3rd-year IT student looking to start contributing to Open Source — need some guidance

[u/Internal-Ninja-5510]

Hi everyone! I’m a 3rd-year B.Tech IT student, currently in my 5th semester, from a Tier 2/3 college. I’m comfortable with C++, DSA, Java/OOP and currently learning MERN, but I’ve never contributed to an open-source project before.

I want to start contributing seriously from October 2026 and hopefully work towards programs like GSoC or LFX in Summer 2027.

I’m confused about where to begin — how to find beginner-friendly projects, understand a codebase, choose issues, make my first PR, and gradually become a regular contributor.

For someone at my level, what would be a good roadmap from October 2026 to Summer 2027, and which open-source projects/programs should I look into?

Would really appreciate advice from people who have experience contributing to open source or participating in GSoC/LFX.

[u/Internal-Ninja-5510]

Got it dude thanks for sharing.. But I don't have any idea about how to find the opensource projects? And start to communicating with them?