Participating in my first LeetCode contest was a thrilling and challenging experience that I will never forget. As a budding competitive programmer, I had heard numerous stories about the excitement and pressure of coding contests, but nothing could have truly prepared me for the intensity and adrenaline rush that came with my inaugural LeetCode competition. In this article, I will share my journey, from the initial preparation to the final moments of the contest, and the lessons I learned along the way.

Preparation: Setting the Stage

Before diving into my first contest, I knew I needed to sharpen my problem-solving skills and get comfortable with the LeetCode platform. I spent several weeks rigorously practising various types of problems, focusing on data structures and algorithms that are frequently tested in contests. Dynamic programming, graph algorithms, and advanced data structures like heaps and segment trees became my daily companions.

I also participated in mock contests to simulate the real contest environment. These practice sessions were invaluable as they helped me get accustomed to the time constraints and the pressure of solving problems within a limited timeframe. Additionally, I joined a coding group with some friends from my college. We would discuss strategies, share tips, and occasionally compete against each other to keep our skills sharp.

The Contest Day: Nerves and Excitement

The day of the contest finally arrived. I woke up early, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. After a quick breakfast, I double-checked my setup: a stable internet connection, a quiet environment, and all the necessary tools and resources within reach. I logged into the LeetCode platform an hour before the contest to ensure everything was working smoothly and to calm my nerves.

As the countdown timer ticked away, I could feel the adrenaline building up. The moment the contest started, I dove right into the first problem. It was an easy one, a warm-up to get everyone started. I solved it quickly, which boosted my confidence. However, I knew the real challenge lay ahead.

The Problems: Trials and Triumphs

The second problem was a medium-level challenge involving binary trees. Although I had practised similar problems before, the contest environment added an extra layer of pressure. I took a deep breath, carefully read the problem statement, and started coding. My initial solution had a few bugs, and I had to debug it multiple times before it finally passed all the test cases. The sense of accomplishment I felt when I saw the “Accepted” message was immense.

The third problem was a tough one, involving advanced graph algorithms. I struggled with it for a significant portion of the contest. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t come up with a working solution in time. It was frustrating, but I reminded myself that it was all part of the learning process.

As the contest neared its end, I managed to attempt the fourth problem, another medium-level challenge. Although I couldn’t fully solve it, I made significant progress and submitted a partial solution.

Post-Contest Reflection: Lessons Learned

After the contest ended, I felt a mix of relief and curiosity. I immediately checked the discussion forums and the official solutions to see how others approached the problems. Analyzing different solutions provided me with new insights and techniques that I hadn’t considered during the contest.

Reflecting on my performance, I realized several key takeaways:

1. Time Management: Effective time management is crucial. I spent too much time on the third problem, which affected my ability to fully solve the fourth one. Prioritizing problems and knowing when to move on is essential.
2. Debugging Skills: Debugging under pressure is a vital skill. The ability to quickly identify and fix bugs can save valuable time during a contest.
3. Practice and Perseverance: Regular practice and perseverance are the foundations of success in competitive programming. Each contest is a learning opportunity, and consistent effort will lead to improvement over time.
4. Calmness Under Pressure: Staying calm and composed, even when faced with difficult problems, helps maintain clarity of thought and improves problem-solving efficiency.

Conclusion: A Memorable Milestone

Participating in my first LeetCode contest was a memorable milestone in my competitive programming journey. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, from the highs of solving problems to the lows of struggling with tough challenges. Despite the difficulties, I emerged from the experience with a deeper understanding of my strengths and weaknesses and a renewed determination to improve.

I am grateful for the support of my coding group and the resources available on LeetCode, which helped me prepare for this contest. Moving forward, I plan to participate in more contests, continuously hone my skills, and enjoy the exciting world of competitive programming. Each contest is not just a test of knowledge but an opportunity to grow, learn, and become a better programmer.