This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Nikkkil.1
Every journey begins with a spark of curiosity. Mine started when I was in 3rd standard—a time when computers weren’t in every household, and just owning one felt like a luxury.
The First Encounter
One of my dad’s friends bought a computer for his son and invited us over to see it. I still remember walking into their home and staring at the glowing screen, watching videos and games run on it.
To me, it felt like magic. In that moment, I thought:
“Buying a car might be easier than buying a computer.”
Out of pure excitement, I turned to my dad and said, “I want one too.”
To my surprise, he simply replied: “I’ll bring it for you.”
Within just a few days, a computer arrived at my home. This was 2015, and that moment changed the direction of my life.
Games, Studies, and First Lessons
Like any kid, I started with games. But my dad constantly reminded me:
“Don’t spend all your time on games. Learn something useful.”
Slowly, I balanced play with learning. Dad himself introduced me to Excel and PowerPoint, which became my first steps in computer literacy.
By 4th standard, when my school introduced My Computer as a subject, I was already ahead. For the first time in my academic life, I wasn’t the “average student.” In computer science, I scored full marks consistently—a subject where I finally felt unstoppable.
The Inspiration
Around that time, I met a senior student who was learning Python programming. He was 1 years ahead of me, but he left a strong impression. If he could do it, why not me?
By 7th standard, my school introduced C programming. That was my first formal step into coding. Meanwhile, I had started exploring operating systems, and when I saw a friend’s laptop running Windows 10 while I was still on Windows 7, it triggered a new wave of curiosity.
From Curiosity to Hardware
I began researching online about how computers and supercomputers worked, what was inside laptops, and how components were built.
One day, when my parents weren’t home, I did something crazy—I opened up my PC cabinet just to see the hardware inside. The sight of circuits, wires, and components fascinated me. That day, my passion shifted from just using computers to truly understanding them.
Lockdown: A Turning Point
When lockdown hit during my 8th standard, I spent hours every day exploring technology. While many were passing time, I was diving deep into:
Raspberry Pi
Arduino circuits
Networking concepts
Computer hardware breakdowns
It felt like my own personal lab.
First Steps Into Programming
In 9th standard, I started learning the basics of Python—loops, syntax, and small programs. Around the same time, my old PC had become slow, and instead of giving up, I looked for solutions.
That’s when I discovered Kali Linux and the world of hacking and cybersecurity. Installing and experimenting with Linux was my first real exposure to how powerful computers could be when you looked beyond the surface.
Enter AI and Collaboration
By 2024, I came across ChatGPT. At first, I was amazed by how it worked, but soon my curiosity asked deeper questions:
“What powers AI like this?”
“How do so many engineers collaborate on such large-scale projects?”
That’s when I discovered Git and GitHub, realizing how developers across the world work together to build technology that impacts billions.
Where I Stand Today
Today, I am pursuing my degree at Srinivas Institute of Technology, Mangalore. Looking back, I see that my entire journey was driven by one thing—curiosity.
I didn’t have formal mentors or structured guidance. Everything I learned came from exploration, mistakes, and late-night research.
And this journey shaped a mindset that still drives me:
Passion can teach you more than any classroom ever will.
The Road Ahead
For me, computers are not just machines. They are the reason I think differently, solve problems differently, and dream bigger.
From being the little kid in 3rd standard who went crazy seeing a computer for the first time—to becoming a student exploring AI, programming, and startups—this is just the beginning of my story.
And the best part? I’m still as curious as that 3rd standard kid.
This is my journey into computers. If you’ve had a similar story or a moment that changed your relationship with technology, I’d love to hear it.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Nikkkil.1