My First Year in Tech

Introduction

Hello everyone! I am Tamojit Mandal currently pursuing a B. Tech in Computer Science and Engineering. I am currently in 2nd year and in this blog, I am sharing my past 1 year in tech journey. As I am from a computer background, I know only Python and MySQL. After the competitive exams, I had enough time to do many things but I wasted the time and before joining the college I started learning Java and C.

After watching various hacking movies and playing PC and mobile games, I considered becoming a hacker or a game developer. However, I realized that game development requires a strong understanding of physics, and since I’m not very confident in that subject, I set that idea aside.

In this one year, I have learned and explored many new things. Here's how my journey began:

September, 2023

This month was very interesting and exciting for me. I went to college for the first time and there I made new friends and met some studious and encouraging seniors. As a new to tech I had no idea about the paths like web development, App development, or AI/ML and I had no proper roadmap. Arindam Majumder & Swapnoneel Saha and other seniors suggested a roadmap for the next 4 years. Their advice motivated me to start learning and exploring new topics.

October, 2023

I got familiar with Git and GitHub and learned about the basics of how an open-source act was done. I created my social accounts on Twitter(X), LinkedIn and Hashnode. They conducted weekly sessions to help answer questions and provide guidance and resources. I started learning HTML from “Code with Harry’s” Sigma web development course.

November, 2023

I started to learn Java which helped me to solve DSA problems. In Java, I revised the previous concepts and covered the concept of arrays. After completing HTML, I moved on to CSS, following the same Sigma web development course. I was then introduced to open source, where I contributed to my first project, "Makaut Buddy," a web development project led by our seniors. In weekly sessions, our seniors invited guest speakers with experience in areas like GSOC and UI/UX design to weekly sessions.

December, 2023

In this week, I and my college friends have enrolled in this course in which they taught us HTML, CSS, and Javascript. we have made two projects as an assignment. In weekly sessions senior taught us the value of personal branding and its importance. And started learning in public and I joined the #100DaysOfCode challenge, whatever I learned took a screenshot and posted daily updates on Twitter and occasionally on LinkedIn.

Planned for the next few months

My target is to cover Java language gain deep knowledge in that field and at least reach the 200+ problems in DSA and Java advanced concepts.

I will start freelancing and a YouTube channel.

January, 2024

With a fresh start to the year, I made my first UI clone of Netflix using HTML and CSS, learned the basics of UI/UX design in Figma, and continued solving DSA problems. Then after making one clone I got motivated and tried to make a Facebook login clone also but unfortunately, I didn’t complete it because of academic pressure (several continuous assessments took place).

February, 2024

In this month I have started learning javascript from the Code with Harry Sigma web development course and continued Tailwind CSS

March, 2024

This month also followed the same path learned a new algorithm in DSA and worked on a web dev project of our community’s site. In weekly sessions, they conducted a leetcode contest. Later on, I started learning the backend of Javascript: how it works in the background from Namaste Javascript course on Akshay Saini’s YouTube Channel.

April, 2024

In this month I couldn’t do much more due semester exam. From the start I and my friends didn’t study a lot for our academics so from the days before the exam, we divided each chapter among ourselves so that it took less time to complete the syllabus and then we taught each other. And I got an 8.56 SGPA. These days I only solved one DSA problem for everyone to be consistent and after the exams were over I wrote a blog on the “Importance of Personal Branding”.

May, 2024

I started learning C, as it was a part of my college curriculum. My main focus is on DSA I have completed LinkedList started stacks and queues and almost solved 100 problems on Leetcode. Then I started learning Javascript from Chai aur Code on YouTube and I like the way of Hitesh Choudhary sir’s teaching. After searching many resources for Javascript which I found very engaging.

June, 2024

I am continuing to learn JavaScript and applying a few concepts by creating npm packages. Then I started cloning Spotify by using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. After that, I started learning React.Js from the same channel chai aur code. Side by side I started learning trading and continuing video editing practice.

July, 2024

I covered up to react-router and then I applied for a hackathon that would take place in August so we made a team and started working on our idea for that I had to learn the AI/ML part and look for a good resource but not found so well. But unfortunately, we haven’t been selected for the hackathon. But I had started to learn AI so I am trying to complete at least a part that’s why I am continuing it and side by side doing DSA and almost completed 150+ problems.

August, 2024

I began applying to hackathons and realized I needed some backend knowledge for several project ideas. So, I started learning backend development from "Chai aur Code" and Harkirat’s Cohort. But I’m still facing challenges getting selected for hackathons. And I have almost solved 200 problems in DSA on Leetcode.

September, 2024

I learned how to connect a server and make schemas in the backend and in DSA I covered up to sliding windows and solved 250+ problems on Leetcode. Then my 2nd semester exams also started the same strategy for this sem also. After completing the first year we got no vacations and our 2nd year classes started 3 days later this semester I was introduced to a new subject Ocaml (functional programing language) and a lot of pressure this semester and 75% attendance criteria were strictly followed.

October, 2024

This month Puja Festival was there so I was busy in our complex. Then after the vacations and break were over I decided to restart again and start revising the old topics in DSA like LinkedList and Stack and resume React.js.

My plans for 2nd year

I am targeting to cover all topics in DSA and try to reach the 400+ problems on Leetcode. trying to get selected for hackathons and also trying to complete full stack and looking for freelancing opportunities and then applying for internships.

Conclusion

I would like to thank all my seniors and my friends for supporting me and showing me the correct roadmap. Despite my own mistakes and casualness, I have not done so much in tech and I have learned many things from my mistakes which I will try to not repeat again.

I have learned many things in the past year but not implemented means not making projects which I will rectify and start making projects from this month onwards. For this reason, only my Github profile was not impressive and that is the main reason for my not selecting in the hackathons.

And if you want to stay connected with me, you can follow me here or on my other social handles.