**Learn a variety of [programming paradigms](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_paradigm "Programming paradigm - Wikipedia"):**

- [ ] Write a program in assembly language
- [ ] Write an application in a functional language
- [ ] Write an application in an object-oriented language
- [ ] Write an application in a prototype-based language
- [ ] Write an application in a logic programming language
- [ ] Write an application using the Actor model
- [ ] Write an application in Forth

**Experience the ins and outs of programming for different platforms:**

- [ ] Write a nontrivial web app
- [ ] Write a nontrivial desktop app
- [ ] Write a nontrivial mobile app
- [ ] Write an embedded app
- [ ] Write a realtime system

**Enhance your understanding of the building blocks that we use as developers:**

- [ ] Write a networking client (e.g., HTTP, FTP)
- [ ] Write a device driver
- [ ] Write a B-tree database
- [ ] Wrap an existing library to provide a better (more pleasant) user experience
- [ ] Write an application or framework that provides a plugin model
- [ ] Write a testing framework
- [ ] Write a programming language

**Enlighten yourself with koans, katas, and the wisdom of ages:**

- [ ] Complete five [code katas](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kata_\(programming\) "Kata (programming) - Wikipedia")
- [ ] Complete the [programming koans](http://sett.ociweb.com/sett/settJan2011.html "Learning Programming Languages with Koans - Object Computing, Inc.") for a language that you want to learn
- [ ] Attend a [code retreat](http://coderetreat.com/ "Code Retreat with Corey Haines")
- [ ] Read [SICP](http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/ "SICP web site") and complete all the exercises

**Program in the open:**

- [ ] Contribute to an open source project
- [ ] Have a patch accepted
- [ ] Earn commit rights on a significant open source project
- [ ] Publish an open source project
- [ ] Perform a [Refactotum](http://thinkrelevance.com/blog/2007/04/03/twir.html "Refactotum") of an open source project

**Learn by teaching others:**

- [ ] Present a lightning talk
- [ ] Present at a local user group
- [ ] Present at a conference
- [ ] Deliver a training course
- [ ] Publish a tutorial
- [ ] Publish a constructive code review of an open source project
- [ ] Write a programming book