Competitive programming is something I always heard about but never really understood until I joined Codeforces around 5 months ago. For those who don’t know, Codeforces is one of the most popular online platforms for programming contests and practice problems. When I first landed on the site, I was overwhelmed. Thousands of problems, hundreds of contests, and a colourful rating system — it felt like entering a completely new city without a map. But over time, I started to find my way.

My First Steps

I began by exploring the Problemset. This section contains problems of all difficulties — from beginner-friendly to mind-bending. As a newbie, I stuck to the easiest problems and slowly moved up.

Then came Contests. Participating in my first live contest was both thrilling and nerve-wracking. The timer, the scoreboard, and the rush to solve problems before the deadline — it’s an adrenaline rush like no other.

My Stats So Far

Problems solved: 33 (and counting) Current rating: 732 (Newbie) Best streak: 4 days in a row solving problems Languages used: Mostly C, with some C++

Some days I get an Accepted (AC) in one go. Other days, I face a wall of Wrong Answers before finally finding the bug. But every mistake is a lesson.

What I Love About Codeforces

It’s free — anyone can join, practice, and compete. The community — problem editorials, discussions, and helpful tips from experienced programmers. The rating system — a clear way to measure progress and set goals. The variety of problems — it’s impossible to run out of challenges.

Lessons Learned as a Newbie

Read carefully — Many of my wrong answers came from misunderstanding the problem. Test locally — Check your code with your own inputs before submission. Don’t panic — A wrong answer is just part of the process. Practice regularly — Even one problem a day can make a difference.

Final Thoughts

Codeforces is more than just a website; it’s a place where programmers from all over the world meet, compete, and learn together. My journey has just begun, and InshaAllah, I plan to climb from Newbie to Pupil and beyond. If you’re also starting out, remember — every great coder was once a newbie. Keep learning, keep coding, and most importantly, enjoy the process.