I see the next validation in 4 days according to the website. As a 1st timer, does that mean I"ll have to wait for 4 days to start mining?
if you have passed the validation, no need to wait, turn on the online mining function and start earning

I've just downloaded the latest node and the windows client and the client is currently synchronizing with the network. I've not even received my invitation code, hence asked if I need to wait till the next validation shown on the website.