Massachusetts College of Art and Design Top Questions

My college experience has made me grow into a more self reliant, inteligent, and artistic person. Not only have I learned countless skills and techniques but I also have learned how to come up with conceptual ideas and express them in various ways. I get inspired every day just walking through the school and seeing the variety of students and artwork. Everyone I have meet has a passion for what they do. I feel as though I have made life long friends at this school because we all share the same passion. I believe that this school is preparing me for my future and pushing me to my limits. For a while I was planning on taking a few years off to work and figure out what next. I am so happy that I chose to go to MassArt instead because I have learned so much the past year and a half that I couldn't imagine what I would be doing if I wasn't here at school. Boston has been another amazing plus with going to MassArt. The city is beautiful and only steps away. Day trips always lead to discovering something new.

During my two years at Massachusetts College of Art and Design I have encountered some seriously, soul searching obstacles. Many people have said that the difficulties in life make you stronger. College has taught me something different: The difficulties in life show you the strength you've always possessed. My first year at MassArt was the hardest, but not just because it was the first time living on my own. That year I became a victim of an unplanned pregnancy, my boyfriend was arrested, and I had an abortion. I was destroyed. Trying to make new friends and adjust to college,was difficult. Trying to do do all that and manage what life had thrown my way, was beyond difficult. But I got through all my classes, made some of the best friends I have ever had, and I look forward to my future. My time at MassArt has been invaluable. I have learned that life is by no means easy, and the only way to survive is to “just keep swimming.” I know now, that I have the strength and I always will.

The freedom and the opportunities that I have been given in college have made it so valuable for me to attend. College has given me the opportunity to explore numerous career fields, and to meet students from completely different backgrounds and still find something in common with each other. College has given me the chance to mess up every now and then and to learn something from my mistakes. Although I was a hard worker and a dedicated student throughout all of my schooling, I was often limited by my lack of money, as I lived in a single parent household. For example, I could not attend a middle school trip to Greece because of the cost. However, throughout my college experience, I have been able to earn my own money, gain work experience, and earn additional scholarships that I used towards an amazing study abroad semester spent in Florence, Italy. The most liberating realization that I had in college is the fact that your past can no longer stop you from achieving your goals for the future. College has helped me become the master of my own success.

During my senior year of High School while all my friends were applying to schools and stressing out over essays and such, I was drawing. I have always known I wanted to attend an art school and confident that Massachusetts College of Art would be my future college. My parents have always managed to get my family through difficult times but when it came to sending me to college I could feel the rubber band holding our money together quickly snapping. I have an older sister attending college and with my parents both unemployed the financial situation is only worsening. So for me to atend college is a gift. My college experience has given me a chance to live on my own. Ive had to depend on myself and make difficult choices where had i still been at home i would have depended on my parents. Not only have I been able to create and develop a stonger portfolio but I have been able to work along side of other great artists. The value i take away from my college experience is personal more than anything and i cant wait to show to anyone willing what i am capable of.

Mass Art has been one of the only places for me to truly be myself. I wake up everymorning excited to go to class. In High school I struggled because I was never interested or had tallents in any of the subjects they had to offer. At Mass Art I have teachers who are real artists and who care about giving us young artists the education we need. I feel blessed to be able to express myself through art the way I can at Mass Art. The students at my school I feel I can relate to more than I could with students I went to High School with. We are all creative and appreciate each other's art. We all help each other out and support one another which makes our art stronger. Living in Boston has been great aswell because we are surrounded by so many other colleges that we have the opportunity to make friends from each school.

My college experience has given me more than two hundred words permits me to write. I have been granted the opportunity to better myself and the skills that are required to pursue the career I want to. Because of the superior guidence and challenges the school offers I have grown as an artist and as a person. I am confident to say that when I emerge as a working professional the world will embrace what I have to offer.

I transfered to MassArt after studying one year at URI as a musician. This transition was intimidating and left me with absolutely no idea of what to expect. When accepted, I was required to restart my career as a freshman and take foundation classes. Regardless of my social and financial struggles, I am 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure I am in my right place now. MassArt has provided me with excellent facilities and materials to work with, and key technical skills and understanding. I immediately felt a part of the school community and found it easy to connect with people in ways I found important. Above all of this, the faculty at my school has done so much to encourage me to pursue my passion for 3-dimensional art regardless of its frightening "career prospects". The school and community has truly done so much to broaden my perspective of my roll as an individual, artist, and member of society. It probably sounds a bit ethereal, but even now, I am furthering my personal ideology and philosophy of life in a way that relates dirrectly to what I am doing at school. MassArt has helped me uncover and develope an indispensable, life-long passion.

