From Beginner to Advanced Programmer: My Journey to Success in Competitive Programming
Last Updated : 02 Jan, 2025
When I first entered university, I had no idea what to expect. Among a class of 50 students, I quickly realized I wasn’t alone in struggling with the programming challenges we faced. The first Continuous Assessment Test (CAT) results were disheartening. Only three students scored above 20 out of 30. A few managed between 10 and 20, but the majority, including me, scored a mere 2 or even 0 marks.
I couldn’t help but wonder how the top scorers achieved their results. Despite the hints from our lecturer—like "you can't have two classes at the same time"—the concepts remained elusive. No matter how hard we tried, poor performance seemed inevitable. This pattern continued through subsequent tests. To give us another chance, we were even assigned an additional CAT (CAT 3), but the situation worsened. The top students stayed on top, and the rest of us struggled to catch up.
When the final exam approached, I found myself with an overall score of just 2/30, knowing this was my last chance to turn things around. The final exam consisted of 70 questions, each worth one mark. The task felt impossible, but I was determined not to fail.
I decided to dedicate my free time to the university library. Day after day, I picked up programming books, worked through problems, and studied concepts relentlessly. Slowly but surely, my efforts began to pay off. When the final exam results were announced, I had scored an incredible 60 out of 70—a dramatic improvement from my earlier performance.
This success marked the turning point in my academic journey. In the subsequent CATs, I scored a perfect 30/30, and my overall grade soared to 95%. This experience showed me the power of consistent effort and resilience in the face of challenges. It proved that with hard work and perseverance, even the most daunting obstacles can be overcome.
Today, I am proud to be a full-stack software engineer. My journey from a struggling student to a professional programmer has been transformative, shaping my perspective and instilling in me the value of persistence.
To anyone struggling with programming or competitive exams, my message is clear: never give up. Programming is not an innate talent but a skill that can be learned and mastered through dedication and practice. It doesn’t matter where you start; what matters is your determination to improve. Keep pushing yourself, and you’ll achieve success just as I did.
Success in programming isn’t about being naturally gifted—it’s about putting in the effort, persevering through setbacks, and believing in your ability to grow. Keep coding, keep learning, and never stop striving. You’ll get there.
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