In October 2024, I hopped on a plane to Surabaya, Indonesia, to participate in the Data Analytics Competition 2024 at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS). It was a spur-of-the-moment decision that came with plenty of nerves but also a lot of excitement. For someone who’s always been hesitant about competitions, this was a big leap.

I’ve always doubted myself when it came to joining these events. I worried that I didn’t know enough and would just embarrass myself. But in my final year of university, I decided it was time to put those fears aside. After spending the previous semester on exchange in Australia, I realised how much I loved stepping out of my comfort zone and experiencing new things. So, when my school announced this competition, I signed up—last minute, of course—with a team name that reflected exactly that: “LastMin.”

The Journey to the Competition

The lead-up to the competition was just as last-minute as the decision to join it. On the Friday before the semifinals, I had a midterm exam scheduled in the afternoon. This meant I had to carry my luggage with me to the exam hall, finish my paper as quickly as I could, and dash straight to the airport to catch my flight to Surabaya. It was a whirlwind, but somehow, I made it just in time to attend the gala dinner that night in Indonesia.

Looking back, it felt almost surreal. One moment I was stressing over exam questions, and the next I was in a completely different country, soaking in the lively atmosphere of a new adventure.

The competition itself was centered around the theme, “Predictive Analytics on Sustainable Energy,” which made it all the more meaningful. For the preliminary round, we had to submit a solution online within a few days, analysing real-world data on energy plants in Indonesia. I still remember the relief and thrill when we found out that we’d made it to the semifinals in Surabaya. Only 15 teams were invited to compete in person—most from Indonesia, with one other team from Cambodia—and we were the only team representing Singapore.

The semifinals took place on a Saturday morning, bright and early at 8am. We were given just 4 hours to build a machine learning pipeline and present our solution. It was intense. Being unfamiliar with the equipment provided and working live as a team for the first time was a challenge we weren’t quite prepared for. On top of that, figuring out how to split responsibilities efficiently under such a tight time limit wasn’t easy.

Even though we didn’t perform as well as we hoped and didn’t make it to the finals, we were proud of what we managed to accomplish. Normally, tasks like this would be a group project spread over a few weeks. To complete something reasonable in just four hours was no small feat.

Lessons from the Experience

Looking back, this competition taught me so much more than I expected.

First, I realised that I’m capable of much more than I give myself credit for. For years, I avoided competitions because I was scared of failing. But stepping up and just giving it a shot made me realise that the hardest part is often just saying “yes” and starting.

At the same time, I learned that it’s okay to fail. Sure, it was disappointing not to advance to the finals, especially when we knew we could’ve done better. But considering all the challenges—new equipment, live collaboration for the first time, and being in an unfamiliar setting—we did the best we could. Instead of dwelling on what we didn’t achieve, I walked away proud of what we accomplished and grateful for what I learned.

I also realised that picking up new skills isn’t as intimidating as it seems. There’s a wealth of resources online to help you learn just about anything. This experience gave me the confidence to explore new tools and techniques without overthinking.

Finally, I saw the practical, real-world impact of data analytics in a new light. Working with data from energy plants in Indonesia showed me how meaningful insights can drive sustainable solutions. It inspired me to think about how I can use my skills to contribute to something bigger than myself.

A Memorable Encounter

One of the highlights of the competition was meeting an inspiring professor who was part of the judging panel. During the finals (which we didn’t compete in but still attended), he had a way of questioning the participants that made us all think deeper about our work. He wasn’t just looking for answers—he wanted to understand the thought process behind every decision.

After the presentations, we had the chance to chat with him, and it turned into an eye-opening conversation. He reminded us of the importance of asking “why” at every step of the process—a lesson I’ll carry with me throughout my career.

Wrapping It Up

Deciding to join the Data Analytics Competition 2024 at the last minute was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It pushed me to embrace my fears, taught me the value of resilience, and opened my eyes to the possibilities of data analytics.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this, it’s that sometimes, the best memories come from the things you never planned. So here’s to taking chances, stepping out of comfort zones, and embracing the unexpected.