My First Hackathon — Lessons Beyond the Code
A personal reflection on my very first hackathon experience as a third-year student — from anxiety and late-night debugging to the joy of winning an award and finding true confidence.
The Beginning
My first hackathon as a third-year student was an unforgettable experience.
At first, I was filled with anxiety — afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the other teams. Everyone around me seemed smarter, faster, and more experienced.
The Grind
The days were long and the nights even longer. Our team wrestled with endless bugs, broken builds, and countless cups of coffee. There were moments of frustration when things simply refused to work — but also moments of pure excitement when we finally cracked a problem.
The Breakthrough
After hours of pushing through, our project finally came together. Seeing it actually run was surreal — a reminder that perseverance always pays off.
When our team’s name was called for an award, I couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t just about winning. For me, it was the first time I truly felt confident in my own abilities as a developer.
What I Learned
That hackathon taught me one important lesson: growth comes from overcoming challenges. It’s not about having all the answers from the start — it’s about learning, adapting, and pushing through.
Gratitude
Huge thanks to my bros at SocialMove and Weminal Labs for being part of this journey. Couldn’t have asked for a better team to share those sleepless nights with.
