Kristen
College is a new thing! You're given more freedom, sometimes don't even have to go to school on certain days, and you can sleep in much more frequently (Depending on your schedule. Hint: 7:30 am classes are not fun!) Also, you're given more responsibility. No more mom waking you up to get to school on time, giving you homework reminders, or money hand-outs. The whole coddling thing is pretty well over.
I think your stint in community college was an idea well thought-out. You have an undergraduate degree and no student debt. It was, honestly, like an extended stint in high school, but it is so well worth it in the end that you're good for sticking with it. Not only did you graduate with a pretty fantastic GPA, but you got a great academic scholarship to SCAD. Yes, SCAD, the school we applied to right after high school and were destined to take a wee detour before arriving. We're getting there, though! Nothing comes fast and free -- you've got to put your time in to it.
Cassandra
Look kid, I know money doesn't seem like an issue to you now but let me tell you... it is! Artist exploration is fine but you can find that at any school that has an art studio. This school will give you great experience but you also want to think about the kind of money you're going to end up having to pay in the end. You'll owe them your soul. Most 20-somethings don't come out of that place with a job that pays $60,000 a year so think it out before you jump in okay? Think of the challenges BEYOND school and ask yourself... what do you REALLY want to do for a carreer?
Kristina
I would tell myself to loosen up and have some fun, as long as it does not interfere with my studies. I’ve always been the shy type, the person afraid to ask questions for fear of looking stupid. I would go back in time and let myself know it is okay. Find out all the information you can now, so in the future you won’t be unsure. I would also tell myself to apply to my chosen college before graduating high school, instead of being so indecisive.
Brittany
At SCAD, I have access to, and contact with innumerable talented and amazing professors and people who are in the art, performing arts, and design world. There is such an amazing array of classes I can take which have helped me to hone my abilities as an artist. I receive constructive criticism in my classes that is honest and very helpful. I have also been able to exhibit some of my work at a local Savannah gallery which has helped me to gain exposure. For this coming summer, I am applying for an externship at a fashion house in New York, which SCAD has helped me to arrange. I have also met so many other students who are talented in the arts that I can get feedback from and throw ideas off of. Living in Savannah has definitely enriched my college experience with all of its theaters, art galleries, and museums. Attending SCAD has been an invaluable experience for me so far and I look forward to my years to come!
Stefany
Through studying at Savannah College of Art and Design, I have really found myself and what I want to pursue as a career. SCAD has allowed me to explore my current major of Accessory Design. No other fashion or art school has this program avaliable, so it's a really great opportunity I have at this school to access all the resources I need to become successful as a designer. SCAD is so fortunate to have all the updated exclusive software programs that allow me to open my skills to the world of technology as it's changing today. SCAD is also subscribed to various fashion publications such as WWD, WGSN, and stylesight where the students can have access to those as well. The professors here are all passionate about wanting the students to learn and succeed in a world where art is slowing fading. I am so confident in the skills and education I have achieved so far and have made tremendous progress from day one at SCAD. Professors here love to see students grow and that is something I have definitely seen in myself. SCAD has exposed me to the the right materials, guest speakers, and industry professionals.
Annie
College has taught me a lot not only in my field of major, but about life. Due to the diversity of the people that attend and its location, I have learned a lot about people and find myself to be a more open person. Living on my own, not only in the dorms in previous years, but off campus as well, has taught me a lot about how to handle taking care of myself, including transportation, food, and bills, especially since I am 600 miles away from home. My school has instilled a work ethic in me because of the work load and inspiring teachers and former students who help you to strive to reach your best potential. I have found that my course of study is much more than it simply appears to be to society, and that in order to complete it, I must work hard, including attending classes for the next two years that are 5.5 hours long, twice a week. I've learned the value of the education I'm recieving not only through experiencing its rigor, but knowing that it is a top national program, which again leads me to strive for my best.
Jammie
I am returning to college to further my desire, and quest for knowledge.
I want to make a difference in the lives of women, their families and the community at large. I would like to be part of a force, that moves women and children out of harms way, and into a better life (whatever that might mean for them). Learning has been the best part of my arsenal in work and personal experiences. Knowledge has opened a whole
new world that would not have been there for me otherwise, and has given me a voice where before there was none. I do not take anything at face value I have learned to be analytical and view a subject from more than one point of view. Education provides us with a global view of what is around us, and teaches us if we fear something, learn more about it. I will always find a way, to speak for those who can not, and to further my own learning experience. I am a better human being because of the education, and will continually grow as my learning does. I will never stop learning.
Matthew
SCAD has been a tremendous experience. More importantly, SCAD has taught me how to dream impossible dreams and know they can come true, how to embrace the unique person I am and develop my inner gifts. I received aa bachelors degree at another college before coming to SCAD and I didn't enjoy the experience. I am not the most scholarly student , I am intelligent, I easily bore with traditional acadamia. SCAD professors are the best because they are passionate about what they teach and living examples of practicing artist with connections that are empressive in the industry. They are willing to help students develop and promote their talent and abilities. I have found many of them who are willing to assist you on personal projects and introduce you to key persons that can assist. The education that we are receiving is cutting edge, and infused with the latest technology. It is not just about today, but preparation for the tomorrow that has not come and the one we do not know what will look like. The question for students leaving SCAD is not whether or not they will get a job, it is simply where will the job be.
Zachary
To work with passionate people who have a lot of creativity results in a positve, unforgettable experience that will last me a lifetime.... The education I've received this far will take me through the rest of my life and help me in many areas.
