Self-employed as a first job

Hi, I'm an international student on a graduate visa. I will be starting self-employment and this will be my first job in the UK. I have no idea what to register, given my earnings are on a project by project basis. I applied for a national insurance number and am waiting for it to be granted. What else do I need to do? I tried to apply for self-assessment but I don't think I need to make tax returns in this tax year. Thus, I do not need to register for self-assessment before 5th October 2024? Also, is registering for self-assessment the same as registering as self-employed? Thanks so much.

Hi ,
 

please refer to : What a sole trader is   .

Thank you .