Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Engineering

Introduction

When I entered engineering college, I had motivation — but not clarity.

Everyone around me had advice:

• “Start DSA from day one.”
• “Focus only on grades.”
• “Do everything early.”

It all sounded important.

But honestly, it was overwhelming.

Today, after working as a software engineer and being part of programs like GSoC — both as a mentee and a mentor — I often think:

What would I do differently if I were starting again?

This blog is for students who feel:

• confused
• pressured
• or unsure where to start

First Year Is for Exploration (And That’s Okay)

One thing I strongly believe now:

First year is meant for exploration.

Not just technical — but personal too.

• Join college committees
• Participate in clubs and events
• Attend hackathons
• Speak on stage
• Volunteer

These experiences build:

• confidence
• communication skills
• social skills

Things that matter a lot in the long run — but are never taught in classrooms.

Yes, academics are important.
But college is much more than marks.

Explore Tech — But Don’t Get Stuck

If you’re into coding, first year is the best time to explore:

• Web development
• Android / Mobile development
• AI / ML
• Anything that interests you

Through this, you’ll discover:

• what excites you
• what feels boring
• what challenges you

That’s how clarity comes.

But here’s the mistake many people make:

They keep exploring forever.

By second year, try to:

• pick one domain
• go deep into it

Depth matters more than knowing everything superficially.

Don’t Rely Only on College Syllabus

Most engineering colleges teach basics.

Do the essentials:

• maintain a decent CGPA
• attend lectures
• meet attendance

But don’t stop there.

Because:

• syllabus helps you pass exams
• skills help you build a career

The good part?

Exams are manageable if you stay consistent and study smartly.

Build Projects — Start Small

In the beginning, tutorials are fine.

Everyone starts there.

But after some time:

Start building on your own.

Your projects don’t need to be big.

Even simple projects teach you:

• how code works
• how APIs are used
• how frontend connects to logic
• how to debug

Projects are not just for resumes.

They’re for understanding.

Start Applying for Internships Early

Most students wait until they feel “ready”.

Truth is:

You’ll never feel fully ready.

So:

• apply early
• apply often
• apply even if you feel underqualified

In the beginning: Don’t chase stipend — chase learning.

Internships give you:

• real-world exposure
• team experience
• production-level understanding

You can always move to better opportunities later.

Open Source Changes Everything

If there’s one thing I wish I had started earlier:

It’s open source.

It teaches you things no course can:

• working with large codebases
• writing clean code
• collaborating globally
• handling code reviews

You also learn how real software teams function.

DSA Matters — But Keep It Balanced

Yes, DSA is important.

But you don’t need to overdo it.

Pick one language:

• Java
• Python
• C++

Then stay consistent.

Even:

• 1–2 problems per week
• solved properly

is enough over time.

Consistency > intensity

Learn in Public and Build Connections

One underrated skill:

Learning in public.

• Share on LinkedIn or Twitter
• Post what you’re learning
• Even small wins matter

At first, it feels:

• cringe
• uncomfortable

But it helps you:

• build confidence
• build credibility
• get noticed

Also, don’t limit yourself to college.

Attend:

• meetups
• tech talks
• hackathons

In cities like Mumbai or Bangalore, these happen frequently.

You’ll meet:

• like-minded people
• seniors
• potential opportunities

Don’t Depend Only on Placements

On-campus placement is just one path.

Not the only one.

Other paths:

• internships
• open source
• networking
• hackathons

Sometimes:

• internships → full-time roles
• open source → remote jobs

The more you explore, the more doors open.

Respect Your Time in College

This might be the most important lesson.

These 4 years go by fast.

Don’t think:

• “I’ll do this later”
• “I have time”

Start small.

Stay consistent.

Trust yourself.

Final Note

If you feel:

• confused
• behind
• overwhelmed

You’re not alone.

Everyone figures things out at their own pace.

Just don’t stop learning.

If this helped you, share it with someone who might need it. 🚀

Originally published on Medium