Hi CodeChef community,
I’ve been thinking about how most beginners (including my past self) approach DSA —
we focus heavily on speed, number of problems solved, and ratings.
But over time, I’ve realized that:
- DSA is more about forming clear mental models
- Understanding constraints deeply before coding
- Slowing down initially to think better, not faster
Speed seems like a by-product of clarity, not the starting point.
I wanted to ask:
- Do you agree that beginners should prioritize thinking over speed?
- How did your problem-solving mindset change as you improved?
- What habits helped you think more clearly during contests?
Looking forward to learning from your experiences.