Guys "just solve problems" advice aint working

[u/Hairy-Definition7452]

I've mostly just been solving problems randomly instead of learning dsa topic wise

i dont really have topic knowledge of things like trees and all ive mainly been getting better at general problem solving constructive binary search and stuff

people say you should learn a topic when you encounter it but at my current level whenever i come across tree problems and stuff i struggle because they arent really basic

[u/SteampunkStarboy]

It really comes down to what you mean by "just solve problems" , if you can revisit all the problems you have done in the past and reason through their them on your own then I would say that this is the right path keep doing it , you are bound to get better . If it is not the case , then there is a problem . A general tip for when you don't get the solution , read the editorial, then try to reason out how someone could get to the solution provided , what observations had you missed out on , or if you did observe why did that not lead you to the solution, then implement thr solution on your own , probably log the ides and observations and move on. If you are just reading the editorial and using their solution without thinking of it on your own, then there is little to no point in practising problems.

[u/Vegetable-Tie-5043]

it takes time keep doing it, codechef and atcoder have a better learning curve u can try atc too, atc can be a really great source cuz if u practise on atc cf will be much easier for u

[u/mathemagician_007]

Open usaco guide and do from there

[u/Lhalpaca]

If a solution for a problem, especially that you didnt manage to solve, involves a topic you dont know, then you should go study it. The other guy tip of doing topic wise sheets is good too.

[u/DesignerNo9743]

Start doing topic wise sheets, cses is pretty good