saying that something is your passion and then expecting people to understand that, doesn't work very well. I know it'd be great if people just understood and appreciated our passions, but that's just the way it is.

So, what I would do in your situation is collect actual results. Factual results with proof, of all the good that CP can bring to your life. That will make your argument stronger, and put you at a better position, than just "passion".

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +40 Vote: I do not like it

Try telling your parents in a very polite manner that they are dumb and know nothing about life.

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +22 Vote: I do not like it

Code in school, study at home.

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +6 Vote: I do not like it

sleep in the morning wake in the night so that they cant see you just say i like silence that came in night.And i think your brother will be sleeping at that time too.

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +4 Vote: I do not like it

I am in third year of my undergraduate now and my parents still think I am wasting time doing cp all day. Though they don't intervene on what I do, they just think I am wasting time doing these and should study the semester subjects :(

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +70 Vote: I do not like it

I am a father myself and i wish my kids would grow up doing CP and skip schoolwork.

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

Maybe this can give you some courage to fight for your dream : https://youtu.be/DQ4IU6D7YwY

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    4 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

    This video had me wondering what are actually my wishes. Am I actually enjoying all this or not? I'm confused now. I wish I could un-see this video. XD

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

I think you should show them that there are maths behind it, because cp is basically math. CP requeires wheeey more thinking than Fortnite, games are just entartainment, which doesen't estimulate your brain, while CP estimulates your brain, increase problem solving skills and math abilities. They are quite right that you should also study other things besides CP, but banning you from doing CP is a bit exaggerated. That may convince them.

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +6 Vote: I do not like it

To such stubborn parents there is either you make them agree or just abide by their rules till you can be independent.. (Honestly I couldn't bear to have such obstinate parents)

Perhaps discuss with them the perks of doing competitive programming and lay emphasis on getting a software related job aspect.

Also one way is to fake it that you are into doing schoolwork and maintain your results. (As to how will you do it is for you to think)

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +54 Vote: I do not like it

When they enter the room switch to porn.

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +12 Vote: I do not like it

and compared it to Fortnite

One is a sport widely recognized across the world for its needed knowledge of math and programming

The other is a video game where you build walls and shoot at people

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4 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +14 Vote: I do not like it

I even tried asking them for only 14 hours a week on CP,

Ask for 40hrs, the power of ling ling may be with you.

For people who don't understand, just search for TwoSetViolin

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +8 Vote: I do not like it

Ask them if they know how much software engineers are getting paid at google/facebook and other large tech companies. If they don't know, show them this chart: https://www.levels.fyi/charts.html

If they are forcing you to be a doctor/lawyer/whatever, just tell them you will be making way more than them with way less schooling. Tech companies don't even care about your education credentials as long as you can pass their interviews. Those interviews are just easier versions of what you're practicing now!

Anyway just ignore your parents and keep doing what you're doing. They will shut up very quickly once you get your first internship and make more than them.

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

You should always listen to your parents, if they say stop CP then stop CP. If they say to jump in a well and die then jump in a well and die.

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    4 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

    Yes i agree, i also think your parents are saying right thing to do ...and if you really want to do cp then just try to convince your parents that everyday you will be studying this much hours of physics(school subjects) and then continue with cp.

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    4 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +27 Vote: I do not like it

    I think its his father

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

Just use your cellphone to read problems and solutions. If you can't code, then better keep yourself think, since implementing a solution is just a small part in programming.

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +8 Vote: I do not like it

You can do this, it works every time :)

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +21 Vote: I do not like it

This is so sad, you should just tell your parents to fk off and then leave home, go to a charity shelter to survive and steal a computer, join a competition with prize money, win the competition and show your parents and then tell them to shut up and never compare freaking fortnite to cp, absolutely disgusting, also keep all the money to yourself. Use the money u earned to pay back the computer and bribe local authorities, you'll be good with your life for not. I can tell you all this because I did all of that

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    4 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +4 Vote: I do not like it

    I have respect for my parents, and I'm grateful for them. I just want them to see something that they currently aren't seeing.

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

You can ask your school teacher(if he/she is techie) to council your parents.

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

I can't believe it is happening.

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4 years ago, # |
← Rev. 4   Vote: I like it -22 Vote: I do not like it

i was thinking about your scenario(thankfully my thoughts werent needed to be brought to life) when i had lot of F marks in the end of the semester in my school(including maths lmao) and the only thing i have came up with is solving problems with my smartphone(if you have no smartphone you can go get a job which is like 15h/week or even less, to open codeforces you can buy used low-end smartphone from someone in your city for 50$, its not that much of a workhours in your country i bet) and solve problems without attempting to submit it, just thinking about the problem and trying to reach the solution in your mind(cuz lmao who would try to submit problems via smartphone are u dumb or what lol), if they leave you with no internet you can also get a mobile internet like 4g/what which costs not more than 10$/month in your country i think.

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

I'd say- just show them the cf community! So many people like Gennady, Petr, Kevin, David, Kamil, Lawrence, Alex, etc are just legends who're doing so well in their life outside of competitive programming. Also, the culture here of trying to educate people(by putting up videos and/or writing blogs), and spreading knowledge is pretty unparalleled. This should do , and if they still don't understand, show them this blog, xD.

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