DAISY AMES

Before matriculating in architecture school, all I heard was how grueling it was, how little sleep students got, and how students graduate with no increased opportunity of employment. I vow to change that perception. Yes, it is grueling. Yes I get very little sleep. And yes, I will probably have trouble finding a job when I graduate. But I do not want those things to define my time here. I have learned so much already from my courses and studio that I’d rather have my progress be the benchmarks during my time here. There is no reason to even think about school in a negative light because no good ever comes from it. Being positive is the key to staying focused on the long term goal and appreciating the opportunity you’ve been given. 

For some people, things just balance out naturally. I am not one of those super-people. So, like a design project, I have to design my time. I map out what needs to be accomplished in the day and am aware of how I spend my time in relation to what is actually getting done. I maintain a consistent work schedule as best I can, rather than base it around my deadlines. I cut myself off at 1am, and force myself to go to bed, even if I am in a groove. I wake up early and start fresh again. I eat regularly and healthily (thanks to my mini-fridge, the best investment yet). And, I also exercise in the evening to wake myself up for “round two.” A routine has allowed me to feel fresh every most days, organized, grounded, sane and human. It’s comforting knowing what to expect during the day and being prepared for it.

Finally, I write and post to my Tumblr blog. This has helped me reflect on my projects, put words to my scrambled thoughts, get positive feedback, quote some wacky statements, and at times, make fun of myself for further comic relief. It has been a great way for me to chronicle my progress, as well. For now, the studio is my shelter, my classmates are my family, my mini-fridge my means survival, and my blog my means to communicate the progress I am making, keeping me focused on the light at the end of the tunnel. And so far, it’s been fun!