This is a submission for the 2025 New Year Writing challenge: Retro’ing and Debugging 2024.
Hi everyone! I’m Divya, a current M.Tech student at a tier-3 college. The past year has been a whirlwind of ups and downs, marked by a major shift in my career path from MBA to tech(back to it again). Let me take you through my journey in 2024, one quarter at a time— each quarter a separate season with its own challenges and lessons.
1st Quarter – January to March 🎓👩🏻💼🥲
The year started with high hopes as I eagerly awaited my CAT results, dreaming of getting into one of my target IIMs. I threw myself into interview preparations, brimming with excitement about the possibilities ahead. However, reality hit hard when I found out I hadn’t made it to my dream IIM. Although I received admission offers in other IIMs, it wasn't what I wanted.
This marked the end of a seven-month journey filled with hopes and dreams of pursuing an MBA from my dream IIM college. It was a tough pill to swallow, but it also set the stage for me to return back to tech.
2nd Quarter – April to June 👩🏻💻🐍🤝🏻
This quarter was a time of deep reflection, contemplation, and moving forward. Disappointed but determined, I decided to focus on rebuilding myself and move forward in tech. I took on Replit’s 100 Days of Code - The Complete Python Course challenge, focusing on Python to rekindle my coding consistency and mindset. I chose this challenge due to two reasons- it's a long one, and also Python is a relatively easier language. To my surprise, I completed this challenge in just 45 days!
This milestone reignited my passion for programming and gave me the confidence to take on new challenges, especially in Python. During this time, I also grew my following on X, gaining over 500 followers and forming amazing friendships that made this journey even more special.
3rd Quarter – July to September 👩🏻💻🤒💔
The momentum from the second quarter carried me into The Odin Project, where I completed the Intermediate HTML and CSS part. However, life threw me a curveball when I had to start my M.Tech program. The adjustment was tough, and my productivity took a hit as I fell ill thrice during this quarter.
Despite the setbacks, I explored generative AI and worked on a couple of projects using Python. Yet, deployment woes unraveled the threads of my bond with Python. What once felt like a symphony of logic now echoed as a hollow refrain, an empty shell of its vibrant past.
4th Quarter – October to December ✨🚀☺️
The final quarter of the year brought a renewed sense of purpose. I completed three good-level projects in generative AI using JavaScript and the Gemini AI API.
1) A workout planner
2) Web Development Study Plan Guide
One of my proudest moments was participating in my first-ever hackathon by Codedex.io- Mini Holiday Hackathon, where I created a nostalgic 90s-themed portfolio.
December brought with itself yet another challenge — the Frontend Challenge: December Edition on Dev.to.
Check out my projects here:-
1) Winter Themed Greeting- CSS Version
3) Winter Solstice Web: A Winter Solistice-Inspired Webpage
Also, I made a simple but lovely project incredibly proud of, and which I've wanted to make for a long time- A Beating Heart Project.
I also took time to reflect on my interests in data analytics. While it’s a fascinating field, I realized it might not be my true calling. This quarter, more than any other, felt like a fresh start, filled with small victories that helped me regain my confidence.
Looking Back
2024 was a year of transformation. It started with the heartbreak of not getting into my dream IIM, but it led me back to tech, where I rediscovered my passion for coding. From falling in love with Python to exploring generative AI and participating in hackathons, this year was all about growth, resilience, and embracing change.
I made incredible connections, completed exciting projects, and challenged myself in ways I never thought possible. This rollercoaster of a year has taught me that every setback is just a setup for a stronger comeback. I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for me.
So, that's it!
If you're still here, Thank you for still being here 🙏🏻.
Please share your thoughts, feedback, and suggestions in the comment section below 🗨️
Inspiring journey
Not only you learnt new technologies but also created projects in them
🔥