Maine College of Art Top Questions

Chin up, Tim. You're frustrated now because you do not know the next step, and you'll be frustrated later because you do not know the next step. As long as you remember that the mind is a terrible thing to waste and your education is the key to your freedom, you will be better off than you were before. You will always have more questions than answers, but you will come across an abundance of individuals that will challenge and inpsire you to continue to question. What will be left are the fine details, such as how you are going to pay for college. Don't worry about that to much either though, because you will learn, somehow, you will make a change, and you will find the freedom you are looking for.

If I had the ability to talk to myself as a high school senior I would have lots of advice for the future. To start I would inform myself that I had a lot of work ahead of me and to be prepared. The second, and maybe the most important advice to succeed as a college student is to not worry so much. The amount of worrying I did as a freshman in college taught me to learn how to manage my time better so that the stress wouldn't destroy me. The last thing I would tell my high school self to do is to simply have fun and do what I love to the best of my abilities.

Art school is NOT what you expect it to be. High school is a cake walk in comparison, so be prepared to have almost no free time. I know leaving home is really scary, but it's okay 'cause everyone's scared. Now that I'm here being home feels strange because I am so used to having a ton of freedom. So forgive yourself of your mistakes, you're coming here with a clean slate. Forget boys, there are almost none here, and the ones that are aren't worth your time. Remember that it's okay to call home any time you want but don't get too crazy. You are setting yourself up for real life. Be who you are and don't worry what anyone thinks of it, because the people who are worth your time are just as strange and awkward as you are, and in the end will thank you for being yourself because it helped them be themselves aswell.

If I could go back to my high school self and give myself advice, I would remind myself that having a roommate that I've never met before is not the end of the world, and that we'd actually get along just fine and she is not going to eat my food when I am not in the room. I would also have told myself to invest myself a little more into my artwork because I am going to get out of the projects exactly what I put into them, even if sometimes the assignments don't always interest me right away. Furthermore, I'd have told myself that having friends is important, but so is building my portfolio. And I definitely would have told myself not to go boy-crazy, because man that's a killer and they totally weren't worth the trouble anyway. Love is important but it's not going to pay off my student loans. I guess the essence of what I mean to say is: all I need is a balance between all the things that are important to me, after that everything else falls into place.

Don't worry so much, everything will work itself out in the end. Honestly, you're making a big fuss over nothing. Sure its scarier being 300miles from home, but really you won't be as alone as you think. Take everything in stride and things will work out. Everything happens for a reason, and on those days you think you just can't take it anymore and want to quit, take a step back and breathe, you'll be fine. I know that it seems like alot of money to spend for school, but that is why its worth it! Its your education, and if you're serious about becoming an Illustrator then this is the step in the right direction.

If I were able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I could tell myself to take advantage of every oppertunity that was given to me. The more people you meet and get to know, the more contacts and resources you have. As an artist, it is important that you get your work and your name out there so that you can become successful at whatever you want to accomplish. I would tell myself to attend more local art shows to see what other artists are doing and creating so that I could have role models and inspiration.

first i would tell my self to take out those piercings and put some normal clothse on. to open my mind up to new and different people and be kinder to those that disigree with you. the world of high school is small and insignificant. who you are and what you think of your self couldnt be further from the truth. creating and making art weather you know it or not has helped you through all the tough times in your life and punctuated all of the greate moments to. art will be the first pursuit that teaches the pride and value of hard work. it will help connect you to others and connect with you self. dont fear the judgment of others. and that there is streangth and courage in embracing your vulnerabities.

Don't hold yourself to any pre-conceived perceptions, because you'll be disappointed if you think college is like it is in those lame comedy films. Do not give a crap about what anybody thinks, talk to people, don't be a phantom in the corner because you'll be miserable. Get off the computer, and hang out with people, accept their offers, put yourself out into the world instead of being such a disgruntled recluse. Also, apply for a work-study job AS SOON as you start school before they fill up like the Titanic with water. Spend more time at school, and not jump ship for the transit back to your town as soon as classes were over. Open up your eyes, and realize that you're not the center of the universe, the world is yours, don't shrug it off because you were too nervous to start a conversation and suffer in silence.

I woul tell my self, that I am right in the decision to post pon going back to school for a number of years. That this decision will give me lots of experience in different area's, the ability to travel and see things I most likely would not get a chance to. That you/I will be better off for it and our work will be better for it also. There is really no advice that I would give my former self on the how to's and what not to do's of college life, as I think that it would spoil the experience. The only thing I would really want to tell my self is that, every thing is going to work out and dont worry about the small things. They just make you stronger.