1️⃣ Getting Started

• Joined Hacktoberfest for the second time with excitement.
• Explored open-source repositories to find beginner-friendly issues and medium level issues (with full time job).
• At first, it was a bit overwhelming—but, hey, the community was super helpful!

2️⃣ The Learning Journey

• Learned Git & GitHub commands like: git rebase,git grep,git rev-list
• Discovered how pull requests managed (PRs) internally and how to contribute responsibly.
• Picked up best practices:
  • Reading contribution guidelines carefully.
  • Writing clear commit messages.
• Faced some errors during PR submissions—solved them with the help of maintainers! 🙌

3️⃣ Achievements & PR's

• Submitted my first PR (felt like winning a trophy 🏆).
• Fixed back-end and front-end functionalities, added documentation, and worked on code improvements.

4️⃣ Challenges Faced

• Some PRs were marked as invalid (ouch 😅).
• Had to redo changes when maintainers requested updates.
• Juggling time between work and contributions was tricky—but totally worth it.

5️⃣ How I Felt

• Proud to see my contributions accepted in real-world projects.
• Realized open-source isn’t just about coding—it’s also about collaboration.
• This experience boosted my confidence to contribute more throughout the year and become maintainer in next phase.

6️⃣ Takeaways

• Patience and persistence are key—every PR matters!
• Found new communities and met amazing people who love open-source.
• Will definitely participate next year and encourage others to join!

7️⃣ Final Thoughts

• Whether or not you complete all 4 PRs, Hacktoberfest is about learning and growing.
• It’s okay to make mistakes, and each small contribution counts.
• Hacktoberfest 2024 was an amazing ride—see you in 2025! 🎊

Did you participate in Hacktoberfest too?
Share your experience and let's keep the open-source spirit alive! 🧑‍💻