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Elisa Chen
Elisa Chen

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My First Steps into Open Source

Hello! I’m Rong Chen, a Computer Programming & Analysis student at Seneca Polytechnic, and I’m excited (and a little nervous) to share my journey into open source. To be honest, when I first heard about this course, I had no idea what open source really meant. But after hearing from students in previous semesters that it’s a “must-take” course, I knew I had to dive in and see what it was all about.

My First Impressions
When I started researching open source, I quickly realized it was more than just a course—it was a whole new way of thinking about software development. I learned that open source isn’t just about writing code; it’s about working on existing projects, understanding other people’s code, fixing issues, and collaborating with developers from around the world. It’s a bit intimidating because it’s not just about your coding skills; it’s about your ability to dive into someone else’s work, make improvements, and communicate effectively with a community.

It’s More Than Just Coding
What surprised me the most is that open source isn’t just about sitting down and writing code from scratch. It’s about understanding complex projects that are already in motion, reading documentation, learning how to navigate other people’s codebases, and contributing in meaningful ways. I quickly realized this is not going to be an easy course—it’s definitely more challenging than just coding on my own. It requires problem-solving skills, patience, and the ability to learn quickly from others.

What I Hope to Learn
Even though it feels overwhelming, I’m excited about the challenges ahead.I want to push myself to step out of my comfort zone, not just as a coder but as someone who make a meaningful impact on projects that matter.This course is going to be a journey of learning, not just about coding, but about how to work with others and contribute to something bigger than myself.

Thanks for joining me as I take my first steps into the world of open source. I’ll be sharing my progress, struggles, and insights along the way.

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