From an education in contemporary art, I have gained insight and validity in what I have desired to do my entire life: challenge people to think about their existence and how to improve it. Through being exposed to current artistic practices and ideas, I found that my yearning was not only legitimate, but in concert with the dialogue of our time. Without this personal renaissance, I would still be captured in the pessimism that art had to function autonomously from human aid or development. In the past two years I have come to realize that thought is humanity's only ascent from a global depression. The Massachusetts College of Art and Design has shown me that "the way things are is not how they have to be", and that art is about conceptual as well as emotional communication. In this respect, I would say that my college experience has provided me with the rest of my life.

Independence is definitely something I value that I have gotten out of my experience. I have learned to be firm and persistent in order to succeed. Additionally, MassArt has introduced me to various facets of art realated careers. I've always known that I would persue a career in the arts and MassArt was able to help me choose one of those many paths.

There are numerous reasons i am grateful for attending MassArt. I am a transfer student and have been making art on my own. It is difficult creating art when one does not have the proper materials and equipment. Since my time at Mass Art I have been introduced to new techniques and have learned a great deal. I also have an abundant amount of room to work freely. Not only have I been learning through my classes but as I earlier mentioned, there are many transfer students. I attended a community college prior to attending MassArt. I found that the wide variety of age groups helped me gain new perspectives and encourage new ideas. The same is happening at MassArt. There is a wide range of ages within my classes which helps me broaden my perspective. Each person comes with a different experience thus effecting the final outcome of one's own experience. Massachusetts College of art has an abundance of resources that includes other facilities in the Fenway area. I look forward to my next semester and I am eager to continue learning and hope to have a diverse classroom like the last to continue to broaden my perspectives.

Attending college has always been a privilege for me. Being able to attend something where in other countries many cannot is a great honor, especially being able to go for something I love. The most valuable thing about attending Massachusetts College of Art and Design is the sense of preparedness I am getting to be able to have a promising career once graduating. Because of the classes and the faculty, and even the other students there, I have the courage to continue to learn and grow in my field. Because of attending college, I feel more steady and prepared for life outside of the classroom. Another valuable thing I have gotten out of my experience is the ability to make connections with others that I normally would not have made, if it were not for going to school. Meeting people as freshmen and growing and kearning together throughout the years helps build bonds with other students of different majors and backgrounds, helping myself grow as a person and as an artist.

From my college experience I discovered the best ways for me personally to study. I have met some incredible people who strive for excellence and want to impact the community positively. Also relationships that I am sure I will continue to build on for the rest of my life. The memories and experiences make me eager to earn and complete my degree and take on the world. It has been valuable to attend and be placed in this environment that fosters personal growth to make me a stonger and smarter individual. It has been important for me to be some where that bridges the gap of learning and life experience between graduating high school and preparing me for real life. Once I graduate I intend on fostrering other young hopefuls to do the same thing.

Besides all of the loans that I have gotten out of my college experience, I have become a creative, knowledgeable graphic designer. I never thought I would be living in Boston attending a college that specializes in Art and Design; Massachusetts College of Art and Design to be exact. Growing up I thought I’d go to an academic-based college and end up in a cubical like my mother. Luckily, I found myself being a creative individual with talent to succeed in design. I have received so many life lessons and knowledge from attending Mass College of Art and Design. Not only have I learned how to live on my own, be responsible for organizing my money, and finish all homework in a timely fashion, but I have been able to meet so many unique and inspiring people whom genuinely care about me and my art. It is so valuable to attend this school because I have learned more then I ever thought I’d learn about not only graphic design, but many fields of art, that I feel extremely confident to go out into the real world and apply all of my newly gained skills.

