3 answers
Lakhan
Student
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
2
Questions
Asked
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How to prepare DSA effectively for college placements?
I regularly solve questions at leetcode,but when i try to solve the same problem weeks later,i forget the main logic behind problem,what should i do to grasp effectively(i do revision,pls notice).
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3 answers
Dan Wolf
Retired Electrical/Software Engineer and part-time College Professor (BSEET and MS Engineering Management)
129
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Dan’s Answer
I think this is a very good question about something that affects most software programmers.
1) Your memory will improve as your experience expands. The more you work with a subject (or related subject), the more competent you will become. A general guideline is that expertise is achieved after repeating something 10,000 times so it’s not likely to occur weeks later after a couple of problems.
2) When it comes to software, the addition of meaningful comments in the code will greatly improve understanding and clarity in the future. The key is that the comments must describe the purpose of the software, not necessarily “what the software is doing”. This will encourage you to better understand the logic at time of creation as well as in the future when you must modify the software. There are plenty of tutorials for writing good software comments on the internet that you should read.
1) Your memory will improve as your experience expands. The more you work with a subject (or related subject), the more competent you will become. A general guideline is that expertise is achieved after repeating something 10,000 times so it’s not likely to occur weeks later after a couple of problems.
2) When it comes to software, the addition of meaningful comments in the code will greatly improve understanding and clarity in the future. The key is that the comments must describe the purpose of the software, not necessarily “what the software is doing”. This will encourage you to better understand the logic at time of creation as well as in the future when you must modify the software. There are plenty of tutorials for writing good software comments on the internet that you should read.
Tony Sugent
Software Engineer
1
Answer
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Tony’s Answer
I used to have this same issue. The only way to really get passed it is to get better at breaking down what you’re actually trying to do to a step by step basis and then for each step start thinking about what tools you have in whatever language you’re using.
Jordan DeAndrade
Student
2
Answers
Taunton, Massachusetts
Updated
Jordan’s Answer
To prepare effectively for DSA (Data Structures and Algorithms) for college placements and to retain the logic behind problems, consider the following strategies:
Understand the Concepts Deeply: Instead of just focusing on solving problems, spend time understanding the underlying concepts and patterns. Try to break down why a particular solution works and how it can be applied to similar problems. This deep understanding will help you recall the logic later.
Practice Variations: After solving a problem, look for similar problems or variations. This will reinforce the concept and help you recognize patterns, making it easier to remember the logic.
Teach What You Learn: Explaining the problem and solution to someone else, or even to yourself, can solidify your understanding. Teaching forces you to think through the logic and ensures that you grasp it fully.
Use Spaced Repetition: Continue revisiting problems at increasing intervals. Tools like Anki can help with spaced repetition, which is proven to aid long-term retention.
Create a Problem-Solving Journal: Document the key logic, patterns, and mistakes you encountered while solving each problem. Writing things down in your own words helps reinforce memory. You can also refer back to this journal when you revisit the problem.
Focus on Core Problems: Identify and master a set of core problems that cover different patterns and concepts. These serve as anchor points that you can relate other problems back to.
Review and Reflect: After revising, reflect on what you still find challenging or tend to forget. This will help you identify weak areas and focus your revision efforts more effectively.
Engage in Mock Interviews: Practicing problems in a timed, interview-like setting will not only prepare you for the actual placements but also help you better retain and recall information under pressure.
By combining these strategies with regular practice and revision, you'll improve your ability to grasp and retain the logic behind DSA problems, which will be crucial for your placements.
-Jordan
Understand the Concepts Deeply: Instead of just focusing on solving problems, spend time understanding the underlying concepts and patterns. Try to break down why a particular solution works and how it can be applied to similar problems. This deep understanding will help you recall the logic later.
Practice Variations: After solving a problem, look for similar problems or variations. This will reinforce the concept and help you recognize patterns, making it easier to remember the logic.
Teach What You Learn: Explaining the problem and solution to someone else, or even to yourself, can solidify your understanding. Teaching forces you to think through the logic and ensures that you grasp it fully.
Use Spaced Repetition: Continue revisiting problems at increasing intervals. Tools like Anki can help with spaced repetition, which is proven to aid long-term retention.
Create a Problem-Solving Journal: Document the key logic, patterns, and mistakes you encountered while solving each problem. Writing things down in your own words helps reinforce memory. You can also refer back to this journal when you revisit the problem.
Focus on Core Problems: Identify and master a set of core problems that cover different patterns and concepts. These serve as anchor points that you can relate other problems back to.
Review and Reflect: After revising, reflect on what you still find challenging or tend to forget. This will help you identify weak areas and focus your revision efforts more effectively.
Engage in Mock Interviews: Practicing problems in a timed, interview-like setting will not only prepare you for the actual placements but also help you better retain and recall information under pressure.
By combining these strategies with regular practice and revision, you'll improve your ability to grasp and retain the logic behind DSA problems, which will be crucial for your placements.
-Jordan