Hello Codeforces Community,

I’ve been trying to improve my skills and move out of the newbie phase, but I feel stuck. I’ve attempted solving problems that are above my current level, but things often get too complicated, and I end up feeling like I’m back to square one.

Problems in the 1200-1600 range sometimes feel impossible for me, not because they’re too hard conceptually, but because they cover topics I’ve never encountered before. It’s frustrating to keep hitting this wall when all I want is to improve.

I’m not looking for generic advice like “keep practicing” or “just solve more problems.” I’ve been doing that, but it hasn’t been working. I want a clear strategy or actionable steps to break this cycle and start making real progress.

If anyone has been in this situation and managed to overcome it, I’d really appreciate your insights.

Thank you!