Kansas City Art Institute Top Questions

I could have used some more maturing and preparation throughout highschool. Without a doubt, the first thing I'd discuss with myself is the intense change of moving, losing touch with close friends, and the harsh financial concerns that come with first moving out and away from your family. Following that up, I'd mention that I should study graphic design and contemparary art considerably before entering colllege. The knowledge isn't required of our school, but having the fore-knowledge would certainly influence the portfolio I submited to KCAI. Finally, I guess I'd have to remind myself to breath. The workload our school puts on our students is intense, and it's easy to lock yourself up in your appartment or studio and work around the clock. I'd have to remind myself to live life, and get connections out there in the world.

I would tell myself to get ready. Get ready to work and to work hard. It's not going to be as easy as high school. At college, you don't have a week to get a painting or other project done. I would tell myself about the deadlines that I have to meet and complete with exceptional progress every time. Yeah, I would tell myself that I could have fun, but homework and school comes first. And, I would tell myself that I can't just try to get something done. I have to apply myself and DO it. There is no trying. I could not stress that enough to myself. Because that is the main thing that I need to stress on. The dream cannot become a reality unless you work hard and stop at nothing to pursue it.

I would tell myself to remember to always be openminded of other people and their ideas. I would tell myself that every person has the same potential, no matter who they are or where they come from. I would remind myself to treat others the way I want to be treated. I would encourage myself and others to constantly take risks: you only live once. At the same time, it is important to remember where you are and why you are there, and to be responsible.

The advice I would give my highschool senior self is to forget about everything taught to me during highschool. You only need to retain the materials from 5th grade down to function in society. Prepare yourself to specialize in your major and make room for the dense material.

If I could speak to my pre-college self I would say this: Julie, you know that you are a social person. Friendships and relationships are very important to you, they always have been, but don't let them determine your study habits. When something fails in your social life, and you are upset, you are going to feel inclined to lay around, watch movies, just relax and tell yourself to take it easy. I would like to inform you that this is not the best medicine. It won't make you feel better about how you made a drunken fool of yourself Friday night, or how your boyfriend dumped you. The one thing that will always get your back on your feet again, 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time, is going to studio. Being productive. The hardest part is getting out of bed and actually getting there, but once you do, you begin to feel like yourself again. You will feel strongerand more confident, and at least the academic aspect of your life won't slip in addition to everything else. When everything feels horrible just get up, put on your favorite outfit, grab a cup of coffee, and begin sketching.

I would tell myself to study harder because I did not have good study habits and I have had to work extra hard to bring up my GPA from a few classes where I partied instead of just doing the homework. A few more hours a week would have saved me so much time and helped me qualify for a lot more scholarships!

"HEY! Art is great, but you love math, you love science, you love to read and to write, why are you looking at going to a school that only offers you one of these passions? You have a tendency to make up your mind about something and shut every thing else out. When you start looking at colleges, this is the worst possible mind set you can have. Look at some schools you normally wouldn't expect to go to. Look at schools that are not specifcally art oriented. You desire an education in so many different things and yet here you are, looking at only one type of school with only one type of education to offer. Don't limit your possibilities. And as much as it hurts to say this, listen to your mom, she actually has some good input."

This is a difficult question, one that has plagued mankind for thousands of years. When I first considered the question, a torrent of moments from my life flooded my consciousness. My brain began to take on water like a ship lost in a wayward storm. If I could go back I could warn myself about my past relationships, I could know what school to go to, what major to stick with, I could tell myself to spend more time with my grandmother because the next time id see her she would be in a casket. Naturally it was difficult to come up with an answer, but I feel I have found it. If I could go back in time I would tell myself nothing. Because it is our failures, as well as our successes that make us the people we grow up to be. As much as I want to go back and warn the wayward youth I used to be, that wayward youth I still am; I know that facing my failures and learning from them will teach me more than avoiding them. We cannot promote backwards thinking we must look forward, and affirm life with no regrets.

Don't pay for your first year out of pocket. It was a decission everyone around me support, but it was one of my biggest mistakes. Accept the loans you can Freshman year, so that no matter what, you can continue to your edducation after your Sophemore year. The Financial Aid office won't really help you out very much, so it's better to start early with loans, so you can carry on through the next four years. Also, don't skip class, no matter how tempting, unless you're really sick. Just push yourself to your limits and beyond to achieve an artistic dream you've had since childhood. Sleep on weekends, work as hard as you can through the week, and never fall short of the best. Don't take the easy way out, because there's nothing to learn down that path. Never tell yourself you're fighting through art school to prove your family wrong, but to prove to yourself that you can do anything. Don't get cocky, but don't sell yourself short, either! And never, EVER forget that your family is only a phone call away.

Be involved and active in your own experience. Going to college is not a given or a right--it is a special opportunity, one that only lasts a short amount of time. The experience is what you make of it. This is why being involved and active--from your choice of which college you attend (by visiting beforehand and talking with students and faculty), to using resources and facilities to their fullest is very important. Remember that you are surrounded by people that care about the same things you do--both students and faculty--and that this is a rarity. Be involved in campus activities. Take work study jobs. Attend events. Volunteer. Make attempts to not only develop friendships with classmates and faculty, but also administators and staff members. These people are there for you and they have information and life experience to share. Do not complain about the way things are on your campus--ask questions and a seek understanding about the bigger picture. This will help you to figure out not how your school can change to enhance your experience, but how YOU can change to enhance your own experience. And finally: go to class always.