Data Structure and Algorithms: How I Went from Beginner to Professional in 2 Months
Published: 2023-05-13 19:04:38

1. Introduction

I started my DSA journey 2 months back with hardly any knowledge of the subject. I was fed up with my current situation and decided that I need to do something about it quickly. I started researching on the internet and came across a lot of resources. I started practicing for 6 hours every day and within 2 months, I had completed my DSA course.

https://unsplash.com/@jstrippa

https://unsplash.com/@jstrippa

2. DSA course completion

My DSA course completion was a big success for me. The 2-month period with 6 hours of daily practice was a challenge but it paid off at the end.

In the first month of my course, I didn't get any success due to a lack of proper knowledge. I was struggling with the concepts and my progress was really slow. But with my perseverance and daily practice, I was able to understand the basics in the second month and that's when my progress shot up.

When I look back, I feel really happy as two months ago I was wrong about the topics I was studying. But I kept a positive outlook, working hard and believing in my ability, and was able to complete the course successfully.


3. Daily Practice

Daily practice was the key to my success in the DSA course. I made sure that I allocated six hours of daily practice for my course.

I followed a strict routine of 6 hours of daily practice, which included both theoretical and practical sessions. Initially, I was not able to complete the theory in one hour but as I kept this constant, I got used to it and eventually was able to complete the theory in an hour. After that, I then proceed to practical sessions which involved a lot of hands-on exercises and working on real-world problems.

I also took practice tests once a week and revolved my daily practice routine around that test. This helped me to stay focused and also understand and troubleshoot the areas in which I was weak. This comprehensive approach helped me to enhance my knowledge and complete my course in two months.

4. Time Management for DSA preparation

Time management is an integral part of preparing for any successful course, and the same was true for my preparation for the DSA course. Many students are overwhelmed by the course material, and they don’t know where to start. I followed these simple steps to make the most effective use of my 6 hours of daily practice.

1. Break your learning into short chunks of 1-2 hours: Breaking down your learning into smaller units helps to make the learning process less overwhelming. It also makes the material easier to understand and absorb.

2. Prioritize the topics: Make sure you prioritize the topics that need more attention such as data structures and algorithms. Ensure that you are taking enough practice tests to measure your progress.

3. Take Frequent Breaks: To keep your brain fresh and energized, take 5-10 minute breaks in between studying for long durations. This will help you to stay focused and avoid burnout.

4. Eliminate Distractions: Allocate separate time for social media or TV to avoid any distractions when you are studying.

5. Important DSA topics

Though the DSA course covers a vast range of topics, some topics are more important than others. The topics listed below are the most important ones that you should be focusing on while preparing for the exam:

1. Algorithms: Algorithms form the fundamental basis of solving any programming-related problem. Understanding the fundamentals of various algorithms such as Sorting, Tree, Graph, Greedy, Divide, and Conquer, etc. will provide strong foundations for solving any data structures related problems.

2. Data Structures: Data Structures are important to store and organize data efficiently in memory. Mastering the fundamentals of Stack, Queue, Linked List, Tree, Heap, etc. is essential for mastering the algorithms.

3. Graph Theory: Graph Theory is one of the major topics in DSA which is often tested in the exams. Mastering the concepts of traversals, minimum spanning trees, shortest path algorithms, and other graph-related algorithms will prove to be very useful during the exam.

4. Mathematical Techniques: Applying mathematical techniques to solving complex programming problems is a key skill to master in DSA. Be familiar with various mathematical properties, theorems, and proofs to solve the DSA problems efficiently.

5. Problem-Solving Skills: Perfect problem-solving skills are important to effectively solve any programming-related problem. Applying problem-solving methods like Greedy Approach, Divide and Conquer, Backtracking, Dynamic Programming

6. DSA tips and tricks

Though mastering the fundamentals is essential for acing the DSA exam, certain tips and tricks can help you save time and score better. Here are 6 tips and tricks to help you ace your DSA exam:

1. Solve as many practice questions as you can: Practice makes perfect, and it holds for DSA as well. Make sure to solve as many practice questions as you can to increase your confidence and get familiar with the pattern of the exam.

2. Keep track of changing trends in DSA: DSA is an ever-evolving field, so make sure to keep track of new topics and trends. This will help in understanding the current scenario and tackling new problems with ease.

3. Make notes as you practice: Make notes for every topic you practice. This will help you to recall the solutions at the time of the exam.

4. Focus on speed and accuracy: During the exam, focus on solving the questions accurately and quickly. You should aim to strike a balance between the two so that the accuracy of the solution remains uncompromised.

5. Read the question thoroughly before starting to solve it: Sometimes, a single question contains multiple concepts. Make sure to read the question thoroughly before you start solving it. This will also save time in the long run.

6. Don’t get stuck on a single question: If you are stuck on a certain
question, don't waste too much time on it. Move on to the solution or try to solve the question in a subpart as we do in Recursion.

7. conclusion

After 2 months of dedicated practice, with 6 hours set aside daily, you should be able to ace your DSA exam. There are some tips and tricks that can help you score better, such as solving as many practice questions as you can, keeping track of changing trends in DSA, making notes as you practice, focusing on speed and accuracy, reading the questions thoroughly before starting to solve it, and not getting stuck on a single question.

Overall, acing the DSA exam requires dedication and focus. With a systematic approach to learning, you can be sure to put your best foot forward and prepare yourself for a successful DSA exam.

Tip :

Lastly, being interview-ready is not a one-time achievement but a continuous pursuit. Technology companies, especially those in the FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google) bracket, have rigorous interview processes that often include technical coding assessments. By maintaining a consistent practice routine, you ensure that you are always prepared for potential job opportunities and technical interviews that may arise.

In summary, completing a DSA course in two months is a significant accomplishment, but it is important to remember that the learning journey doesn't end there. Continuous practice, daily problem-solving, and staying up-to-date with the latest developments are essential to becoming an interview-ready DSA expert. By embracing a growth mindset, dedicating time to practice, and consistently challenging yourself, you will not only excel in technical interviews but also become a highly skilled and sought-after developer in the field of computer science.