Open source often seems intimidating to students who are just beginning their journey in technology. Terms like repositories, pull requests, and contributing guidelines can make the process appear more complicated than it actually is. My experience with Hacktoberfest taught me that with the right guidance and willingness to learn, anyone can take their first step into the open-source community.
As a beginner exploring the world of development, Hacktoberfest became an opportunity to understand how collaborative software development works beyond classrooms. It introduced me to GitHub workflows, project structures, and the importance of contributing to real-world projects.
A major role in this journey is played by our GDG lead who encouraged students to participate in Hacktoberfest. Through dedicated sessions, he introduced us to the fundamentals of open source, explained how to identify suitable repositories, and guided us on creating effective contributions. With that guidance, I started exploring repositories, understanding contribution guidelines, and working on issues that matched my level of knowledge. Every pull request became a learning experience. I made around 10-15 pull requests, out of which 6 were successfully accepted.
One of the biggest lessons i learned is that open source is not reserved for experts. Beginners often hestitate because they feel they need extensive knowledge before contributing. However, open source communities value curiosity, consistency, and the willingness to learn. Even small contributions can create meaningful impact and help individuals grow as developers.
Looking back, Hacktoberfest was an enriching experience that strengthened both my technical understanding and confidence as a learner. It is more than collection of badges and perks for a beginner in tech. I am grateful to Ayushman Bhattacharya for creating an environment where students were encouraged to explore, contribute, and discover the value of open source development.
