🔥 My LeetCode Experience: From Fibonacci to Dynamic Programming 🔥
When I first started tackling LeetCode problems, even the basics like Fibonacci and Two Sum felt like climbing a mountain. But with consistent practice and a structured approach, I began to see patterns, improve my problem-solving skills, and build confidence. Over time, I explored advanced topics like recursion, backtracking, dynamic programming (DP), union-find, and tree-based algorithms, solidifying my understanding of data structures and algorithms.
Here’s how I transformed my LeetCode journey from overwhelming to empowering—and how you can too!
🚀 My Process for Solving LeetCode Problems
1️⃣ Read the question twice
- First, read to understand the problem.
- Second, read to identify inputs, outputs, and edge cases.
2️⃣ Brainstorm multiple approaches
- Think about brute force first, then optimize.
- Consider time and space complexity for each approach.
3️⃣ Think end-to-end
- Visualize the flow: inputs → processing → outputs.
- Anticipate edge cases (e.g., empty inputs, large datasets).
4️⃣ Write a clear algorithm
- Pseudocode or step-by-step plan before coding.
- This helps avoid getting stuck mid-implementation.
5️⃣ Code the solution
- Start with the simplest approach, then refine.
- Keep the code clean and readable.
6️⃣ Analyze the approach
- After solving, reflect: What worked? What didn’t?
- Could the solution be more efficient?
7️⃣ Explore alternative solutions
- Look at other submissions or discuss with peers.
- Learn from optimized solutions to improve your skills.
🔥 Lessons Learned Along the Way
✅ Consistency beats intensity
- Solving a few problems daily is better than cramming.
- Small, consistent efforts compound over time.
✅ Pattern recognition is key
- Most problems fall into familiar categories (e.g., sliding window, two pointers, DP).
- Recognizing these patterns speeds up problem-solving.
✅ Failure isn’t the end—it’s a lesson
- Debugging and learning from mistakes is part of the process.
- Every error is an opportunity to grow.
💡 Why I Keep Going
A couple of months ago, seeing a wall of errors was frustrating. Today? It’s just another puzzle to solve. Progress isn’t always about getting the right answer immediately—it’s about learning how to think.
I used to struggle alone, thinking I had to figure out everything myself. But I’ve realized that struggling endlessly isn’t a badge of honor—learning is. Ask for help, debug, optimize, and repeat.
Every problem solved is a step forward, and I’m here for the grind. 💪🔥
🛠️ Tools and Resources That Helped Me
- LeetCode Discuss Section: Great for understanding alternative approaches.
- NeetCode: Structured problem sets and video explanations.
- Cracking the Coding Interview: A classic book for mastering DSA.
- Visualgo: Visualizing algorithms made concepts click for me.
🌟 My Progress So Far
- 148+ problems solved, ranging from Easy to Hard.
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Concepts mastered:
- Dynamic Programming (Knapsack, Coin Change)
- Graph Traversal (BFS, DFS)
- Tree Algorithms (BST, Trie, Heaps)
- Sliding Window, Two Pointers, and more!
🚨 Final Thoughts
LeetCode isn’t just about acing interviews—it’s about building a problem-solving mindset. Whether you’re just starting or already deep into your journey, remember: progress takes time, but every step counts.
Keep grinding, keep learning, and most importantly, enjoy the process!
What’s your LeetCode journey been like? Share your tips, struggles, and wins in the comments below! Let’s grow together. 💬👇
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