On the 18th of October 2025, our team ReidInjection had the privilege of participating in ReidXtreme 4.0, a well-recognized competitive programming competition organized by the UCSC ACM Student Chapter and the IEEE Student Branch of UCSC. It was a day full of intensity, logic, creativity, and pure problem-solving energy — and I’m proud to share that we secured 3rd Place in the competition. 🏆
This achievement is special to me because it was my first-ever Competitive Programming (CP) competition. I entered not just to compete, but to learn, challenge myself, and step outside my comfort zone.
And it was absolutely worth it.
The Journey & The Team
Our team, ReidInjection, consisted of:
- Tharusha Jayasooriya
- Yasiru Lakintha
- Myself, Induwara Uthsara
From the very beginning, we had one thing in common: we loved solving problems. During the competition, we communicated continuously, shared ideas, divided tasks, debugged failures, and encouraged each other under time pressure. That teamwork was our real strength.
I’m truly grateful to both of them for their dedication, patience, and positive energy. It was teamwork at its finest. 🙌
So, What Exactly Is Competitive Programming?
Competitive Programming (CP) is a mind sport where participants solve algorithmic and mathematical problems under time constraints. Problems often involve:
- Data structures
- Algorithms
- Logical reasoning
- Optimization
- Clean, efficient coding
Platforms like Codeforces, AtCoder, HackerRank, CodeChef, and LeetCode host regular contests where thousands of participants worldwide compete live.
But the real outcome isn't just ranking — it's thinking.
CP teaches you how to:
- Break down complex problems into smaller steps
- Recognize patterns hidden in logic
- Optimize your thinking under pressure
- Write clean, fast, and efficient code
These skills are extremely valuable in software engineering, AI, research, and real-world system design.
Why I Recommend CP (Even If You Don’t Plan to Become a "CP Person")
You don’t need to be a competitive programmer for life.
But learning CP changes how your brain solves problems.
It helps you:
✔ Think more clearly
✔ Debug faster
✔ Communicate solutions better
✔ Understand how computers work at a deeper level
This isn't just coding.
It's structured thinking.
How to Start Learning Competitive Programming (Beginner-Friendly Path)
If you're new, here’s a simple roadmap:
Step 1 — Learn a Programming Language
Recommended for CP:
- Python (easy to start)
- C++ (powerful, fastest)
- Java (balanced)
Step 2 — Learn Basic Concepts
Start with:
- Variables & loops
- Arrays & strings
- Functions
- Basic mathematics
Step 3 — Move to Core Algorithms
Learn step-by-step:
- Sorting & searching
- Time complexity (Big-O)
- Recursion
- Greedy algorithms
- Dynamic Programming
- Graphs (BFS, DFS, shortest path)
Step 4 — Practice on CP Platforms
| Platform | Level | Why Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Codeforces | Intermediate–Advanced | Real CP environment |
| LeetCode | Beginner–Intermediate | Helps with interviews |
| AtCoder | Beginner–Advanced | High-quality problems |
| HackerRank | Beginner | Easy to start |
Step 5 — Join Competitions
Don’t wait to be “ready”.
Join. Fail. Learn. Repeat.
Competition pressure teaches what tutorials can’t.
What I Learned From My First CP Competition
- Stay calm under pressure — Panic doesn’t solve problems.
- Read the problem carefully — 2 minutes of clarity saves 20 minutes of debugging.
- Team synergy matters — Communication is as important as coding.
- Don't chase only difficult problems — Solve what you can, then move forward.
- Consistency beats talent — Small daily progress → huge improvement.
Looking Forward
This competition isn’t just a milestone, it’s the beginning of my CP journey.
There is so much more to learn, explore, and achieve.
And if you're reading this and wondering whether to start competitive programming —
start today. Even 20 minutes a day can shape your thinking in ways you’ll appreciate for years.
Thank You
- To my teammates — for the journey and the fun.
- To organizers — for creating a platform to learn and compete.
- To everyone who supports and inspires continuous growth.
Here’s to more learning, more challenges, and more wins. 🚀🔥