Introduction:

“I wasted my first year.”
“If only someone had told me this earlier.”
“Why didn’t I start sooner?”

Every senior has said these words at some point.
But you don’t have to repeat the same mistakes.

This article is full of real, unfiltered advice from students who’ve walked the road from confused beginners to confident developers.

1. Start Early – Even If You’re Not Sure Yet

You don’t need to have it all figured out.
Just start somewhere Python, HTML/CSS, YouTube tutorials.

Action → Confidence → Direction
Not the other way around.

📉 2. Don’t Wait for College to Teach You Everything

Syllabus is often outdated
Classes are slow and exam-focused
The real learning happens on GitHub, YouTube, blogs, and projects

Treat college as a base. Build your future outside it.

🧑‍💻 3. Build. Break. Repeat.

Your first 5 projects will be ugly.
Your 6th one will be better.
Your 10th might get you a job.

The only way to get better at coding is to code more.

⌛ 4. 1 Hour a Day is Enough (If You're Consistent)

You don’t need to grind 6 hours every day.

✅ 1 hour learning
✅ 30 mins project
✅ Weekly blog or code upload

That’s how good developers are made slowly, silently, daily.

🧩 5. Don’t Learn Everything at Once

You don’t need:

4 languages
3 frameworks
5 coding sites
10 tutorials

Pick ONE stack. Stick to it. Learn deeply. Then expand.

🤝 6. Find a Learning Buddy

Progress 10x faster by:

Sharing doubts
Doing projects together
Competing on LeetCode
Reviewing each other’s resumes

Solo grind is overrated. Find your tribe.

🚫 7. Avoid These Traps

Watching 50 tutorials and building nothing
Waiting for the “perfect” project idea
Thinking you're too “behind” to start
Ignoring health and burning out
Comparing your journey with toppers on LinkedIn

Everyone’s lost in first year. Some just start despite it.

🛤️ 8. It’s Okay to Change Direction

You can:

Switch from Python to Java
Go from MERN to Django
Drop CP and focus on dev
Move from web to AI

This isn’t failure it’s growth.
You’re figuring out your own path.

🧘‍♂️ 9. Make Time for Fun and Fitness Too

Yes, placements are important.
But so is:

Sleep
Sports
Friends
Memories

Don’t lose yourself in the hustle. You’re still in college.

🔥 10. Start Before You’re Ready

You will never “feel ready.”
But you will feel grateful 6 months from now that you began today.

💬 Quotes from Real Seniors

"I spent 1 year watching videos, 1 month building projects, and that’s what got me the internship." – B.Tech CSE, 2024
"The biggest regret? Not writing code daily. The biggest win? Just starting early." – GDSC Lead
"I didn’t crack FAANG, but I built my dream startup. Thanks to what I started in 2nd year." – Tier 2 college dev

Final Words:

“Don’t be the senior who says ‘I wish I had started earlier.’
Be the junior who says ‘I’m already on my way.’”

This guide was built to help you skip mistakes, fast-track growth, and finish strong.
And you’re just getting started.

Article 15: What I Wish I Knew in First Year – Raw, Honest Advice from Seniors