How to get Better.

Prerequisite: You should know how to code. If you don't know how to make a Tic Tac Toe terminal game in your preferred language, this might not be for you.

1. Find a platform(s) you like. Some I recommend (arguably from hardcore to beginner-friendly):
   • AtCoder
   • Codeforces
   • USACO
   • Open Kattis
   • CSES
   • LeetCode
   • Codewars
2. Practice problems:
   • Don't get stuck on a problem for more than a couple of hours. (It's ok the read the editorial)!
   • If you can easily solve the problems you're choosing, the problems are too easy.
   • If you get nowhere in the problems you're choosing, the problems are too hard.
   • If you're consistently close to the solution (or solve after a lot of time thinking), keep doing what you're doing.
3. Make sure you do contests, emulating which platform you want to be successful on (mock CF for CF, USACO for USACO).
4. If you need to learn something, try one of these resources (or start scowering Google):
   • USACO Guide
   • CPH
   • CP Algorithms
   • Errichto Algorithms (YouTube)
   Make sure you actually do the problems they suggest for each topic!
5. Stop worrying about how you practice, and start practicing! Any concerns stopping you from practicing is just cope. You will learn the optimal way (for yourself) soon enough. Someone doesn't need to hold your hand in every step (unless you want to pay for a CP coach).

Sincerely,

the specialist