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I'm going to sound old again... but here goes.

I went to college right after high school. First thing they tried to get me to do in Orientation was to pick a major. You know what, I wanted to study art... But everyone else always told me I should be an artist. Truth be told, the idea of being an "artist" scared the crap out of me. The saying "starving artist" was stuck in my head. Art was my fun, my hobby, my love. I thought if I decided to be an artist (art major) then I would work hard, be poor, and turn the one few things I loved into a job I hated. So instead, I started college Undeclared and decided to find a love I could make money in and save "art" for myself. At first it was fine... Most of my friends were younger than me and were still in highschool. I went to college in the same town, so I got to hang out with them while taking classes.

But... as the years went on and through several different classes that bored me at best... I was feeling really lost. Here I was in college, studying things that didn't interest me. I was wasting a lot of money... My grades were "C" average and with all the searching I STILL didn't find anything that could top art for my attention. Plus, my friends were slowly going away to college and the ones who didn't go became slightly distant. They understood me less and less. I had work, I had homework, and I couldn't play as much. I wasn't making any real friends at school either because I was dancing between depatments. No same person was ever in my class twice.

I wanted something more. I liked school. I thought it was worth it yet the whole experience felt empty.

And, obviously I was still drawing at home, whenever I had the chance....

It didn't really hit me (three years into college and still no major), until I was skipping class to take a nap. Strangley enough the school had a small gallery in the same room as the student sleeping-couches and seats (only seperated by a screen of sorts) An art student came in and was flipping through his "final portfolo" for his major. I couldn't help but peek a bit. Of course he noticed and like most art majors, he was happy to show it to me. He was an "illustration consentrate" major. And I was "wowed" by all his work (much of it was children's illustration). I proceeded to ask him some questions about the courses, because at my school, you can't take ANY art class without declaring it your official major. (I had tried and the department sent me away. Sounds bad but it keeps the stupid people out of the classes). I finally asked him how he liked it.

"It's hard work, but you know it beats taking tests and writing essays. And I've improved sooo much!"

He was very genuine with his answer... I thought about it. I even tried my hand at drawing a book inspired by his ideas. Then, I thought about it... I mean REALLY thought about it.

I realized that no matter what I do for the rest of my life, I'm going to have to work hard and be poor at first. And if its something that only mildly interests me, then everything I work for will be average at best. But if it was something I love... There will be days where drawing would feel like a job. But then there will be days that I know what I was doing is awsome work because I actually loved it!

So I decided to become an art major. Not only did my work improve ten fold, I made a few really great friends. And if the projects were "blah" then I could call my classmates over and have a "drawing session" to get through it. That was something my "non-college" friends couldn't do for me. And to top it off, I learned about how art is really important in today's society (consider the internet for instance) and we (artists) are in demand! Artists DO make money. But only if they work hard of course and take it "somewhat" serioulsy. blaugh

Now as to waiting a year... That's a good idea! I wish I had. Because then I could've decided on what I really wanted to do and truely be prepared. I'm still in college. Not that I don't take it seriously now, but life tends to get in the way the older you get... (Sadly, and I'm only 26...) I love everything I learned, my only regret is starting sooo late. Taking a year to truly decide on it is a good thing! (Just don't forget your goals... It's easy...). It's important to know what you REALLY want or you'll get nowhere... I floundered for three years afraid...

I wish you luck! It's hard to decide... Your experience will be very different than mine and I hope this helps a little... sweatdrop

yeah its helped me. and the more i think ro the art side, i relise that the bikes will just be a dream.. or a pass time, if that it, i have any spare time, which i doubt. btw, just for thr records, i kindda felt touched as you said "we as artists" lol. i suppose the internet could help me alot here, as i knwo a great deal bout it, but not things liek photoshop lol. im just learning bout it lol.

that was alot to read. I can sympathize with you Dragon, im in my last few month's of high school too, but the college thing had me going crazy. I know what I want to do, but having to look at all those colleges and looking at all the price tags...yuck. but I'm gonna try to go major in animation at collins college. 2 and a half years to graduate there, year long classes. but try not to worry so much, and you'll get through it.

*spam*


That felt good. xd

*hugs Mercy* I'm glad I didn't tell long stories for nothing. sweatdrop

Anyways, I couldn't afford going to a REAL art college. So I went to a local, but large school... University of North Carolina Charlotte. They have a moderately large art deparment, only a Bachelor Gegree available (4 year Degree) but no Masters is offered. It's a good school for North Carolina, and cheap as for colleges go. My tuition, (as a resident) is $1,600... But with books, parking stickers, and art supplies, ususally it ends up closer to $2,100. That sounds like a lot, but not really. There are a surprising large amount of people from other countries and from the Northern U.S. It's because UNCC has a great exchange program and the out-of-state tuiton is cheaper than most instate colleges up north (Not sure of the exact price but I know it;s less than $10,000 per semester.)

UNCC is the absolute average when it comes to education, I would say... It's not know for anything, good or bad. OK... Clay Aiken... is something... bad to me... Not himeself actually, just all the students chasing him around... xp

Oh, and I applied in the beginning of my senior year. That's late, but I wasn't trying to get into a Prestigious college either...

Yes... once.. with a bunch of people surrounding him. He's graduated now. The first time the school has ever had to sell tickets for the ceremony xd (He sang of course) He's not a music major surprisingly, otherwise I would've seen him more often in school. Music and Art is in the same tiny building.

upcoming superman movie:

superman = brandon routh
lex luthor = kevin spacey
lois lane = kate bosworth
jimmy olsen = iceman
jor-el = shocktv3

yea hes ok..