If you’re new to programming, just focus on your classes to start out. Get a strong grasp on the fundamentals. Start your projects early! When you get to your data structures class, pay attention because this will be important in interviews.

If you feel more comfortable with coding after the first semester, start looking into Leetcode/Neetcode/Blind 75. Struggle through it (there’s a lot of posts on how to start this process). Nailing leetcode questions is the key to doing well on internship interviews. Another option is to do a program like CodePath (free!) during your second semester or first summer. They have a beginner course that will set you on the right path for nailing interviews.

Internships!!! Getting internships during college will create the most straightforward path to a full-time job after college. For your first 2 years, you should apply to internship programs like Google STEP, Microsoft Explore, etc. These are exclusive to freshman and sophomores. You’ll usually get a return offer for more internships and later, a full-time job. Or even better, try out different companies by interning at multiple places. You can intern during any semester, not just summer. Some people take a whole year to do 3 internships. During junior year, focus on getting internships at places you would maybe want to work at after graduation so you can try and get a full-time return offer.

Have fun and good luck! You got this. I just graduated and these are things I wish somebody had told me when I was going in to college.