I did not originally 'plan' to go to this university for art students. I do however, know the importance of the overall lesson of why learning in general is a specific and enriching experience. I know that enriching experiences help construct the realization of opinions, and they hold validity in some way after. The diverse campus here is home to hundreds of very specific individuals with very valuable educated opinions that I have not only learned to respect; but have put aside my own bias to listen and apply it to my own self. Teachers and students here have much to gain from each other, and even more for me to witness and explore. I have been able to explore my own identity through the relative connections others explore, through art-making and thought processes. It is experiencing the world as a mysterious plane and finding vitality in discovering new ways to 'find solutions' in a world so misunderstood by a conflict between the human being self-consciousness to its exposure to the world. My goal is to apply my own individuality through an 'acceptable' education so the world can 'know' my own discoveries, but understand them to be 'valid'.

I can not begin to describe the incredible things that I have gotten out of my college experience. Although my time at Massachusetts College of Art has not come to an end I feel as if I have already gotten more out of this experience than I could have ever hoped to get. I have been taught by teachers who not only have real world experience, but who have succeeded in their respective fields of work. I am also provided with top of the line equipment and taught the skills necessary to successfully use it to its fullest potential.It has been valuable to attend Massachusetts College of Art because I feel if I had already developed relationships with peers and teachers that will carry over into my professional career after college. With the economy in its current state everyone is having trouble making ends meet. This means that photographers and artists have it even tougher. I cannot underestimate the value of a strong education. This school has challenged me in ways that I did not think it could and because of that I have become a stronger artist, a better person, and an individual.

Here at Massachusetts College of Art, I have learned many things. I have learned to be a better artist, to be more accepting, and most of all, to keep an open mind. Coming here my freshman year, I felt like one person in a huge school. I felt as though I did not fit in and I was unsure what track I wanted to take in my college career. When I started taking courses, they really got me thinking. They challenged my perceptions and made me ask myself why to so many things I would have previously brushed over. I have learned not to take things at face value and to truly dig deeper and find meaning to my work. It has been valuable to attend this school because it has changed my work and my perceptions of the world. College is something that is so idealized in high school but when you actually get there, most people become lost. When you find yourself, that it the true value of college. I have found myself here at MassArt and have gained many experiences thus far and will continue through the rest of my college career.

Going from high school to college was a huge step and begining the path, I began to doubt myself. Once I walked into the college, I knew it couldn't be as bad as many others described it. I got to choose the times and day of my class and it worked best with my daily life. With a push, from my parents I was in there getting good grades and having the time of my life learning about what I want to excel in, in the future opened up my eyes to a whole nother deal. Now I'm going into my third year and I feel great about my achievments. Attending a college and doing something you've always wanted to is such a valuable experience as well as a gift anyone can give theirself and to encourage others to do so as well. College is the best way to start off a career even when your undecided. In my case I knew from the start what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing and that is studying Criminal Justice/ Law Enforcment, and the sooner I get it done the faster I earn my degree.

My frist year of college at USM gave my the drive to do well in school and to take pride in my acedemic success. I learned that taking care of myself is helpful on all front and everything I do as a student has an impact. I was able to truly find myself and what is was that I wanted to do with my life in my first year of college and this led my to MassArt. Here at Massart I've discovered the importance of making connections with my peers, and the importance hard work. I know now that it's always best to put in 100 percect no matter what the assignment or projects is. I'm learning that confidence is what will cary me through my career at Massart and afterwards. Most of all Massart is teachign me that hard work is importance but fun experiences are equally important and the best thing to do is ebrace every day with open arms.

Although during the college application process I applied to numerous art schools, it was simply for my own personal satisfaction, to see if I would be accepted. Despite my passion for art, I never actually considered these schools for fear of graduating without a job and ultimately wasting my time and money. I decided to attend a five-year private university and major in something practical, a choice that would guarantee success and a well paying job. I remained undeclared throughout the first semester, fulfilling requirements and taking core classes while struggling to figure out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It was only after two full semesters of contemplating majors and academic advising until I finally realized that what I truly wanted to do was attend art school. While many individuals would view this year as a waste, it was a valuable and necessary experience that granted me insight into myself, the essential first step towards my transfer and eventual mental harmony. It took me one year and $40,000 to figure it out, but I am now a student at Massachusetts College of Art and Design and could not be happier.