Rodney
College has been the most liberating experience for me because I am being molded into the true man I desire to be in life. My voice was always fragile, in fear of the potential greatness it could achieve. It wasn’t until I vanquished fear and began to communicate with others on campus that I found that not only was my voice important, but it allowed me to better define myself to the world. For a while now, I have been so apathetic and sheltered, barely being acknowledged to exist. It’s funny, because when I was younger I was so vibrant and vigorous, but over time I slowly concealed my identity, and mainly my voice. Well now, I have broken that silence and have chosen to use my voice to its full potential, and be the real me behind the façade.
Jamied
It's one thing to be traveling from home to school when you still have the comforts of home so close to you, however, it's a completely different experience going to college on your own and fend for yourself. This experience really gets you to focus your mind on the things that are important for yourself. You learn to give tasks an order to get things done and then relax when everything has been accomplished. You develop a sense of self awareness that tells you the things that you can do and makes you realize when you cant do it alone. As a bonus, you even get to experience a completely different environment. It's very refreshing and helps you expand your horizons even more.
anissa
well i have only been a college student for ten weeks, but i feel like i have already learned so much. going into scad i was unsure what it would be like, after all its art school, so i had the sterotype already in my head. but in the short time i have been there they have already taught me to think more like a real artist/designer. they have really helped me see things in a new perspective and helped me see my art in a new and interesting way.
Christa
I have learned so much through my college experience -- in class as well as out. I have learned what it is like to live life "on my own" and how to function better as an adult. I have learned how to live out my faith on my own, and not just because of my parents influence. I have acquired more knowledge and wisdom about life decisions and the courses that I have studied. I have learned how to work and live better with other people who did not grow up int he same environment that I did. I have learned how to manage my own bills, and how to work hard in order to finish my education debt free -- something many individuals do not consider when attending college. It has been a wonderful experience.
Heather
In my college experience, I have gained a great abundance in information and skills ito create art. I never realized I was learning, because enhancing your skill in art is just practicing over and over. Doing so has allowed me to expand my abilities over different mediums and art tools. I have also gained a sense of independence in college. I have never been on my own before the start of college, thus college has taught me to be responsible and punctual.
College has been valuable to attend because I feel that it is helping me reach my goal of becomming a Visual Effects Artist. If I decided to not attend college, I would not learn the skills I need to fufill my dream. Furthermore, I will have a better chance of getting hired than if I did not attend college.
John
There is more to obtain than just an education when you attend college. I have obtained a wide variety of life long friends ranging from students to professors. With these colleagues going into the same career field that I am going in, it will not be difficult to adjust. I have also discovered that college is absolutly the most friendly enviroment I have ever been in. There is not a single person who is not willing to help. Upon arrival, one would think that everyone is caught up in there own work. But the reality is that those people care. I can only imagine what the business world's future will be like with such an array of nice people.
Nicole
Even after losing my brother and father as a child, I would have thought the worst was over. However, high school consisted of some of the worst years of my life. My mother underwent radiation treatment the summer before my freshman year, and I endured constant bullying. I was physically and mentally drained. The only thing I had during that time was drawing. Art was my therapy, and by the end of freshman year, I knew I wanted to utilize drawing in my career. When a teacher told me about SCAD my senior year, I knew where I wanted to go, and I don't regret my decision in the least.
College has helped me open up as a person, after everything that has happened in my life, it seems like I can, for the first time in my life, smile and truly say I'm happy. I have found an array of friends and classmates I can relate to. The work is tough, but college has taught me that as long as I'm around friends and doing what I love, drawing, there's no obstacle I can't climb.
Angelina
Well I am a 2010 graduate from Iver. C Ranum High School and my college experience is quite limited as to that I have not started or been admitted yet to any college yet. Before I graduated from high school the thought of going to college right after finishing four years of continuous struggle, I felt I was not ready or prepared to go to college. And through the time of my senior year to experience colleges that I might be interested to continue my knowledge or getting a career was not convincing enough for me to want to suceed. The only college experience i have been through is through my friends and acquantances words who seem to be enjoying life in college, which is whyI ask myself and think a lot of " I wish I had taken advantage of going to college when I had the chance."
Brittany
My college experience has been an adventure! Being able to choose when I get to go to class, the time and what day. Also meeting new people at college is a great experience , I have made a few new friends! But the best experience about college is that you will recieve a degree, which will give you a career and be successful. That's what college is, it's success. I came to realize why college has been a valuable experience. College is about you setting a goal and your prize will be success. So you keep thinking positive and never giving up on accomplishing your goal, and you also learn how to reach for success. Once you mastered your goal your recieve a degree for a career ,and success lead you there. Because thats what college is, it's success.
Jessica
On the first day of college, I knew I was in for an amazing experience. Everything around me was so different and the people around me seemed so mature. It was a huge culture shock for me. I guess I never really thought about how different it would be compared to high school. Ever since then I've grown to only love it more. College is great; there's a sense of independence, freedom, and there's definitely been a lot of self-discovery. For me, I've been able to meet a lot of great people and professors. I've been able to choose which courses I want to take and the learning experience has been outstanding. I've never felt so pushed to do well, and the feeling of success and accomplishment when achieving the scores and grades I desire is the most amazing feeling in the world. I'm so motivated to move forward to pursue and attend the institution of my dreams and not only that, but to finally figure out which career path I should follow.
Patience
The most valuable experiences I have gotten out ofcollege are advice on my art, my craft, and on life, and the social networking skills needed to exceptionally excell in my field of study. I am always learning new ways to create and advancing my skill set, but the best things I have learned and experienced at my college have been through the experiences I've had with my classmates and professors. My life would not be the same if not for my college experiences so far. I am truly grateful that I attend a college that gives me an opportunity to meet some of the most amazing people and artist to ever live. Although it may sometimes be "behind the scenes", the wonders of the artworld will never cease to amaze me.