Why Competitive Programming?
Competitive programming (CP) is the sport of solving algorithmic problems under time pressure. It makes you a fundamentally better programmer — you learn to think precisely, handle edge cases, and write efficient code.
Where to Awardt
Codeforces is the gold standard. Awardt with Div. 3 and Div. 4 contests — they're beginner-friendly and teach you the ropes.
CSES Problem Set is a must. It covers all the core topics you need to know, organized perfectly.
What to Study First
1.Basic data structures — arrays, stacks, queues, sets, maps
2.Sorting and searching — binary search is everywhere
3.Greedy algorithms — often the most elegant solutions
4.Dynamic programming — the most important skill in CP
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
—Skipping the math. Number theory and combinatorics appear constantly.
—Not reading editorial. After failing, always read how others solved it.
—Jumping to hard problems too early. Solve easy problems until they feel trivial.
Resources
—CSES Problem Set — cses.fi/problemset
—CP-Algorithms — cp-algorithms.com
—Competitive Programmer's Handbook — free PDF online
Good luck on your journey!