I feel as though the past week and a half have been a bit stressful, especially because my out of school life most definitely affects my in school life. However, I feel that my overall performance in my classes are good and I am prepared.
In Seminar I feel as though I come with a good attitude, my homework done, and a willingness to work and get things done. I feel like this shows in my work and my capability. After carefully taking into consideration revisions, what meanings I can take from readings, and so on, I feel that I have grown as a writer and reader and that I can confidently say that this class is helping me grow.
In Studio I feel that I tend to come with a tired feeling. It’s always on Fridays at 9 AM and sometimes that really gets to my mood, I feel sluggish and ready for the weekend, and I feel like that feeling spreads throughout the class. I happily do my work but am reluctant to keep recreating iterations. I think I’m unhappy because I don’t feel like I have enough freedom, or enough freedom in comparison to my previous Studio class, and I feel like this unhappiness is reflected through the work I create as well as the tired and slow attitude that’s felt.
In Drawing and Imaging I think that I’m doing well, I work hard, am excited to learn, and ready and happy to help others. There is something about the energy that my teacher, Daina, brings to the class that resonates with me, makes me want to work hard and be proud of the work I’m creating. I’m very excited to learn Illustrator and was very happy to dive deeper into Photoshop. I feel like my excited-ness and energy that I put into this class is what makes me and my grades feel good. I believe it also helps to create a better environment for learning.
In Sustainable Systems I don’t think I pay enough attention to its existence. I pay attention in class, listen to the guest speakers and lectures. However, I tend to forget that that class exists. I think this is because there aren’t many ‘making’ projects or an innate focus on creation which is why I forget to do readings. I always make them up, but sometimes I just feel like it’s unnecessary because my teacher won’t take it in if it’s late. I think I could go to that class with more energy and excitement to create better design and illustration but after a six-hour painting studio and the weekend looming near, I tend to let things slide and feel unmotivated in that class.
In Painting I am excited to learn, even though we have been doing still lives for a long time now. I’m very excited to start working on my own things instead of painting from life (very literally) or copying from a Master. Although I enjoy these things, I really want to start to find my own style, what painting means to me, and if I can really start doing something out of it. I took this elective because I really wanted to start painting and haven’t had much experience with it in my life, and I think this excitement and energy is seen through the class, even though it dwindles as the class moves from the third hour to the sixth.
In Italian, I believe that I show my willingness and happiness to be learning another language. I think it’s really cool to be learning another language, and for some reason, even though the class is on a Saturday, it feels like a very happy morning, it feels more like I’m doing something for myself rather than having to take a class because it’s mandatory, and I really enjoy that. Although it shortens my weekend, I am excited to be able to be a bit more conversational as well as feel confident enough to try and study abroad to Italy in my junior year.
Overall, I feel that I am putting a lot of my energy into my classes. Something that I always tell people that ask about what my college experience is currently like, I tend to say, “For me, it’s class, work, sleep.” I put all of myself into getting work done, working at my part-time job, and getting adequate sleep to start it all over the next day. Although I don’t get to focus on personal art and taking the time to really rejuvenate, I feel like I’m young and ready to put everything out there, be the best I can be, even if I tend to be a bit tired. I feel as though this reflection is a resolution to the rest of the semester, a reminder to study strong, work hard, and get excited for the years to come.
