Wow! We just did that. I’m feeling so many things right now. Imo Counterspell was a success. I’m incredibly grateful I got to even organise this. Despite the chaos, I think we pretty much nailed it. The energy, and the excitement of everyone coding and showcasing their INSANELY AMAZING projects made the craziness worth it.
The planning process was...weird. There were times I felt like I was the only one carrying. From contacting sponsor after sponsor (and getting ghosted lmao) to hearing "sorry, this event is too soon," it was tough. At one point, I even considered kicking pplple off the team because there was no visible effect of what they were doing during the planning phase (they did redeem themselves today!). Thru all this, I learned I might be a perfectionist, and it’s something I think I need to work on.
Would I willingly go thru that level of stress again? Well, maybe not within a two-month timeline. But there were good stuff; Dev’s workshops were incrediblly helpful! They’re honestly the reason we pulled this off so well (Dev, if you’re reading this, THANK YOU). I also went into this w preconceived notions ab pplple, shaped by past experiences. Looking back, I realise that made the process awkward at least for me.
I pulled an all-nighter prepping for the day. Between ordering boba, shopping for food, and trying to finish work I that I needed ready on the D-Day, it was mentally exhausting day. But I felt excited!!
I slept at 11:38 PM unfortunately woke up at 3:35 AM. Was I tired? Yes. Was I scared out of my mind ab how the event would go? Also yes.
Between running around to grab pizzas (which, by the way, were SO tiny) and sorting out afternoon snacks I was so tired from all the walking w the heavy baggage. But the energy in the room? CRAZY. Seeing everyone work on their projects and just be chill and vibe w it was so rewarding.
If I had to describe our team’s dynamic for the whole process from planning to execution, I was the backend and API, quietly making sure logistics dont fall apart, while Ram, Harshil, Shourya, and Dharma were the frontend, making everything seem shiny and exciting.
It was a little bit sad to not see as may girls as guys but maybe one day it will happen!
PLANNING. I THINK I STARTED BALDING FROM THE STRESS. Ik I said I’d work on my perfectionism but next time I feel like we’d work sm better if we have a much clearer and stricter system and not assign tasks to pplple who can’t do them / wont give it their best.
I think knowing the ppl who your working w or completely not knowing also does a lot in making the process smoother. Like with HackEA, when we first started I did not know a thing ab anyone in the team but having this common want to bring to the EA is what connects us! W Counterspell I feel like I might've put ppl in a place they mightve not wanted to be because the group I asked somewhat blindly agreed which made the process painful for a long while.
Timing too! Perhaps 6 more weeks to prepare? I felt a lil overwhelmed icl so having more time would defo be better.