Structure

Daily Study Plan

The question “what should I do today?” should never cost you 20 minutes to answer. Use this as your default weekly template and adjust based on your current stage.

Default weekly template

MondayLeetCode + Resume

›2 LeetCode problems (current pattern)
›Rewrite 3 resume bullets using the X/Y/Z formula
›Review yesterday's wrong answers

TuesdayLeetCode + Applications

›2 LeetCode problems (current pattern)
›Apply to 5–10 jobs with tailored resume
›Send 1–2 recruiter/alumni outreach messages

WednesdaySystem Design + Behavioral

›Read one system design topic
›Write one STAR answer for a behavioral question
›Review any interview feedback from this week

ThursdayLeetCode + Project Work

›2 LeetCode problems (harder variant of current pattern)
›30 minutes on a portfolio project
›Update application tracker

FridaySystem Design + Networking

›Walk through a full system design problem end to end
›Apply to 5 more jobs
›1 follow-up message on any pending application

SaturdayMock Interview Day

most important

›Timed mock interview: 2 LeetCode problems, 45 min total
›Talk through your solution out loud — no silent coding
›Review what went wrong and write it down

SundayReview + Plan

›Review all mistakes from the week
›Identify the weakest pattern and schedule extra time next week
›Plan next week's application targets

Adjust by roadmap stage

Stage 0–1Just starting

Skip LeetCode for now. Focus entirely on resume cleanup and stabilizing your schedule. A bad resume kills your chances before you even get to code.

Stage 2Grinding patterns

Double down on LeetCode. Do 3–4 problems per day. Move through patterns in order. Don't jump ahead to system design until you're solid on arrays, trees, and DP.

Stage 3–4Adding system design

Replace one LeetCode session with system design. Read one building block topic per day. Start designing full systems on Saturdays instead of LeetCode mock.

Stage 5+Actively interviewing

Shift time from studying to applying and practicing. Every interview is data — debrief after every screen and fix what broke.

Non-negotiable rules

✓Block study time on your calendar like a meeting. Unblocked time disappears.

✓Do LeetCode every day you plan to interview, even if only 1 problem.

✓Saturday mock interview is more valuable than 5 more solo practice problems.

✓Track applications every week. If your callback rate is under 5%, fix the resume.

✓Don't skip behavioral prep. It has ended more offers than bad code.

✓One rest day per week. Burnout is a job search killer.

→ LeetCode Patterns → System Design → Track Applications