College freshman with an idea. How should I spend my summer?

Posted by zaqfu on Wednesday March 09, 2011 @08:52PM
from the self-post dept.

I'm a freshman at MIT majoring in computer science. I have a startup idea that I'm really excited about, but don't think I have the technical expertise to build it.

I have about 1.5 years of programming experience, and enough web development under my belt that I could build a sloppy but working prototype.

My question: this summer, should I jump right into building my idea? Or should I do other things to raise my programming IQ (internship/side projects/reading/your suggestions) until I feel more technically confident?

( 4 comments | 2 points | on HN )

Re:College freshman with an idea. How should I spend my summer? by bigiain on Wednesday March 09, 2011 @09:12PM (#2307665)

In my opinion working on your own project is by far the quickest way up the programming learning curve (with the possible exception of convincing somebody brilliant to work on it alongside you).

Do it. Build a prototype.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:College freshman with an idea. How should I spend my summer? by brokentone on Wednesday March 09, 2011 @09:27PM (#2307708)

Working on a project is the best way to learn for sure, whether your own or another person's. You'll figure out the most important elements of the languages you're working in quickly, and the holes will be filled in over the next few years of school. Although, you should be reading books/blogs in your field as you go (but, really, you should always be doing that)

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Re:College freshman with an idea. How should I spend my summer? by matomesc on Wednesday March 09, 2011 @09:07PM (#2307644)

I would definitely start working on the idea and come up with a prototype.

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Re:College freshman with an idea. How should I spend my summer? by bartonfink on Wednesday March 09, 2011 @09:09PM (#2307656)

Jump in and do it. What's the worst that could happen?

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