“If you bring the fullness of your attention to the most ordinary gesture, it becomes extraordinary.” Barbara Dilley
In this post, I talk about some primary feelings that you might encounter after getting into grad school. First, I will talk about the first impressions of anxiousness and second the necessity of not panicking and thirds do not getting overwhelmed by vast resources, appreciate being in presence of your professors and talented colleagues.
1. Primary Feelings
When you get into grad school especially Fine Arts, you might be surrounded by many other grad students who are already in school and by observing what they make you get this feelings that your work might not be good enough to be in such environment or you should not have come here in the first place. But know that you have come to a place that has been your dream and if you are passionate enough you can handle your creations and also remember that there are thousand of people out there who are more talented than you and they might not get this opportunity of going to school for many reasons and especially financial ones, so embrace and appreciate the chance that you have to study and do your own work.
2. Do not Panic
When you get into any art program, do not panic or do not get disappointed as you step to their world. In fact, do not consider it as a "Competition," no, a very "Big NO." If you are terrified and consider your art making as a marathon competition, you would stress out and will not be able to focus on making good artworks. Try to stick to what you are making and what you want to make. It is seriously very important, because you might confront many students or peers who have years of professional experience in their art-making, and most of them have a deep connection with the subject that they are making works about. Here, in this case, you cannot say A's work is better than B's work; we are all different human beings with different characteristics, and we consider and prioritize things and life facts differently, and we all need all these different viewpoints. Apart from that, try to be yourself. For instance, consider yourself to mimic your friend's gesture, if you mimic A's gesture and you are B, you are still B and cannot replace yourself by copying A's gesture. It is not only my words, but also many art curators and art critics think that when in the first place you consider art-making as money/competition, you will not be able to make good works. So, do not panic and punch your consciousness.
3. Do not Overwhelmed by Vast Resources
When you get into most credible art schools, you will be surrounded by many resources, including; visiting artists, critic lectures, tonier faculty lectures, MFA student lectures, Faculty's shows, Gallery openings, applying for residencies, video data banks, special collections, museums, many art books and magazine. All are great and so useful, but the problem is you will not have time to check them all, so you might invest in every second that you have and take less courses to handle the situation and take the most benefit of what you are in.
4. Appreciate Being in the presence of Passionate Professors
In school you will find professors who are dedicated and passionate about their works. Therefore, try to find the ones you feel connected to and follow their works, because it gives you such courage and passion to create more works. Most of them also are so busy so try to use the time in class you have with them. They are two categories of professors; 1. the ones are so busy with their own works and outside school works and 2. the ones that are also busy with their works but still make the time for you to meet and deal with your concerns.
5. Appreciate Being in the presence of different Artists Views
I believe students should benefit from being in a presence of many other talented students and classmates. Because this makes you to grow up more in your artistic careers and try to make deep connections for your art career and benefit from having studio visit with one another and know that his will be a mutual benefit.