u/Economy-Attorney3384

Hi all so recently I decided to pick up USACO due to already havingn a pretty solid background in math, algorithims, and Python. However, I don't actually know a lot of Java or C++ (i mean i've coded some apps in Java so I understand some classes and stuff but it's all pretty shaky). What would everyone suggest?

Or can a basic understanding of java syntax get me through USACO (bronze), so there's no speciifc niche java to USACO

And does anyone still recommend C++ regardles? like is it just the best of the holy trinity of coding languages and i shud practice/learn it regardless?

Thanks much appreciation!

What's everyone's opinion on the prevalence of AI in today's modern world with learning Calculus (and harder) topics in math? AI nowadays gives easy answers, or at elast primarily easy answers to most questions, which often times leads people to get use it as an escape from actually thinking critically and understanding the problem.

Has anyone seen AI have a noticeable impact? Or maybe even positive? Curious.

So I used to be fairly good at math. I could solve nearly anything without much studying (alg 2, precalc, etc.) and if a problem was complex, I could usually figure it out. Recently, I've been taking Calc 1, and although I understand everything, I'm almost always failing my tests. For context, I'm taking Calc 1 in one semester, so it's slightly fast-paced.

I think it's a combination of my class and also ast experiences. I failed one test last semester, and it feels like now I'm just stuck in this loop. I study a lot and do practice problems, but my friends who were at the same level as me previously (or even worse) are now doing MUCH better than me. I don't understand -- when I do integration or derivation problems, I always blank and have to move on, but in retrospect, the problems are always SO much simpler.

I've also noticed that I focus on really specific details that aren't related to the math problems. I'm stuck in this "understanding everything exactly" and understanding proofs rather than doing PROBLEMS. I recently tried an "only doing math problems" approach, but my grade has been the same.

I think the issue is my approach to the test rather than my studying, but I'm not sure.

Any help is appreciated!