Hello Codeforces,
Its been an year now since I am doing competitive programming. I practice daily, solve questions but still can’t solve Div2 Cs or problems with rating >=1400. Perhaps the reason is I try to prove everything, Never assume anything. But since I love it, even the easiest problems, I enjoy doing them..
Sometimes it feels lonely because cannot give enough time to family and friends as giving most of the times practicing virtual contests, thinking about solutions and all.. Currently, I am just solving Div2 contests and try problems only till C.. doing 2 contests daily and upsolving problems till C.. hope that perhaps in a few months.. will be able to figure out problems till C.. Maybe it happens with everyone... At last want to say that I will continue doing this with full motivation,, but will hope that I will get results.. Just wanted to share my story, giving all my time to codeforces.. that’s how much I love it.
Comments and suggestions are welcome .. Also want to ask if this is the right strategy or should I change it because I’m not getting results?
Are you trying Div 2. C's and reading their editorials?
Doing virtual contests is not a bad training method. The only strange thing is that it took you so long until participating in your first ever rated contest. Did you perform much worse in it compared to your virtual contests practice? Was it just a bad luck? Or were you too nervous? Either way, the sample set is too small and I would suggest you to try a few more rated contests before jumping to any conclusions.
Trying too hard -> 272 problems in one year? Seriously?
Right? and it's typical of those who won't look to learn and gain experience more, but think of improving as some objective "xyz number of problems" target. The thing also is that unless someone is actually enthusiastic about this, they will eventually just stop before the point of getting better to the level they set themselves for.
Well, unlike you, the blog author seems to enjoy solving competitive programming problems. Or at least that's what he claims.
I think that doing two virtual contests per day with upsolving up to problem C is a pretty intensive training for a beginner. He might be indeed trying too hard. And I see that he is actually already unable to keep up with this schedule. But this is not surprising.