“Every second holds a journey. Every minute carries a story. Every hour, every day, every week, and every year unfolds as a unique path to explore.”
2024 was truly a remarkable one, filled with moments of stress and uncertainty but culminating in a deep sense of fulfillment. It was the year I stepped out of my comfort zone, explored countless opportunities, and embraced the joy of doing what truly made me happy. Along the way, I learned some invaluable lessons that shaped my perspective. Here are a few reflections that stand out:
In the beginning, applying for internships was tough. I was frustrated with the lack of replies, and on top of that, my academic marks were dependent on securing an internship. Despite the struggles, I kept working on improving my resume and skills. Eventually, my persistence paid off, and I secured an internship that turned out to be an amazing experience.
“Nothing comes easy, but if you keep hustling and believe in yourself, what is meant for you will eventually come your way. Just keep pushing forward!”
When I first started learning a new tool like InfluxDB, I made several mistakes. I tried to rely on the documentation, but it wasn’t quite helping, so I explored alternative solutions and found the right path. Now, whenever I learn a new tool, I always make sure to go through the documentation first, and I’ve learned how important it is to understand the basics before experimenting.
It’s necessary to learn not only from our own mistakes but also from others’ mistakes, so we don’t repeat them. Success stories are great, but failure stories are needed for us and others to learn from them.
“Mistakes are part of the process, but learning from them is what truly matters.”
No matter the challenge, whether it’s learning a new tool, facing a tough project, or even working on a new idea or website, challenges are always opportunities for growth. I see every challenge as a chance to learn something new. The key is to embrace the discomfort, because that’s where the real learning happens.
“Projects that push you out of your comfort zone often lead to the greatest personal and professional development.”
One of the things I learned during my internship was the ability to ask questions. Initially, we feel like asking anything will make us look stupid, but this is not the case. Articulation is important for us to ask anything. Asking is better than assuming, and in turn, much better than doing something wrong, regretting it, and having to redo it.
“Asking questions helps avoid mistakes and makes us grow.”
Every time you have a new idea, no matter how stupid or silly it may seem, it’s always good to think about it. These little ideas and projects help us build things we never thought were possible. When I first had the idea for my portfolio, my first thought was, “Is this a good idea?” or even for my other projects.
But in the process, I realized it is indeed very important to have an idea to explore, similar ideas to build upon, and to mold your own unique one. It’s honestly great, and in the end, the satisfaction is immense.
“Every idea, no matter how small, is the seed for something great.”
So, when I was doing a project on GPT, I realized that the data was limited. So, I turned to web scraping. I thought others might face the same issue, so I made a web scraper for this. This was my first project that made me feel good. Always try to convert your hurdles or problems into opportunities. Maybe it’s lack of resources, documentation, or communication issues. Always try to solve the issues, it always pays back.
“Challenges are opportunities in disguise. Seize them!”
Between any project, being a yay or nay, documentation is key. Even other things, like simple communication, fail if there is no documentation. It’s always better to have a well-written document, script, or other references.
“Good documentation helps save time and avoid confusion.”
No matter what you are trying to do, try to finish it before the deadline. This way, even if there are some last-minute setbacks, you still have time to recover. I always go by this rule: anything I plan in advance, I try to finish early so that I have additional time to make adjustments.
“Early completion gives you breathing room for unexpected challenges.”
The thing is, we need to give our 100%. Results may not necessarily come in our favor, but that doesn’t matter. We must keep doing our work, and someday it will all make sense. Try to keep your projects 100% good—the results and the rest are not in our hands.
When I was new to making projects, my sole ambition was to have a lot of engagements. I wanted to collaborate with people, learn new things, and be appreciated. This happens to all of us—it’s completely normal. The truth is, results are never in our hands. So, just be happy with the learning part, as it always happens no matter what else unfolds.
“Just keep doing your work and trust the process. The journey matters more than the destination, and success will follow when the time is right.”
Do not force yourself to have a perfect ending—it’s not meant to be that way. When we are studying, we feel like getting a job is the ultimate destination. Then, when we start working, it becomes about increments, promotions, and more. This cycle never ends. It’s always better to enjoy the journey—the laughter, tears, joys, and sorrows—everything that life throws at you. After all, these memories are what make life truly memorable.
During school, I used to think college would be my ultimate destination—a place where I’d learn everything, get a job, and secure my life. But no, it’s not like that. There are still insecurities and uncertainties, no matter how hard we try. It’s completely fine because maybe destiny has other plans for us—plans better than our own. The key is to enjoy the journey, to embrace everything that comes, so that when our goals are finally reached, we can look back satisfied, knowing we truly enjoyed everything in between.
“Embrace the journey of life. Every moment, every emotion, every experience adds richness to your story, making it unforgettable.”
As I continue on this journey, I remain committed to learning, evolving, and embracing every challenge that comes my way. Life is a collection of lessons, and it's through reflection that we find growth. Here's to more experiences, more wisdom, and more moments that define our paths. Let's keep exploring and creating, one step at a time.