Sometimes it’s harder to tear yourself away from tasks than it is to solve the tasks themselves, because a non-standard solution might “pop up” at any moment. Therefore, different people handle the need for rest in different ways. Below are four typical CodeForces characters, each of whom has their own attitude toward time-outs between rounds:

Someone who is always online Seems like they have ten CodeForces tabs open simultaneously: during lunch breaks, in class, and even before bed. Do they even take any breaks? Their main principle is: “ It’s better to be intensely focused on something than to do nothing.”

The snack lover ( 5–10 minute breaks ) These participants have the superpower to instantly switch from pressing the space bar to grabbing a sandwich. For them, it’s important to give the mind a short rest so it doesn’t overheat. They believe that a quick dash to the kitchen for a cup of tea can work wonders: after all, your thinking process is more efficient when you’re well-fed and remember to recharge. But they can’t stay away for too long—“ I’ve got to get back and finish the problem, because the rating won’t go up by itself! ”

The charts-and-graphs analyst ( analysis instead of rest ) Umm… They can’t sit idle: the moment they pause, they immediately start dissecting past performances—their own and others’. Their bookmarks neatly arrange pages with statistics and screenshots of previous rounds’ tables. So, by studying rating graphs and other participants’ achievements, these “analysts” practically don’t rest at all. But their motivation soars: “ Look, I can definitely surpass that participant if I solve a few more problems. ”

The time-management master ( really knows how to switch off ) That rare breed of people who can say, “ Okay, I need to clear my head ” and actually go for an hour-long walk. For them, harmony is key: competitive programming is a long race, and you won’t get far without carefully managing your energy. They plan their training sessions in advance, clearly know when it’s time to shut down the brain and get distracted by reading a book or chatting with friends. As a result, they come back to the tasks refreshed and solve them much more productively.

Which one are you? :)