Knowledge cannot be measured by a GPA. It cannot be scanned as a resume, nor plugged into an Excel document. No one but the pupil is aware of what knowledge that he or she holds. One can judge her or him by what school he or she went to, or by what talents were amassed from the tertiary experience., but no one is ever what they seem. By making my decision of transferring to Massachusetts College of Art and Design, I have been automatically labeled; people assume that I cannot possibly be intelligent in any capacity because I have chosen illustration as my field. A man walked up to me this year and told me that art school was a waste of a talented mind. The most bigoted sentence ever said aloud to me only fueled my passion to prove the world wrong. MassArt rounds me more than one can imagine from"just an art school." I am learning worlds more than I was previously at a liberal arts institution. I have a value. I am learning to have the confidence I need to make my way in the world. I will carve that way with both intellect and art.

College has been an interesting experience so far, meeting new people and learning a multitude of new things. But beyond anything else is gaining an understanding about myself, and for the things that I love to do. I have been given the chance to be around other people who are driven and want to make something out of their lives. They want to help people, they want to educate them to the vast expanse of the universe and all the things that we know about it, and many of the things that we do not. It has allowed me to grow as a person, to gain the chance to excel in a field that is near and dear to my heart. It has given me the chance to be who I want to be, and learn about everything else along the way. College is important to me, because knowledge is important to me. There's a million things that I want to learn about, and be around people who are the same, and college is the perfect environment for it.

In my four years at Massart I have experienced so many different fields of art that I never new existed. I have gotten to know all different types of people. I never thought a professor could influence my life as much as some of the professors at Massart. they have encouraged me to become my own, unique artist.

Well even though I didn't get my experience from a big four year University, i still had a great college experience. I'm actually glad I decided to go to a junior college and then transfer to a University, because the classes were alot smaller and I received one on one time with all of my teachers. They all knew me by my name, and not just a number. I went to a college with just over 100 students so everybody knew everybody, and we were all one big family. They made my transition from home to college very easy. I felt very safe because we had camera's in the dorm and on-campus sercurity at night. I also loved the fact that it was a Christian college, because I was raised up in the church which is very important to me. Even though we had our ups, and downs at times I loved that school and I'm going to miss it dearly. I'm glad I attended Clinton Junior College, and I will never forget it!

Ever since I was a liitle girl I have doodled, drawn, and dreamed. I would much rather create art to express my thoughts or how I am feeling than to define who I am by test scores or writing a paper. Unfortunately most school systems concentrate on developing the academic side to a person while the arts are short changed. If and when you did have a class/elective, no sooner had you started something it was time to stop and put things away. It wasn't until my junior year in high school that a particular teacher gave me permission to see myself as a real artist and encouraged me to pursue it as a career path and look to attending an art school. He knew that art was where I flourished and would be happy. Out of eight schools and all accepted, MassArt by far had the best facilities. Being in Boston is a plus. I have not been dissapointed- the sky is the limit! Studio classes can run 5 hours -yeah! Individual expression is celebrated yet there is also great collaboration. I'm leaning toward Community Art Education and perhaps Art Therapy.

Throughout my college career there have been many ups and downs. A lot of times it is easier to look at the downs and get upset about them. In the end I have come to the conclusion that life is pretty wonderful. It seems like the past 2 years have been the hardest in my life so far, with family members and friends getting sick and coming to the realization that I don?t know everything hit my pretty hard last year. Throughout everything I have a great deal of hope in my life that I found through family and friends. I would not tell myself to change anything about myself because I have no regrets and must learn from everything.

I have gotten intense study skills, and intensive trainging in my major. I also have become more independent, i learned what i dont like from the school, which teaches me that there are better fit schools out there. I'm like a caged bird, i can see freedom outside my cage, but i'm waiting until the door is open before i escape to my dreams. One of my dreams is to live somewhere else in the United States or in the world, by studying abroad. Anywhere exciting with an exciting atmosphere with a diverse culture. As a middle class student its hard, because im not so rich where i can buy all my supplies and for school, however im not so poor that the goverment pays for school. Yet i still get expected to pay full price, even though my schedule might not be guaranteed. I yearn to be somewhere more than Boston, but dont have the money to go study abroad. Ive lived here all my life, and ive seen other places that would be much more constructive to my growth as a mature person. I dont want to live with my parents forever! To be free.

