I have to appreciate the intelligence of top notch CS school students. I once took the equivalent class in CMU and couldn't even complete the first assignment. Forgot which one but the last problem is too hard for me.
Then I realized I better just study whatever I'm interested in and go back to algo if needed.
A reasonable person may ask whether a student's inability to complete the first assignment is a failure of the student, or of the support structure (materials, lecture style, any applicable TA)
Then I realized I better just study whatever I'm interested in and go back to algo if needed.