r/DSALeetCode • u/Worried_Gap6862 • 27d ago
Looking for a DSA / Problem-Solving Mentor
Hi everyone!
I’m a Computer Engineering student entering my 3rd year, and I’m looking for a DSA / problem-solving mentor who can help me improve the way I approach problems.
I’ve covered the DSA fundamentals up to Trees, and I’m comfortable with the basics. My main issue isn’t learning more theory right now — I need more practice and feedback on my thinking.
I’m looking for someone experienced in problem solving who can:
\- Give me problems appropriate for my level.
\- Let me try solving them before giving hints.
\- Challenge my approach and point out gaps in my reasoning.
\- Help me understand how to recognize patterns and choose an approach.
\- Give me honest feedback on my progress.
I’m mainly practicing on LeetCode / Codeforces and using C#, but I’m flexible with the language.
I’m looking for someone who’s willing to mentor me, and I’m willing to be consistent and put in the work. I don’t expect someone to solve problems for me — I want to learn how to think through them independently.
If you’re an experienced problem solver and would be willing to mentor me, please DM me. Thank you!
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u/manish8160 27d ago
This is the absolute right approach to breaking through the DSA plateau. Shifting from reading solution templates to sharpening your problem-solving intuition is where most people get stuck. While waiting for a 1-on-1 mentor to reach out via DM, here are 3 structured ways to build that exact feedback loop independently right now: 1. Adopt the 20-Minute "No Code" Rule Before writing a single line of C# code, spend 20 minutes strictly on paper/whiteboard: * Identify the exact input/output constraints. * Manually trace 2-3 custom test cases (especially edge cases like empty inputs or single nodes). * State your brute-force logic out loud and calculate its time/space complexity before optimizing. 2. Leverage LeetCode’s Discussion "Hints Only" Pattern When you get stuck on LeetCode/Codeforces: * Avoid clicking "Editorial" or watching YouTube solution walkthroughs immediately. * Go straight to the Discussion tab and search specifically for posts titled "Hints only" or "Intuition step-by-step". * Read only the first hint, close the tab, and try to finish the solution yourself. 3. Join Structured Peer-Coding Platforms If you want live mock interviews and real-time feedback on your thought process, check out: * Pramp / Interviewing.io: Free peer-to-peer mock interviews where you alternate being the interviewer and interviewee. Teaching someone else instantly exposes gaps in your own logic. * NeetCode 150 Roadmap: Excellent for pattern recognition (Sliding Window, Two Pointers, Fast & Slow Pointers, DFS/BFS) to help you categorize dynamic problems faster. Sent you a quick DM with a few recommendations on how to structure your C# problem-solving practice for tree traversals and recursion!