After high school I wanted to do something different that didn't involve a classroom, I decided to travel the country. I started by car, then hitch-hiked. I traveled alone and with other people. Originally, I was only going to travel/backpack for a year, this year turned into three which made going back to school much harder, both emotionally and finacially. However, on a positive side, I take school that much more seriously, which is needed in the highly competitive field of Visual Art. If I could go back and talk to my eighteen year-old self, I would say, "If you must wander about, be careful not to lose yourself." I think my problem was that I was arrogant in assuming that I knew who I was so much that nothing could touch me, and I was wrong, and it took me awile to get back into school, and essencially, life. I would tell any high school senior to take a minute to think about what they want to do before they start. I have many peers that have changed schools, majors, life paths, because they felt too pressured to make a quick decision about their future.

Take the time to really think about what you want to do. Thoroughly research the school you want to go to before you make your decision. Make sure your chosen school has everything you need to suceed. Don't settle for less. Pick a school that's just as great as you are.

I would advise myself to not party in college. Although it is tempting I have gotten in trouble with my dorm for drinking. I am now on probation for the whole year, and if I get caught again I will be kicked out of housing. Now that I know the consequences, if I could go back in time I would advise myself not to party. Also I would advise myself not to flirt with boys for fun, not even a little, because I have a long-term boyfriend that I have been with for almost two years now. Because of my flirtatious nature, I have done things that I greatly regret. Now that I know how I can?t stop myself once I start, I would go back in time and advice myself to not even put myself in the situation of flirting so that I don?t cause dissention with my boyfriend and me. Finally, I would advise myself to join clubs and do extracurricular activities. I would advise myself to do this because it is good to have activities to write down for scholarships. Since I have not done any extracurricular activities this year, I regret it.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself not to worry. A month before classes started I was worried about things I should not have been. I have moved a lot so I had experience with transitioning but this time it was a lot easier because everyone around me was transitioning too. I also would tell myself not to worry about grades before classes start. I realized that doing your best earns you the A that you want most of the time.

Calm down and relax, you are doing everything you can at this point. Mass Art is perfect you will love it. The independence is just what you have been yearning for, but do not forget you are paying for school. Mom wont be able to help out that much. Which is why you must apply for FAFSA as soon as possible. Tell Mom the deadline is March not May, and you can insert guesses in the spots until you get the solid information. Another thing, apply for scholarships, most people get intimidated like you and people get lazy, but you must not pass up the opportunity to get help with paying for school. You should get a job working weekends in school because money gets tight in college. But as long as you take care of finances, you should be good. Your relationship will probably end with you girlfriend, this is tough but it turns out a lot of people break up entering college if their significant other is not as motivated. Try to stay positive and look for ways to let out aggression in positive ways. Remember staying busy is your best decision. Well, see you in a year.

As a high school senior, I was not the student who always knew where I wanted to go to college, or the student who took all the AP classes, or the jock with the scholarship waiting for me. I worked hard, had a decent GPA and felt frustrated and lost when it came to college. I started at a community college and transferred to the Massachusetts College of art. Assessing my college progress, I can say that each year of college I changed immensely. I?ve been in school quite a long time. At first I matured into a young adult who had to learn to take care of herself, pay apartment bills, nurse myself when I was sick, prioritize my schedule and get things done. I matured into thinking about my future, thinking about how to achieve my dreams and challenging myself to expand my horizons. If I was to talk to myself as a senior I would remind myself that everyone has their own path and it may not be the traditional 4 year way. College is a time where you will be tested and you will persevere and come out a human being with real human experience.

Dear high school me,When you get to orientation don?t forget that everyone is going through the same thing. Be outgoing and meet as many new artistic friends as possible, these are the people you?ll be friends with for the rest of your life. Join study groups and clubs it?s a good way to meet new people with similar interests and it?s also a great way to make sure you have time and help with your homework. You will need to work hard and never give up. Don?t get to stress or upset because your going to be a professional illustrator and Mass. College of Art is the place you have always dreamed of. Here you are accepted for who you are and you learn so many things. Do this so you can have good grades and always save money because in high school you may think you need those new red heels or the upgraded phone. Work hard to get a good education and then a career doing what you love. Your future self, Christin Farmosa

When I was a senior in high school I was very concerned about graduating from college with a degree that would give me a job right away. With that in mind I applied to seven nursing school, all of which I was accepted to. I thought of nursing as a stable job that I would allow me to support myself when I graduate from college. Through the whole application process I was second guessing myself. I have one passion in life that I have never let go of, this is my art. Im glad I second guessed myself because I would have never applied to Mass Art and there for never gone. Knowing what I know now I would tell myself to follow my passion. The transition to college and the worry of what you will become is difficult for everyone. But now that I am emersed in my field of Design I realized that stability is available in places you never knew they were. I would tell myself that going to art school will be a diffferent kind of path but it will lead to true happiness and stablity in both physical and mental capabilities for me.

