Blog #6 - 3 Days Left to Ace ServiceNow Hacktoberfest – You Can Do This!

[Priyanka Sharm1]

Hey, ServiceNow enthusiasts!

I’m thrilled to have completed the ServiceNow Hacktoberfest 2024 challenge, and I’m here to encourage you to join in the final stretch! With only three days left, it’s still possible – and I’ve got tips, resources, and motivation to help you make it happen. 🙂 

🌐Start with the Right Resources
To dive in, check out these must-read guides that helped me stay on track:
1. ServiceNow Hacktoberfest Challenge Overview – Official rules and instructions.
2. Abhishek Pandey’s Contribution Guide – Perfect for first-time contributors.
3. Atul Grover's Step-by-Step User Guide – Detailed walkthrough on making successful contributions.

🔍Plan Your Contributions Carefully
- Start by exploring the ServiceNowDevProgram GitHub repos. Look through each description, README, and Contribution file for the repos you’re interested in.

- Tip:  You can only contribute twice per repo, so choose the projects that interest you the most, and be sure to follow the repo-specific rules to increase your chances of acceptance.

📌Basics to Learn First - Git & GitHub Skills
- Forking: Makes a copy of the original repo into your GitHub account so you can work independently.
- Branching: Lets you create a separate version of the project within your fork for making changes.
- File & Folder Creation: Creating a file and folder in a repo to place your script.
- Committing: Saves your changes in Git, with a message explaining what you’ve done.
- Pull Request (PR): Sends your changes back to the original repo, requesting they be reviewed and merged.
- Merging: The final step where your contribution is officially added to the original project.

👩‍💻Practical Tips for a Smooth Process
- Familiarize yourself with moving between repos, switching branches, and tracking open pull requests.
- Work in multiple tabs to stay organized across different repos.
- Check out other successful contributions to verify you’re on the right path.

- When working in GitHub, prepare your contributions in advance. This allows you to focus solely on Git during the PR process, making it easy to copy your actual script.

🔗Additional Support – Join SNDevs on Slack
If you have questions, reach out on SNDevs Slack to connect with maintainers who are ready to help. Checking in with them early can save you time and help ensure your contributions meet the requirements.

💡Stay Patient and Embrace the Learning Curve
If you’re not using Git daily, be patient with yourself; you will make mistakes, and that’s okay! Mistakes are part of the learning process. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed or discouraged – it’s tough until it’s done!

🕑Now’s the Time
Three days left – so go for it! You’ll find so much support, and completing this challenge will give you a fantastic sense of accomplishment and practical Git experience.

Let’s make these last days of Hacktoberfest 2024 count! Comment and reach out if you need any specific help🚀