I recently had an epiphany. It may or may not have been the moment we wait for all our lives - the moment when we discover what we love, what our niche is. In hopes of inspiring someone, or many people, I would like to share my experience.
The past couple weeks have had their rough moments. I've dealt with disappointments. There's been days where I've felt like nothing was going right. I've had multiple breakdowns. I went into a bit of a funk for some time.
During times like these, we all look to be comforted by our friends and family. Luckily, I have an incredible support system and many people who lift my spirits. But in addition to them, I managed to find something that really kept me going.
From 2 to 5 pm on Mondays, I have my graphic design class. I sat in class the other day, prepared as ever to work on this project, and sat down to sketch. I spent an hour and a half with my head stuffed in my sketchbook, and when I lifted it up, ripped the page out and scanned it into the computer, I couldn't help but be amazed at what I'd just created. But I didn't stop there - I started tracing over my sketch in Adobe Illustrator. I wasn't even trying to visualize the final piece - I let my strokes flow, I added one touch at a time, working hard at every little detail. It was one of the most amazing feelings I'd ever felt. In fact, I suddenly looked away from the computer screen, and it was 5 pm. There were only two other students left in the room. I was majorly in the zone - this doesn't happen when I do work for any other classes. I was really disappointed to have to leave the classroom. I just wanted to sit and draw on Illustrator for hours. I love every minute of it. I love the idea that this is something I could apply to a job, a career, a future. Every-day situations. Logos, icons, graphics you see everywhere - I could be creating those. My work could go down in history, and I would treasure every minute of creating it. I would have a job I looked forward to going to every day - I've never looked forward to going to a class as much as I do this one. This is the one class I feel in control of - I feel like I can show up motivated and ready to sit down and work for hours. There's never a moment where I'm bored or don't have anything to do. I'm always striving to make my pieces the best they can be, and if I've finished them, I'll immediately start researching and developing ideas for the next project. I come out of class every day feeling like I worked really hard and accomplished something. It's not the same kind of accomplishment you feel when you complete hours of hard math homework. Instead, it's a relaxed sense of accomplishment. You feel like you put yourself into something. The project you completed was part of your everyday routine. And you can't wait to go back and do more the day after tomorrow.
I came into college as a completely undeclared major. The first semester was extremely dry in terms of school work - precalculus, history of education, honors writing about literature - none of the courses I took really caught my attention. I didn't find myself awaiting these classes often, although I did like history of education since I was considering being a teacher. Counselors, family and friends have always told me that if I was to go into college undeclared, I could take courses that sounded interesting so I could feel out the different fields. I didn't believe them when they said this would help me make my decision, until this past month.
The only reason I took this course was because I'd declared a photography minor at the end of last semester, and it was one of the core requirements. I've always had a passion for photography. I declared the minor completely arbitrarily - I figured I'd be able to take a few courses in it, and if I didn't like it, I'd drop it.
Intro to Digital Photography is interesting, and motivating, but Digital Media is where my heart is. I'm absolutely in love. Sure, it comes with complications. The class is long, but in three hours you really have time to develop an idea and go into depth with it. I've spent endless hours in the print lab and the mounting room, but when you look at the final product on a black mount board or on professional photo paper, you get a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. All your hard work looks back at you and says, "Good job."
I'd always known I loved design. Ever since elementary school, I would doodle in my notebook and work harder than most of my classmates in art class. Teachers always loved my projects. And as I went on to high school, everyone told me I should major in graphic design. I considered it, but I wanted to take the first year of college to try out different classes just to make sure. I think I can say I've found my niche. I've found what makes me happy, what I can spend hours doing and not get bored of it. I love it. Every minute of it.
If at any point in time you're unsure of what to do, let your life take you where it will, and simply follow your heart. You will undoubtedly be led down the right path. And for those of you planning on going to college, TAKE CLASSES!!!
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