John, remember to smile ^______^ It's going to be a rough transition mostly because of our financial situation, but don't be too stressed about it. You need to let down your guard a little, and enjoy your FIRST YEAR as a COLLEGE STUDENT. Continue to be persistent, but remember to think positive. No one's going to hurt you, trust me, I'm you, well, the future you, and I've met them all, and they're really harmless. Forget the painful past. This is it. Yes, You're going to be away from home and mom, but you need this. Be confident, be friendly, and smile, John, it'll do me some good. Don't drown yourself in work . I know what your excuse will be. Yes, we are paying for an education, and yes, we do need to work 20 hours a week to be eligible for food stamps; however, don't view everything else as an obstacle. Your classmates are competition in the end, but they are kind people. Don't be so cynical. Sophie loves you, so don't ignore her. Make time for her, because you need all the love you can get.

All the hard work you complete in high school will prepare you for the work load you are given in college. The harder you work now, the easier the transition will be. When deciding on a college and a major, you DON'T have to stick with what you know now. Instad, you really ought to find out what you would like to do as a career, even if it is rather new to you. Do you want financial comfort to come from performing your passion or do you want financial stability to come from somewhere else so your passion can be performed? If you need, take a (productive) year off to resolve to this question, as well as your own questions and thoughts. Use clear, honest judgement and don't panic; college isn't going anywhere. Be brave. Think intelligently. And always remember to care for your mind, body, and soul because home can seem very far away at times. Honor your friends at college, be open to new ideas and welcome to another big adventure!

Never be afraid to take risks, do a bad piece of artwork ,or engage in new relationships. Every experience that you have, both positive and negative, eventually shape who you are and where you will be going. And never forget your sense of humor.

If I could convince my high school self to really listen and that it was really me that standing there, well that would be a start because I was stubborn back then and I thought I knew it all and you couldn't get me to listen to anyone. My advice for my high school self would go like this: "Stay the course and go to college as soon as you graduate high school and finish the degree no matter what because it gets more and more difficult in time. Just look at me now I'm still trying to finish College twenty years later. Latch on to one adult that you trust because they have valuable experience to offer even if they don't understand you completely. If you can't find anyone to trust then trust me now as I appear before you! If you really believe I'm you and you know this in your heart then believe me when I say the only time to take action in your life is now! It's always right now! Believe in your art and your ability! College is the right choice and we'll both agree later on!

Assuming i could go back in time and talk to myself as high school senior knowing what I know now about the college life, I'll advice myself to decide and do more research on what my major is going to be when I get into Massart. Because right now I'm in Animation, and next year I'll add Industrial Design which means I'll be in school for five years instead of four. Now I love my school and definately don't mind staying but the problem is the money to stay which I don't have. Another advice I'll give myself is to be more proactive. Right when I get into the college, I would make as much friends as i can with the seniors, let them know my major and seek their advice on how to go about it. The years are going by very fast. In a blink of an eye, I'm already finished with my second year. So if I could've done that it would've helped me a lot and I wouldn't be in a rush now.

Take time off before you go to college, travel for a year or two, work some seasonal jobs as you go, don't go to college until your serious about working. Look for and apply to a lot of scholarships/grants no matter how small the award is or how competitive they are, every little bit helps and working full-time while you're in school is a huge drag, not too mention will wear you down really quickly. Try everything, the chances of having such freedom again to pursue whatever you want is going to get smaller the older and more settled you get. Have conversations with professors, facilities people, old people in the park. People are amazing and everyone has stories to tell, whether you laugh, cry, feel wiser, dumber, happier or sadder after the fact, you get way more from interacting with people than never talking to them.

