Four years ago, I embarked on a journey to master Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA). At the time, I didn’t realize the impact it would have on my coding skills, problem-solving ability, and overall mindset as a developer. What started as a way to improve my fundamentals has turned into an obsession with breaking down problems and solving them effectively.
Three years ago, I discovered LeetCode—a platform that would become my primary battleground. Through hundreds of coding problems, countless hours of debugging, and a ton of 'aha!' moments, I’ve learned more than I ever thought possible.
500 Questions Completed 🏆
Today, I’m proud to say I’ve completed 500 LeetCode problems. Here's a breakdown of my progress so far:
- Easy: 146 questions
- Medium: 281 questions
- Hard: 73 questions
It’s been an incredible journey of growth. Each category of problems has taught me something different:
Easy problems: Helped me cement my understanding of basic data structures and algorithms. These were the building blocks that allowed me to develop a strong foundation.
Medium problems: This is where I truly started to see growth. These problems challenged me to apply my knowledge in more complex and practical scenarios. I began to see patterns emerge and learned how to optimize my solutions.
Hard problems: These are a different beast altogether. Every hard problem was like solving a puzzle that initially seemed insurmountable. However, as I worked through them, I learned the importance of patience, persistence, and taking an analytical approach to break down seemingly impossible problems.
What’s Next: Going Full Rogue for the Next 30 Days 🔥
While I’ve accomplished a lot so far, I’m far from done. My goal for the next 30 days is to go all-in and push myself to the limit. Here’s my plan:
Complete 60 more Hard Problems: Tackling hard problems has been incredibly rewarding, and I want to finish another 60 before the month is over. I know it’s going to be tough, but I’m ready to face the challenge head-on.
Revise What I’ve Learned: With 500 questions under my belt, it’s important to revisit and reinforce the concepts I’ve already covered. I plan to spend time reviewing my previous solutions, refining my understanding, and ensuring I have a solid grasp on the different approaches I’ve used.
Focus on Weak Areas: As part of my revision, I’ll be identifying areas where I’ve struggled in the past and dedicating time to improve. Whether it’s dynamic programming, graph theory, or advanced tree problems, I want to make sure I’m well-rounded across all topics.
Why I’m Doing This
So why push myself so hard? For me, DSA isn’t just about getting better at solving coding problems—it's about becoming a better thinker. It’s about improving the way I approach complex situations, both in code and in life. Mastering these concepts gives me the confidence that I can tackle any technical challenge thrown my way.
In addition, I’m also preparing for future career opportunities. Companies increasingly prioritize strong problem-solving skills, and having this experience under my belt gives me a competitive edge.
The Final Stretch
The next 30 days are going to be intense, but I’m excited for the challenge. I’m committed to going full rogue—no distractions, just pure focus on mastering these final 60 hard problems and revisiting everything I’ve learned so far.
I’ll be sharing updates on my progress, along with any insights I gain along the way. If you’re also on a DSA journey or looking to start one, feel free to follow along. We can motivate and learn from each other!
Stay tuned for updates—and if you want to check out my LeetCode profile, here it is: Starkprince. Let’s do this!
TL;DR: After four years of doing DSA and three years of grinding on LeetCode, I’ve solved 500 problems—146 easy, 281 medium, and 73 hard. Over the next 30 days, I’m going full rogue to finish 60 more hard problems and revise everything I’ve learned so far.
Let’s crush it together! 💪
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