Maine College of Art Top Questions

Everything is going to be okay so stick to your gut and choose the school you know you are going to be happy at. Remember that you can't progress unless you challenge yourself, and not just academically. Challenge yourself in all areas both right now and tomorrow. Everyone's always telling us to choose the safest path but what's the point of life if we didn't let it change us through it's challenges? You may be pressured by your parents to pursue the more profitable talent, or to go to the school that's most affordable, but It's not about your parents. It's about you and how you are going to choose to live in that moment. So do what your are passionate in and relax! Once you get there, everyone is in the same boat as you and you're all there for the same reason. Now choose friends who will support your art making and good habits and just be happy. You get out of life what you put into it and it's the same with your artistic career. Your career is part of your life, might as well enjoy it.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself two things. First of all, I would tell myself to take better advantage of the resources that were available to me. I found myself just gliding through things without full effort. If I had fully emersed myself into my work, specifically in my advanced art class, I would have been able to handle some of the academic challenges that I face in college. While I am not the worst at drawing, I could have easily prepared for the class better by focusing on it a little more in high school. The second thing I would tell myself is that nothing is set in stone; it's okay to change my mind and try new things. All throughout high school I had my mind set that I was going to art college and I was going to focus only on photography and that was it. However, instead of taking photography my first semester, I took a graphic design introduction class and fell in love with it. I can still do photography for sure, but it is okay to experiment.

Looking back in time at myself, I need to tell myself to buckle down, don't slack as much as I did. I know I could have done so much better if I wasnt focusing on everything else around me. Figure out my dreams and figure out extactly what I want to do for college sooner, have a better game plan. I need to tell myself that everything is going to be okay, it just takes some time. Take a deep breath and relax. Don't let all the negative comments and people get to you. I let others bring you down, stand up for yourself, you're a strong minded person and I know you can do anything. Focus, do all the class you have to and do all the extras that you want as well. You've got a bright future ahead of you, you just don't know it yet. Good luck, you can do this. Focus and try hard and you will make it I promise.

I did not come to college with the expectation of achieving the amount I have thus far this early in my educational career. I have clearly and strictly been taught skills and techniques I can use to develop my skill set with a certain material as well as a skill set I can use in life as a student and beyond. I have been pushed, pulled and, worn down to the breaking point many times while I have been working at school but not without great satisfaction and reward that comes from the accomplishment of rising back up and taking on the challenge. It is important for me to attend school to further my education, not only because I would be the first in my family to attend, but for my own personal gain, and willingness to advance in the world. I know I would not have been given the opportunities and responsibilities I have been given as an adult if I did not choose this path in life. I have made connections that made a positive impact on my life and I feel I can rely on as I carry on with a new cofidence I have been given.

Gaining the ability to think for myself, to recognize outstanding ideas, and to turn my ideas into successes for student team members, co-workers, and myself, has defined my college experience as invaluable. These abilities will make me successful in all of my endeavors during college and beyond. Without the pushing, prodding and pulling of my professors, with whom I have fostered positive relationships, I would not have been able to gain the required skills to relate to others necessary for life in today’s high paced, dynamic world. Arriving at college my first semester I lacked the confidence and experience to know which of my ideas would be most successful. Through captivating lectures and powerful discussions, I learned to turn criticism into an opportunity for growth into an openness that has allowed me to develop ideas that are well formed and irrefutably defended. Being able to clearly articulate ideas will help with all of my relationships: other students, potential employers, co-workers, clients, and family. Strong mentor relationships with professors, determination and dedication to my studies has given me valuable skills that will continue to be useful in my accomplishments as I pursue lifelong learning and a rewarding career.

Art school is very different from other colleges and universities. You need to try as many different mediums and products as you can inorder to expand your knowledge when creating art. Practice writing along with reaseaching artists that you like. The more you write and look at other art the easier it will be to write about your own work when it comes time to write your thesis senior year. Read everybook and article you are assigned as well as being opened with your professors if you are unable to complete readings. Have a strong self esteem and self motivation. Self motivation is key because the more you read and look at art the clearer it will become when you think about why you like to make art. One of the biggest things you do not want to do is be closed minded. Do not pick a class because it is not in your medium. Take a drawing class if you're in ceramics. You willbe surprised how much clearer your ideas will be when taking classes outside of what you do best.

The advice I would give to myself is don't be afraid of taking chances or risks. Life is full of chances and oppurtunities and you'll never know what they are unless you spread your wings and fly to new places and conquer your dreams. Life is what you make of it; go for it.

I would tell myself that I should go to college for a profession that intrests me and that I will enjoy for the rest of my life. College is a great way to improve ones knolledge and skills that will allow me to have confidence and education to help me to grow for my future. I would tell myself that even though college might be the last thing on my mind presently, that I will be much more ahead for the career and goals I have currently set for myself and will be happy that I followed my gut feelings. I would also remind myself that gaining knowledge now will help my chances in the future when trying to obtain a job and that if I finsh school now I will be much further ahead as far as knowledge is concerned and will have the opportunity to gain more degree's in the career choice I have made which will give me that much more opportunities to be in a higher position and be more financially sound. Education is very important in every asspect of life and a person can achieve so much more with a college degree.

Knowing what I know now I would go back to myself as a high school senior and say "save your money". I would tell myself to look for scholarships and stop procrastinating. Being a senior in college I have learned through the years that money isn't just always going to be there. Unexpected expensis will pop up and you will have to pay for them on your own. Even though you are in school still you are an adult and you have to take responsibility for yourself. I would also tell myself to chill out. Slow down and enjoy college. I am a bit of a work-a-holic and tend to get caught up in my work. I have found myself missing out on some parts of college that I can now never get back.

Going back to my senior year I was worried about what it would be like being away from home and how i would make friends. Since I have been at college I have had the oppourtunity to make many new friends with friendships even stronger than the ones I had had back home. I would have to let myself know that the first few weeks of being on my own is diffucult but when you get involved everything turns out to be great fun. College isn't all parties, and it isn't all work, there is that ballance between you time, friend time and school work that i was not able to control in highschool. Going back and telling myself what college is like i'd have to say it is definately an experience i have to go through with and not back away from. attending college is nesecary to my life and will help me find who i am, and even if i'm afraid to go, it's okay because i will make friends who will help me overcome any fears i have.