How do I break plateau?

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nolanh08     2015-08-22 21:44:07

I started programming about 3 weeks ago and have solved(ineffeciently) 45 tasks on Codeabbey. Upon attempting more problems, I have realized I have reached a peak. How can I break this plateau? Are there any concepts in particular I can read up on?

I am getting mildly frustrated with myself for struggling with some of the problems now. I am beginning a Computer Science 101 course this semester, by completing 45 problems on Codeabbey, have I covered most of the material I will encounter this semester?

Thank you!

MontBlanc     2015-08-23 07:46:17

Hello,
I don't know about your course, as I don't study computer science. But if I have one piece of advice, I think you shouldn't consider solving problems like a race. At least, not on this website. Rather, just try to think the steps to solve the problem thoroughly, while taking the necessary time.
Some problems you will take 2 minutes, others you might think for more than a hour.
There's nothing wrong with that.
Lastly, if you have attained a plateau, that's when the real challenge starts. So you should be excited, because you will really learn when you solve a problem from now on.

Matthew Cole     2015-08-27 04:47:26

Nolanh08,

I do study Computer Science, but to echo what MB said, I can't tell you whether you've covered most of the material in your upcoming studies. I will say that 45 problems in, you've probably created a strong foundation for learning whatever is on your syllabus through a combination of your lectures that you will attend and reviewing your textbooks/class notes/etc.

I will also add to what MB said in that you shouldn't think of this as a race, but a journey. Some problems will take longer than others. The problem I just solved took over two weeks (part of that is balancing my own studies in class as a graduate student versus my desire to finish CodeAbbey problems! ;) )

Additionally, what you're encountering is a very important skill in your studies: recognizing similarities in problems to problems that have already been solved. I don't know what problem you're looking at, but I can say with confidence it probably has been solved already, you just have to figure out what it's called in the literature. The good news is that the harder the problems fall, the more thrilling the feeling of victory when they do fall. Keep at it!

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