Art student stress

[Azrani]

Okay, I know that some of you guys are art students, so I'm asking for advice and suggestions. I'm a freshmen majoring in art, and the program at my college is very hard. I constantly have projects for various foundation classes and As are very hard to come by. The art curriculum is deliberately designed to make the workload high and the grading system difficult, which makes everything a lot harder but it leaves you with refined skills. However, the workload and general stress is depressing me. I love art, but it's really wearing me down.

Anyone care to share ways/secrets they endure?

[AirRaiser]

Hummm I had classes like that, they weren't art classes though. At the school I went to Graphic Arts Printing was one of the most demading classes, the other was Nursing. I dun really know how on earth I survived. Best thing to do is just do your best. Your teachers are testing you, they want to weed out the people who they know wont make it. Um just do your best, try new things, listen to TONS OF MUSIC, every once and a while (Ya bad idea but it helps) call out sick and make a day for yourself. BUT make sure you know you have nothing important going on. But yea other then that stress will let up AFTER school is over, well the HW part of it will and you can find that you look forward to weekends and you can actully have a social life more or less

[Sith Lord FP]

To tell you the truth...there is no really way or secret to get through things...you just kinda have to do your best...and hope it all turns out ok...the best thing to do is just concentrate on your studies...as much as it is hard to leave the cyberpet world it is often the best way to get things going on your projects. Oh and whatever you do...keep you physical health in top shape...because if you get sick...well...then you can really work on your projects eh? so if your not a germaphobe...dont nessesarily become one...but stay away from people who are sick, no matter how sad and hard it is to do that. If you have a jamba juice or one of those kinda places get lots of fruit drinks...take vitamin c....anything....just make sure you get ok sleep (sleep at least 4 hours a night) and keep your body healthy...then you can work as hard as you possibly can without being hampered...

Sorry I'm not of much help....I cant think...cause...I got sick *sighs* and now my animation project is going down the toliet cause i cant work on it....thats the best piece of advice i can give right now....but other then that...i hope youll find the modivation to do all your work and stuff...and i wish you the best of luck!

[Sky]

Just think about the fact that actually get to go to art school, unlike those of us who would die to go and can't afford to ^____^

[Saturnalia]

Heh, I feel your pain.

I'm actually in the process of changing majors, thanks to a similar situation.

I'm one of those people with an "english mind"-- I can write, no problem. 10 page essay? Done in 2 hours, and with a good grade, in most cases.
But I decided to be an Animal Science major, and I really just don't have the right kind of mind for math and science; I'm slow at grasping those sorts of concepts, and if it doesn't interest me, it's really had to concentrate. Chem was killing me, and I've just about had enough, heh.

I'm not sure if your school would work anything like mine, but I poked around, and looking into switching my Animal Science: Equine Science specialization major to a minor.
Low and behold, as an Equine Science minor, I get to take the classes about horses that I actually want to take, without the Chem and Orgo and other stuff that really has NO bearing on what I want to do later on, career-wise. I'm switching my major to Comparative Literature, because I know I can handle the workload, and I'll even enjoy it, for the most part.

So, I guess, what I'm trying to say is that try and stick with it for as long as you can. Like FP said, keep yourself healthy. (and sleep more than I do! hah.) But if it's really, really getting you to a point of complete hopelessness, maybe look at some other options. See if you can find a way to do the things you like, without having to suffer through all of what you absolutely can't handle. I know, in my case, if I don't switch majors, I'll probably end up failing out, or being here a basquillion years, so I definitely feel it's the right path for me to take.

[MadMooCow]

Stick to it. DO not let the subject win. The course is though because people neutrally assume that art will be a breeze so they do it. Like it was said, they want to weed out those people.

I'd have to disagree with AirRaiser though, pulling a sickie could put you in a bad situation, turning up and trying your very best will show the teacher that you DO want to be there, and that you DO want to complete the course. What happens if you do take a day off and you miss some important info? it could prove hard to catch up later, or if the class is given another task you will have one less day to work on it.
On the same note though, do treat your self some time, go out and buy that CD you wanted or something. Don't forget to reward yourself.
At the same time; yes, MUSIC will help!

If you do run into problems, talk to your teacher, they should be willing to help you find a way to organize and balance things. (it might earn you more, maybe not the marks, but they will know you are trying)

On the issue of sleep and health. Eat right, Maccas may sound good, but really, once you are stressed, healthy will help with the physical stress that you may put your body under. Sleep is important. Another aspect which will help lower stress. Catch sleep when you can as that and healthy eating will take care of your body, so the rest is in your head and you are not worrying about you loosing/gaining weight. Keep your self healthy, eat and sleep well will help prevent illness, and possibly lower stress.

But that is all just my opinion, just do your very best and try not to let yourself stress - hard I know (I'm in the middle of exams)
Stick too it. It is all character building in the end.