Competitive programming can be challenging, and many participants fall into common pitfalls that can hinder their performance. One major mistake is not reading the problem statement carefully. Many competitors rush to code without fully understanding the requirements, which can lead to incorrect solutions. Always take your time to comprehend what is being asked, noting constraints and examples. Another common issue is misusing data types. For instance, using integers to store values that exceed their range can lead to overflow errors, while using floating-point numbers can introduce precision issues. Ensure you're using the appropriate data types for your calculations, especially in problems involving large numbers or precise arithmetic. Ignoring edge cases is another critical mistake; problems often include special cases that can break your code if not considered. Test your solutions against boundary conditions and corner cases. Lastly, failing to optimize your solutions can be detrimental. A brute-force approach may work for smaller inputs but can time out for larger ones. Always analyze your solution's time and space complexity and strive to improve them. By avoiding these common mistakes, you'll enhance your chances of success in competitive programming.