u/Jealous-Look-7241

I'm currently studying DSA using Striver's A2Z sheet and I'm struggling to decide whether I should be taking notes or not.

For easy problems it's fine (although if it's easy then not much point of notes), but for harder ones, writing down the intuition, dry runs, edge cases, and approach takes a lot of time, which can instead be spent on solving more problems.

Do you guys take notes at all, or just rely on revision and re-solving problems and watching video solutions if needed in future? If you do take notes, what do you write down?

Also, handwritten notes vs smth digital like Obsidian/Notion - which would you recommend?

I'm currently studying DSA using Striver's A2Z sheet and I'm struggling to decide whether I should be taking notes or not.

For easy problems it's fine (although if it's easy then not much point of notes), but for harder ones, writing down the intuition, dry runs, edge cases, and approach takes a lot of time, which can instead be spent on solving more problems.

Do you guys take notes at all, or just rely on revision and re-solving problems and watching video solutions if needed in future? If you do take notes, what do you write down?

Also, handwritten notes vs smth digital like Obsidian/Notion - which would you recommend?

I’m learning web development through a Udemy course, and I’m confused about the “best” way to make notes while learning web dev.

I’m comfortable with handwritten notes, but I’m not sure what’s actually worth writing down vs what should just stay in code/projects/docs.

One reason I want to make notes is because I tend to forget things pretty quickly if I only watch and code along once, so writing helps me retain and revise concepts better. But at the same time, making notes takes time.

For example,

Recently I built a simple HTTP server using Node.js core modules like http, fs, and path.

While building it, I learned things like:

• routing
• request/response handling
• headers & status codes
• MIME types
• reading files with fs
• serving static files
• using res.writeHead() and res.end()
• handling errors like 404/500

Now I’m confused about what’s actually worth writing down.

For experienced devs:

• What do you personally make notes for?
• What should just stay in code/projects/docs?
• Are handwritten notes even useful for coding?
• Is it better to focus on concepts, debugging mistakes, or just build more projects and let repetition do the work?

I’m learning web development through a Udemy course, and I’m confused about the “best” way to make notes while learning web dev.

I’m comfortable with handwritten notes, but I’m not sure what’s actually worth writing down vs what should just stay in code/projects/docs.

One reason I want to make notes is because I tend to forget things pretty quickly if I only watch and code along once, so writing helps me retain and revise concepts better. But at the same time, making notes takes time.

For example,

Recently I built a simple HTTP server using Node.js core modules like http, fs, and path.

While building it, I learned things like:

• routing
• request/response handling
• headers & status codes
• MIME types
• reading files with fs
• serving static files
• using res.writeHead() and res.end()
• handling errors like 404/500

Now I’m confused about what’s actually worth writing down.

For experienced devs:

• What do you personally make notes for?
• What should just stay in code/projects/docs?
• Are handwritten notes even useful for coding?
• Is it better to focus on concepts, debugging mistakes, or just build more projects and let repetition do the work?

P.S. Many people recommend obsidian for note-taking. How useful is that? Should I switch to that entirely to save time and still have some notes for revision?

I’m learning web development through a Udemy course, and I’m confused about the “best” way to make notes while learning web dev.

I’m comfortable with handwritten notes, but I’m not sure what’s actually worth writing down vs what should just stay in code/projects/docs.

One reason I want to make notes is because I tend to forget things pretty quickly if I only watch and code along once, so writing helps me retain and revise concepts better. But at the same time, making notes takes time.

For example,

Recently I built a simple HTTP server using Node.js core modules like http, fs, and path.

While building it, I learned things like:

• routing
• request/response handling
• headers & status codes
• MIME types
• reading files with fs
• serving static files
• using res.writeHead() and res.end()
• handling errors like 404/500

Now I’m confused about what’s actually worth writing down.

For experienced devs:

• What do you personally make notes for?
• What should just stay in code/projects/docs?
• Are handwritten notes even useful for coding?
• Is it better to focus on concepts, debugging mistakes, or just build more projects and let repetition do the work?

P.S. I think some people are misinterpreting my question - my question is from experienced dev but the question is in context of beginners who have just started learning development!

Also I see people recommending Obsidian over reddit, is it actually useful for learners or should i continue using notebook and pen?

Looking for serious people who are studying daily for 6-7 hours or more - LeetCode, web dev, projects, DSA, interview prep, whatever - and want a buddy to stay accountable

We can sit in a meet, screen share while studying, set daily goals, keep each other focused, etc.

Preferably Indians because similar language + timings + same placement/job market struggle.

Looking for people who are genuinely ready to lock in for the next few months, not the ones who disappear after the first conversation

Looking for serious people who are studying daily for 6-7 hours or more - LeetCode, web dev, projects, DSA, interview prep, whatever - and want a buddy to stay accountable

We can sit in a meet, screen share while studying, set daily goals, keep each other focused, etc.

Preferably Indians because similar language + timings + same placement/job market struggle.

And please don’t DM if you’re gonna vanish after 2 days. Looking for people who are genuinely ready to lock in for the next few months.

Looking for serious people who are studying daily for 6-7 hours or more - LeetCode, web dev, projects, DSA, interview prep, whatever - and want a buddy to stay accountable

We can sit in a meet, screen share while studying, set daily goals, keep each other focused, etc.

