I Couldn't Solve the Easiest LeetCode Problem in 6 Hours

…when I first started solving algorithmic problems. I remember struggling to understand the concepts, spot patterns, and use the right data structures. It was overwhelming.

In the beginning, LeetCode felt like a constant source of stress. I would sit in front of my monitor for hours, stuck, not knowing where to start. I kept asking myself: "How are so many others getting it, and I can't figure this out?! It’s supposed to be easy!" Every day felt like a battle, and I considered quitting more times than I can count.

But the desire to see my profile filled with green squares and the goal of being able to solve medium-level problems in 10-15 minutes kept me going. The journey wasn't easy, but persistence was key.

I pushed through.

#HabitBuilding #MorningRoutine #PersonalDevelopment #Productivity #SelfImprovement #Leetcode #Java

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@LeetCodin

I Struggled with Data Structures Early On

When I first started solving LeetCode problems, I had no clue which data structure to use.

I couldn’t write one from scratch, nor did I understand how they worked under the hood.

This lack of understanding meant I didn’t know the time or space complexities of different operations.

I couldn’t spot patterns or solve problems efficiently.

But here's what helped: I focused on learning a little about data structures every day.

That steady accumulation of knowledge made all the difference.

Now, I know how to choose the right data structure for the task at hand.

So, if you're feeling stuck, don’t worry—you can do it too.

Start small, be consistent, and the results will come

#HabitBuilding #MorningRoutine #PersonalDevelopment #Productivity #SelfImprovement #Leetcode #Java

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@LeetCodin

The best advice I received for learning Data Structures

...was to build them from scratch.

Literally!

I started by understanding how they work, inside and out. Based on that, I began implementing them on my own.



Take a simple Singly Linked List, for example. I learned that:

- It’s made up of nodes.
- Each node points to the next one.
- Each node stores a value.

From there, I wrote the code for it. I practiced iterating through the list.

So, the next time you're struggling with a Data Structure, just:

- Understand how it works.
- Build it yourself.


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How to Truly Memorize a Pattern

… live through it.

Many bloggers on Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) I watched suggest spending 30 minutes to an hour on a problem.

If you can’t solve it in that time, they recommend checking how others approached it.

That’s solid advice because you can learn new patterns.


But here is the catch!


Looking at solutions before thoroughly attempting the problem and optimizing it yourself won’t lead to long-term understanding.

You won’t truly memorize the solution or recognize patterns unless you struggle through the problem first.


My advice? Take your time.


Spend as much time as you need trying to solve it on your own. Resist the temptation to look at solutions too early.

If you can’t crack it today, step away and try again tomorrow—and the next day, and the day after that

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I can't sit still and focus for an hour

… you might think.

Here’s something interesting: if I start my day using my smartphone, with all the notifications on, or check social media during that first hour, my ability to focus is weak for the rest of the day.

Can you relate? Drop a comment below if you’ve noticed the same ⤵️ .

The best way to avoid this? ➡️ Remove distractions.

Turn off your phone.
Leave it in another room.
Don’t touch it during the first hour of your day.
And avoid social media during this time, too.

Done? How’s your focus now?


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Use Flashcards to Improve Memorize Data Structures

When you're first starting out, it can be hard to spot patterns in coding problems, even after you've gained some experience solving LeetCode challenges. You might struggle to remember all the Data Structures and how to apply them to different problems.

One helpful strategy is to create flashcards for each Data Structure and its functionality. Once you’ve read a problem, you can quickly go through your cards to see if any of the Data Structures apply.

Over time, you’ll naturally start combining Data Structures and recognizing patterns without needing the cards anymore.

Why not give it a try?


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You will read and understand code faster

… if you tackle one LeetCode problem every day.

That’s how it works.

You will experiment with different approaches and algorithms.
You will learn how to combine them to solve problems.
You will write a lot of code.
You will start to recognize patterns.
You will debug without a debugger.

You will become a debugger.

And that will make your comprehension faster.


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