I would tell my past high school self to stop worrying about how people might act at art school; everyone is a lot nicer and more down to earth than you assumed they would be. I would tell my past self to keep working just as hard but to get off your high horse and relax a little bit, it's ok. Be accepting of alternative lifestyles and don't be focused on boys and relationships past self, you've got time to worry about that later. You don't have to worry about making friends, because you will be surrounded by great people your first year, and leaving home isn't as tough as you thought, but visiting is always nice. Sometimes it can be frustrating living with so many people but you will get through it. And past self, don't take critiques too seriously, we only have them to better our art work, they're nothing personal. Have fun! (I know you will).

It is difficult to know, beforehand, which school you will feel most comfortable at. Visit the school, more than once. You will get a "feeling" from the school, it will help your decision making process. Knowing what you want from the community around you. Motivation is key. Whichever college you choose, only you decide whether to learn or not. Be thirsty for knowledge. Don't waste your first few years thirsty for something else. Its a waste of time, and money. As much as you will learn inclass, its not enough. Use the internet, explore interests, go outside, look around. Dont take a class because it sounds "easy." It will bore you; you''ll fail. Choose classes that will help with your career, that will stimulate you. Only measure your success by your own progress. Everyone works at a different pace. Disregard the "stereotypes" associated with the school. People are variables, everyone is different, everywhere. You will meet good nad bad people; whether its at the supermarket or in your dorms. Don't be scared you won't fit in, someone else feels that way too. meet people and show them who you are. Remember: everything happens for a reason.

I would tell myself not to worry work so much through school and to really enjoy the experience. Although I was putting myself through school on my own, and I did extremely well in my studies, I did not take the time to really enjoy being an undergraduate college student. College is a time in a young person's life where they are exposed to so many new ideas, places, and people; so much diversity. This is a time when a college student should really soak all of this in and experience as much as they can!

I would tell myself to work harder in that Sociology class that I took at BCC senior year because that would've eliminated one of my requirements at MassArt. I would've told myself to enjoy senior year because it was great! I would've told myself that I didn't have to worry about my anxiety because I never really got nervous my freshman year of college. I also would've told myself that I shouldn't expect to get any sleep, especially when I entered my major sophomore year. And most importantly I would've told myself that I shouldn't have doubted whether or not I had the skills to be in art school because I'm doing a really good job.

Focus all your energy on your art making. It's easy to feel a bit down and out because the future is always foggy, but stick with it! Take every assignment that the teachers give you and turn it into something that is personal to you, because if you are not in the work you are making then work is all it is. Keep an open mind and enjoy everything you do. You are such a privilaged individual, don't let it go to waste. Finally, do everything in your power to make the lives of the people around you as enjoyable as possible, because life's so short, you don't want any regrets when it's up.

Don't pidgeon hole yourself into fashion design, because you aren't going to major in it. You rock.

Don't lose sight of why you decided to go to college, don't get lazy and push forward despite problems. Don't make up excuses that will hold back your desire to learn.

If I could come back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to find the time to explore myself and try to find out what it is that I want. I would say not to be afraid to aim high. I would tell myself to be free thinking and believe that anything is possible if you really want it. I would add that it?s OK to make mistakes but it?s not good to repeat them -learn from them. Go to college with very open mind, without judgement on people or yourself. I would say to let go of what it was always holding me back and let myself be true to who I really am. Never be afraid to ask for help, and be helpful to others .Missing home is hard so make sure to make friends. Believe, dream and work hard and you are going to be OK.

If I could go back in time and talk to my High School self I would probably not believe how much I've changed and how completely different my life is since starting college. I would tell myself not to do anything differently because I wouldn't change a second of it. I'd make sure to tell myself to just hold on and get through the application process and not to worry, to remember that it would all be ok. I'd tell myself to put aside my nerves and fears, be as friendly and outgoing as possible and to give all types of people a chance. Going to an art school you meet alot of unique people and I'd tell myself that it'll finally be ok to stand out and be a little weird. I'd remind myself to stay open to new experiences and opportunities. I'd make sure I definitely lived on campus and tell myself that even though work is important, you still have to make time for fun and for yourself.

Make the most of what college has to offer. It will aid you in developing real -world concrete skills and will allow you to investigate all facets of your abilities. Dont let cost prevent you from choosing the right school either. The right school will cater to your interests and challenge you at the same time.