Preferably Indians because similar language + timings + same placement/job market struggle.

And please don’t DM if you’re gonna vanish after 2 days. Looking for people who are genuinely ready to lock in for the next few months.

Not another dead server with 1000 members and 3 people talking. Small but active servers are welcome.

Looking for active + serious people grinding:

• DSA
• Leetcode
• Web Dev
• Placements
• Projects

Would love accountability/study rooms where people actually sit and work instead of just chatting.

Even better if the server is active throughout the day, not just evenings or night.

If you know a server with a strong “lock in” culture, please drop it 🙏

Not another dead server with 1000 members and 3 people talking. Small but active servers are welcome.

Looking for active + serious people grinding:

• DSA
• Leetcode
• Web Dev
• Placements
• Projects

Would love accountability/study rooms where people actually sit and work instead of just chatting.

Even better if the server is active throughout the day, not just evenings or night.

If you know a server with a strong “lock in” culture, please drop it 🙏

Not another dead server with 1000 members and 3 people talking. Small but active servers are welcome.

Looking for active + serious people grinding:

• DSA
• Leetcode
• Web Dev
• Placements
• Projects

Would love accountability/study rooms where people actually sit and work instead of just chatting.

Even better if the server is active throughout the day, not just evenings or night.

If you know a server with a strong “lock in” culture, please drop it 🙏

Not another dead server with 1000 members and 3 people talking. Small but active servers are welcome.

Looking for active + serious people grinding:

• DSA
• Leetcode
• Web Dev
• Placements
• Projects

Would love accountability/study rooms where people actually sit and work instead of just chatting.

Even better if the server is active throughout the day, not just evenings or night.

If you know a server with a strong “lock in” culture, please drop it 🙏

ECE 2026 grad here.

I recently left an on-campus Business Analyst role after working there for ~7-8 months during my 4th year because I realized I want to pursue software development long term instead of continuing in non-tech.

Current background:

-Know HTML, CSS, JavaScript
-Started DSA (currently around binary search level)
-Planning to focus on MERN/full stack + DSA + projects
-Parents can support me financially for some time as I am back to hometown since college is almost over.

I know the market is rough and quitting without a tech offer is risky, so I’m not looking for validation, just honest perspectives from people who:

- switched from non-tech to SDE
- prepared full-time after graduation
- got off-campus developer roles
- or think this path is realistically difficult from my current position

Main questions:
-How realistic is it to get an off-campus SDE role in the next 3-4 months from where I currently stand?
-What should I prioritize most: DSA, projects, frontend/backend depth, networking?
-What mistakes should I avoid during this transition?

Would genuinely appreciate practical advice from people who’ve switched into tech or hired freshers recently.

Graduating next month and aiming for SDE jobs at MNCs or startups, and preparing actively but it will take time to get job-ready.

Can experienced people tell how many months of gap period after graduation is generally considered safe and does not bother recruiters?

Need advice from experienced leetcoders.

Right now I’ve only covered Arrays, Strings, and Binary Search properly, and I’m solving questions around these topics from Striver’s sheet.

I’ve tried a few LeetCode contests, but usually I can only solve the first question, and sometimes the second if I’m lucky. Because of that, I’m confused whether I should keep participating regularly right now or first finish more DSA topics before taking contests seriously.

What helped you the most in the beginning:

• grinding topic-wise first, or
• learning through contests + upsolving?

Also, at what stage were you when you started seeing real improvement in contests?

Hey everyone,

I’m a 4th year BTech student preparing seriously for SWE roles and looking for a coding buddy/accountability partner with similar goals.

Current progress:

• Following Striver’s A2Z DSA Sheet
• Done till Arrays, Strings & Binary Search
• Learning Web Dev alongside
• Covered HTML, CSS, JS, Git so far

I know I’m much behind compared to many people in 4th year, but I had my reasons. No excuses now though, I’m trying to seriously lock in and stay consistent.

What I’m looking for:

• Someone genuinely trying to improve
• Daily/weekly accountability
• Sharing progress/goals
• Maybe solving DSA together, discussing problems, mock interviews later, etc.

You don’t have to be cracked at coding already. Just serious about improving.

If you’re on a similar journey and want someone to grow with, feel free to DM or comment 😄
(Time zone: IST)

I think I messed up, but also maybe not?

I’m a 21 year old BTech student graduating this year. Got placed on-campus in 3rd year as a Business Analyst. Didn’t really know what the role actually was, but the package looked decent so I just took it.

Worked there for ~8 months and slowly realized — this is not it. It felt like glorified project management: endless client calls, requirement gathering, timelines, user stories… I just couldn’t see myself doing this for the next 10–15 years without losing my mind.

The problem is, my original goal was always SDE/tech roles. I just got comfortable after placement and stopped preparing.

So I quit.

Now I’m one month away from graduating and I have no job. Watching people around me join their companies while I’m back to square one is… not a great feeling.

I don’t regret leaving, but yeah, the uncertainty is hitting now.

Has anyone else taken a similar risk — switching fields after placement or graduating without a job? How did things work out for you, and what helped you get through that phase?