Before the Hackathon

Going to your first Hackathon can be an overwhelming experience, especially if you're a beginner. However, taking the first step can be the hardest one, so let's start with the basics to help you through the process.

What is a Hackathon?

Hackathons are events, typically hosted by companies or universities, that usually last anywhere between 12-48 hours. In an in-person hackathon, the participants will build a project from scratch, and can usually work in teams. There are usually different "tracks" you can compete in, and prizes for those that stand out. Due to the time constraint,  judges tend to look for projects with unique or interesting ideas rather than something complete or complex. 

How to Prepare

1. Set a Goal

Before going to the hackathon, you should have an idea of what you want to accomplish out of it. Do you have a specific idea you're passionate to make? Do you want to be more strategic to aim for a win? Or do you want to use the hackathon as an opportunity to network, or experiment with a new technology? Many people have different reasons they want to go to hackathons, so it's also important to define what goal you want if you are working in a team. 

2. Download Software in Advance

In a hackathon, your time can become very limited. Although you're not allowed to do any coding beforehand, being prepared for what you're going to code can save valuable time. If you don't have the software downloaded already, downloading essential tools and getting familiar with them can help you by the time the hackathon officially starts. Examples include an IDE, Git (especially if you're working in a group), and any languages or frameworks you plan to use that are not already on your computer. 

3. Decide on a Language and/or Framework

Similarly to above, making key decisions beforehand can help you save time in a hackathon without even writing a single line of code. This can simply be whatever language you feel the most comfortable in, but it can also be one that is best suited for your project or team.

If you follow these tips, you should be a bit more prepared when the hackathon begins. If you still feel lost, though, don't fret! The nature of hackathons can feel exhausting, which is why it's important to manage expectations accordingly.