Bootcamp: The Gateway to Joining NSUPS
NSUPS is a community passionate about algorithms and problem solving. We specialize in competitive programming, an engaging extracurricular activity and mind sport popular among programmers, particularly computer science students. We train newcomers through the NSUPS Bootcamp and develop core members through dedicated advanced training. Bootcamp graduates can become NSUPS members and participate in highly competitive inter-university programming contests with limited slots allocated to each university.
How Can I Join NSUPS?
The Bootcamp is the primary pathway to join our community for any student. You must successfully complete the bootcamp program and fulfill specific criteria, including the graduation contest, to become a core member of our community.
What Is NSUPS Bootcamp?
NSUPS Bootcamp is a focused and intensive training program introducing competitive programming and problem-solving fundamentals to complete beginners. Spanning an entire semester, it’s led by senior NSUPS members. The program includes week-long contests, weekly contests, and weekly instructional classes. Our goal is to discover and nurture new talent, provide foundational knowledge, and guide students toward becoming self-directed learners while integrating promising students into the core NSUPS community.
When will the next Bootcamp Season starts?
Keep an eye out for announcements about the next Bootcamp season on our NSUPS Facebook Page. Announcements are typically made during semester breaks, right after final exams.
What are the prerequisites to join?
- Active Student: You should be an active NSU student from any department (no gatekeeping; all majors are welcomed).
- Basic Programming Knowledge: You should have very very basic programming knowledge like input output, if-else condition, for/while loop and function in any language like C, C++, Java or Python. You will usually know it if you have completed CSE115 in NSU or have a similar level of efficiency in a language. (Note: Don’t worry if you don’t know the topics as you can just learn it if you have the willpower to invest some time on these topics.)
- Willingness to Learn: You should be willing to dedicate time and effort to improve your problem-solving skills throughout the bootcamp.
What is Vjudge?
Vjudge is a contest hosting site which has a collection of all the problems from most of the online judges. We will arrange all of our contests on this website. So please register here: https://vjudge.net/. You’ll also need to provide the username of your Vjudge account during the registration of Bootcamp.
What is Prebootcamp Contest?
To ensure you have the basic input/output techniques mentioned previously, we arrange a contest called the Prebootcamp Contest. The link to this contest is provided with the Bootcamp announcement. You can start solving prebootcamp problems even before receiving your NSU email for registration.
How to Get Started
A. Registration
- Fill out the registration form: Fill up the registration form within the deadline using NSU edu email.
- No payment needed—it’s completely free! 💸❌
- Note: If you are a fresher and still haven’t got your email, you can start solving the Prebootcamp Contest Problems and register later on.
B. Pre-Bootcamp Contest
- You’ll receive a link to a pre-bootcamp contest on platforms like VJudge
- Solve as many problems as you can before the deadline. This assesses your readiness and filters in those who show promise
- Check the contest standings and compare your progress—friendly competition fuels motivation!
C. Selection Contest
- If you pass the pre-contest criteria, you’re invited to an on-site selection contest (date/time announced later)
- This final test decides the official Bootcamp roster. Bring your A-game—and a charged laptop
Why Join?
- Skill Development: Learn Data Structures and Algorithms through weekly lectures covering Time Complexity, STL, graph algorithms, number theory, and more
- Authentic Contest Experience: Weekly mini-contests simulate real competition environments, while week-long contests provide ample time to learn and implement new concepts
- Community Building: Connect with fellow problem solvers, share ideas, engage in discussions, and potentially form lifelong friendships
- Career Preparation: Build a strong foundation for technical interviews and real-world coding challenges
- No Cost: Zero fees required—just bring your dedication and determination to challenge yourself
Tentative Schedule of Our Training Sessions:
THESE SCHEDULES ARE HIGHLY TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
- Class Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Friday) [onsite]
- Contest Time: 2:40 PM – 5:30 PM (Friday) [onsite]
5. What to Expect in Bootcamp 📚
- Weekly Lectures on key CP topics:
- C++ STL deep dives
- Searching & sorting
- Greedy strategies
- Graph theory essentials
- Number theory tricks
- Weekly Contests for rapid-fire practice
- Virtual Week-Long Contests to consolidate learning
- Stage-wise elimination—keep up or kiss the Bootcamp goodbye (kidding… mostly)
- Graduation Contest to showcase your glow-up
6. Community & Resources 🌐
- Facebook Group: Connect, ask questions, share resources
- Discord Server: Real-time chat for quick help and discussions
- CP Practice Platforms: VJudge, HackerRank, Codeforces, etc.
7. After Bootcamp 🎓
- Join NSUPS Core Team: Contribute by mentoring newbies or organizing events
- Participate in external contests: Represent NSU in national/international CP contests
- Resume boost: Add “NSUPS Bootcamp Graduate” to your CV—impress recruiters in Bangladesh and beyond
8. FAQs ❓
Q: Do I need to pay any fee?
A: Nope, it’s totally free—just time and effort.
Q: What if I have zero CP background?
A: Brush up basic loops and arrays, then give the pre-contest a shot. Even if you don’t make it first try, feedback will help you improve for next season.
Q: Where do I ask questions?
A: Jump into our Facebook group or forum. The community’s super supportive!
Q: How much time should I commit?
A: Aim for 10–20 hours/week. Consistency beats cramming every time.
Ready to Level Up?
Grab your laptop, fuel up on caffeine (or tea ☕), and hit that registration form. See you in the Bootcamp! 💪