[Chris Hibner]

I would suggest the following:

1. Do you want to continue using the same language as the current programmer? If the answer is yes, then be sure the current programmer allows you to do some parts of the code. They don't have to be super difficult in your first year, you should have some responsibilities. There's nothing like being required to do something - it really helps force you to learn.

2. Do you want to use a different language than is currently used? If this is the case, then I would try and do a mirror version of your competition robot code in the new language. This way, you learn the language while having working robot code to build on for next year.