My, oh my has being an architecture major been a whirlwind and the toughest thing I have ever attempted. This major has beat me up, slapped me, eaten me alive and then spit me out… semi-alive (literally and figuratively speaking). Although the challenges have been hard and unimaginable at times, what this major has given me outweighs the negatives. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of other majors that are difficult and a lot of the points I am going to mention could be helpful to your problems as well. So feast your eyes on a few helpful tips to remind you of a few things to always consider throughout architecture school.
1. Don’t compare your work to someone else’s.
This is honestly the worst thing you can ever do. Why? Because everyone has different strengths and weaknesses and nothing good ever comes out of comparison. And remember this gif, will ya? Because it’s gold.
2. I didn’t know how to draw.
Don’t ask me to draw something. I am currently learning how to draw and I am a third year. You don’t necessarily even need to know how to draw because you will be drafting, which can also be a pain. You will be challenged to learn at some point, but don’t concern yourself with trying to become Picasso before you enroll in design classes.
3. Freshman year sucks…. ASS
This gif perfectly illustrates that freshmen year is just plain confusion as to why you are doing a lot of these projects. Your first year in architecture is just a weed out year for the college and to keep you busy. Push through, you got it.
4. Enjoy the growth
Going through architecture school teaches you a lot about yourself. It will push you past your limits and beyond. You could consider them growing pains. Enjoy them, it will make you a better person and designer.
5. The journey is tedious but worth it.
You’re going to have doubts. Pay attention to them — believe it or not, they will make you appreciate the journey more.
6. Procrastination is not your friend.
No, Saturday is not for sleeping. You’ll never get sh*t done and will end up pulling 3 or 4 all nighters in a row (without Adderall) and it will be torture. Trust me.
7. Every project counts
This was me. I thought that I didn’t have enough time to do anything, but now that I’m looking back on my second year in school, I see I finished at least 4 series’ current seasons and am now starting at least 1 new series.
8. You aren’t prepared for the workload
You might cry, but there is no time for it and the tears may get on your project and that’s not cool. And trust me, they will ask you why you’re board has weird dry spots on it.
9. Weekends
You don’t have a life, so let’s get used to it. You may have spontaneous events here and there, but overall you will always have something due even if you pretend there’s nothing due.
10. Believe in yourself.
I think this one speaks for itself. You can’t do anything if you don’t think you are capable of something because if you don’t, no one else is going to.