Do you need to study leetcode for a year?

I studied leetcode for a year, but do you?

social:

[CreatedByKC]

hey everyone, since this is a common question, I'll answer it in general

This is how i would do it if i did it all over again

1. First learn what all the basic data structures and algorithms are in general, maybe youtube tutorials or a free course online (I'll research more into this, I skipped this step because i took a DS&A course in college)

2. Go through any guided service to drill in the fundamentals for DS&A (algoexpert, CTCI, whatever you want). My favorite was Elements of Programming Interviews in Python, and at the beginning of the book they have a "recommended questions" list based off your time frame. Honestly all those questions are gold, so pick the one that gives a time frame of about a month (it'll cherry pick about 5-6 questions per chapter) and do all the questions and make sure you understand them.

3. Last, just do leetcode questions. Skip the hard ones for now, and just do as many 'medium' questions as you can, but focus on really working your problem solving skills for each one. Make sure you record the questions you did, and if you got one wrong, repeat it a couple days later.

[mrowlbert]

I really like the “the final boss is too hard” analogy! That’s exactly how these questions feel when you don’t come at them with strong fundamentals and a good understanding of the solution patterns. Keep the vids coming!

[rishabhanand]

just completing something from start to the absolute finish really helped me get over my procastination. Like it started with video games, and now I make sure my leetcode goals are met of the weekend. Same, after a work day, there's barely any time for leetcode, so it's usually just few problems on the weekend, or best, just give the weekly contest :) . I just decide clear goals, or "minimum" goals for the day and that's it, make sure those are completed. If not, I stay extra time and make sure it's completed

[dkshadow]

You just summed up what I'm going through right now until the 5minute mark. It's scary how similar our thinking is. Everytime one of your videos drop, I know I'm always going to feel better somehow. Thank you for posting

[codethinh]

Love to see the growth in your videos! This man's cranking out quality content stuff quick.

[isaiahparker]

I am currently working my way through the book Elements of Programming Interviews in Java and doing leetcode problems on the side. Thank you for these insightful videos.

[andyzhang]

Hey, I just wanted to say that your channel has been a great motivator for me to get started with learning the fundamentals well. You’re the most human tech guy I’ve met so far

[nelsonzhang]

never have I resonated with a youtube video so much, thanks a lot for your work and honesty.

[AnkitPatel-jgfw]

So genuine. Keep posting and doing the good work

[vorpalchoppers]

Thanks, KC! I've now found where I should begin after almost 3 years of doing one thing and then another.

[curiouspotato-wo]

This really resonates with me about how I've been struggling to get started on leetcode and software dev interviews. Thank you for sharing your valuable experience with us and how you've overcome your struggles. Really appreciate your content.

[qazaqempire]

most crucial questions:
1.what is your strategy to approach medium hard leetcode? - do u set a timer, try problem for 20-30min(aka simulating real interview) then look up solution if can't solve?
or do u just put the problem away and try another one?

i honestly cant solve hard leetcode! i m 90% sure i will face it during interview. what is my strategy? i ve been prepping for about 7mo. I still have lots of leetcode hards to do, should i just try them, then look up solution, then memorize solution/pattern?

[niharikapatil]

I feel it's okay to take more time to get through leetcode. I've been trying for longer than you were and still not able to get it through interviews. Although I'm def getting better. I relate to you a LOT. Feel I'm exactly like you. But I feel like the most imp thing I learnt. Leetcode has helped small aspects of my personality which I feel will be more important in the long run like my patience, persistent, delayed gratification. I feel the same as it is for you. I also used to get inspired by these "Study smart not hard" type of videos, but Leetcode has helped me focus on developing my craft regardless of the result. I feel like even if you took a year, you were able to improve on your discipline and avoid procrastination.

[ajjo]

This is the second video of yours that I watched and the parts about procrastination, looking at the top 1% software engineers and feeling incompetent and feeling stuck in the tutorial hell loop instead of trying to tackle hard problems head on is all so relatable. Subscribed already.

[sofiachalkias]

Darn, me saying "wow, that's literally me" after every line. So glad I found this video!

[msd]

My god Kevin, your story is so similar to mine. I'm in the process of grinding leetcode too but everything is SO hard

[hoyinli]

Really appreciate you sharing your story! I was "ignited"!

[kyoungjunhan]

Really appreciate your honesty man..
As a person trying to break into tech industry without a CS or related degree, learning about other people's experiences really makes me feel assured that it is up to how much of dedication I put in, instead of other external factors like degrees.

[morrisanthony]

Glad to finally find an average programmer like me, not struggling to choose between $200k FANG offers, 6 months before graduation :P

[TheZhouh]

nice one, hope you get more subscribers