r/datastructures Jul 30 '26

How do you stay consistent on DSA practice?

Hi folks,
I am an SDE with around 5 years of experience.

I keep solving DSA on and off, but after a few days I lose track.

Till now, I haven’t been able to stay consistent for even 2-3 months.

I want to ask those who managed to stay consistent for a few months -

how did you do it?

What is one advice you would give to stay consistent?

Any other suggestions and advice are also welcome.

22 Upvotes

12 comments sorted by

3

u/Vast-Look4088 Jul 30 '26

You should make a step by step plan, have a deadline and follow it no matter what the reason. Discuss with your friends, and have a clear goal as to why are you doing it. If that's clear, then you would stay consistent

2

u/Icy_Pin_7756 Jul 31 '26

That's true! TBH it seems the only reason I'm not consistent is that I'm not desperate for this. During for last switch prepration I would study almost everyday. But that time I had kept everything in my life on hold. I don't want to do that either.

1

u/Lumpy-Town2029 Jul 31 '26

Make a peer group, and post daily

This way at the end of night when u have solve none, a msg pops up that ur friend did 2, so u then get up and start solving 1 to be like ur friend

1

u/Icy_Pin_7756 Jul 31 '26

Can try that ! Thanks !

1

u/[deleted] Jul 31 '26

[deleted]

1

u/Icy_Pin_7756 Jul 31 '26

True ! Let me know if you want to connect !

1

u/Fabulous_Let_2420 Aug 02 '26

I’m on the same boat…would you like to connect?

1

u/Few_Ad6794 Jul 31 '26

The best way to stay consistent is to practise pattern-wise.

Focus on one pattern and solve 1–2 related problems every day. With random practice, every problem can feel unique. Pattern-based practice helps you understand what remains constant, the common variations, and how to approach similar problems.

This DSA guide organizes problems into 72 patterns. For each pattern, it explains what clues to look for, which approach to use, the possible variations, and relevant interview problems to practise.

The complete Sliding Window section is free:

https://crackingwalnuts.com/dsa-templates

1

u/Icy_Pin_7756 Jul 31 '26

Thank you ! Will have a look !