What Is A Hackathon? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

9 Things You Have To Know Before Breaking Into Your First Hackathon

Now that a major Hackathon season is on, learn how you should go about it.

217
Friends
Tanya Sengupta

Hackathons have recently become a big thing for students all over the world. Let that be college or high school, everyone has its own type of hackathon. You may wonder why I didn't mention only computer science students. You may be happy to know, it's not only for the coders—anyone can be a part of it! Either by volunteering or by being a major part of a team cause, how can one code if one does not have it's reasons to? You can be the reason! Want to know more about the hacking marathon? You're on the right page!

1. Brainstorm ideas

Giphy

Someone has told: "Ideas are bulletproof". So, don't overthink. Let the creativity flow.

2. Consider coding platforms you are confident about

c1.staticflickr.com

Don't take up a random new coding platforms when you don't know how to use them. If doing so, start learning ahead of time(before the actual hackathon).

3. Be open to new stuff

Major League Hacking

Don't confine your self to old things/ people you know. Learn new things, attend workshops, meet new people.

4. Network

Major League Hacking

Remember, hackathons are a great source of networking. Meet and talk to people or representatives from different companies, get to know more about them, know about the vacancies and ways of recruitment.

5. Try to be as much original as possible

Giphy

It will be a lie if I say your idea has to be absolutely original. Nothing can be original, everything is derived. However, derive the least and create and innovate the most. How? Don't depend on already created APIs and general sites or apps and make your project presentable(eye-pleasing).

6. Unlimited Food and Snack

Tanya Sengupta

Coding for hours? Need to munch onto something to keep you awake? Hackathon organizers' got you! When at the hacking marathon, do not worry about munch-ons. Grab some anytime of the day...there's no limit.

7. Free Swag!!

Giphy

The most exciting part of hackathons is the free swag!!! Grab as many as possible. Remember: it's free!!! After all they say, "Best thing in the world is free."

8. Explore the new place

Aidan Russell

Hackathons are a good reason to visit multiple Universities and it's nearby locations. Go out while you take a break from coding and explore!!

9. DO NOT STOP AFTER JUST ONE.

Stony Brook Computing Society

Keep participating, success or failure do not matter. What matters is the consistency to learn and grow. The more you attend, the more you get to know about ideas and computing, the more you grow your knowledge, and you never know, you might win few of them!

About to hit your first/upcoming Hackathon? Ready, set, go!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

Pros And Cons Of Having A Birthday Near The Holidays

The truth of what it is like having a birthday around the holiday season.

1293
Christmas decoration
Flickr

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! But for some people, including myself and my Dad, it can have its ups and downs when it comes to having a birthday near and around the holiday season. I personally share a birthday with my Dad two days before Christmas. Yes, Christmas Eve Eve is our birthday. Here are a few pros and cons for having a birthday near the holidays.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas Tree Lights
Pixabay

It is that time of year again. Christmastime. It is one of my favorite seasons for a myriad of reasons. Here are just a few reasons why I love Christmas. This list is in no order of importance.

1. The Christmas decorations

I am that person who will decorate directly after Thanksgiving is over. This year, my roommates and I put the tree up in our apartment before we even left for Thanksgiving break. It is a great stress reliever for me to just sit in my living room and work on the huge amount of work I have before the semester is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl with santa hat
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

'Tis the season to be jolly folks, and if you're anything like me, then at the stroke of midnight on Halloween your home went from wicked to winter

Keep Reading...Show less
mistake
Project Eve

Mistakes are something we all make, no matter how old we get. Most of the time, the mistakes we made are little and sometimes due to something out of our control. Yet, there are mistakes that are bigger than others. Personally, I have mistakes that I wish I could go back and undo. Here they are:

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

5 Things To Do That Are Better Than Writing A Paper

Don't waste your time trying to write that paper when there are so many more interesting things you could be doing.

13019
computer keyboard
Unsplash

Writing a paper is never fun and is rarely rewarding. The writer's block, the page requirement, be specific, but don’t summarize, make sure you fixed any grammatical errors, did you even use spellcheck? and analyze, analyze, analyze.

Papers can be a major pain. They take up so much time and effort that by the end of the process you hate yourself and you hate the professor for making life so difficult. Questions of your existence start roaming in your mind. Am I even cut out for college if I can’t write a single paper? Am I even capable of taking care of myself if I lack the energy to open my laptop and start typing?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments