I may be biased, but I actually prefer the most elusive 4th year labs being done in 1st year, as the projects to be built are much more easier and it is way more rewarding when a teacher hands you a specification sheet and tells you how to use (for example) an AND and OR gate with absolutely no mention of the project.

You can truly call the creation your own, and if you really get stuck you can go talk with the very helpful teacher (or other students) and they will lead you into the right direction without directly giving the answer.