Codeforces Global Round 10 had some really good problems which required deep thinking for Div.2 folks. And, to not able to solve some problems in the start itself is demotivating. I have seen many folks, including my friends, just quitting the round if they are stuck at some problem. Many of you would have done that too.

So, I am writing this to share my experience in this contest. Here's what happened:

1. Problem A was easy, just a little thinking would do. Still, that easy problem took 5 mins and I was already behind the race.

2. I solved B a little early, grabbed the pace and came in the competition. I felt this could be my contest.

3. Spent 30 mins on solving C with 3 wrong submissions. Finally, I did solve it.

4. Spent 70 mins on solving D with 6 wrong submissions. Finally, solved it.

Now, the question is what went wrong for 6 WAs and why I keep trying D. To answer the first question, I did not go through the cases well. I hurried my decisions, came up with a very, very wrong solution, checked sample test cases and submitted them (you can go through my submissions and laugh at me, I won't mind :-)).

Now, why I kept trying D. Two reasons: my friends weren't able to solve E, but they solved D. That gave me hope. And, I wanted to save my rating from falling a lot, so I didn't quit.

So now to the main question, how did I keep my cool?

After submitting 5 WAs on D, after trying various approaches (but fundamentally still wrong), I took a small break like a minute or two. Then, I read the problem statement again as if I was reading it for the first time. I constantly tried to remove the solution I thought from my mind and think of something new. And, I found it!! I found a new way to solve this problem, and there I found my mistake in the former solution.

But, I had another WA!! I was completely demotivated for a second, only to realize I made a silly mistake. I immediately corrected it and submitted it again. And voila!! AC!!

Fact: I saved my rating from -90 to -23.

How can you keep your cool?

The simplest way is to take a minute break and approach the problem from a completely different point of view. It's okay to mess up. It's okay to have such many WAs. Just keep trying. In the end, this is a part of learning as well.

Sometimes, some things just don't strike us. For example, not remembering some rarely used algorithm. It's okay. Just give some time.

1. Take a break.
2. Read the problem statement as if you are reading it for the first time.
3. Jot down all the points and conditions in the problem statement.
4. Think again and do not let your old solution come in the way.

Try this, the next time you face something like this. Stay safe and keep coding!!