# data[].attributes.headline
I'm worried that I won't be able to figure out what my practice is

# data[].attributes.subject
I'm worried that I won't be able to figure out what my practice is

# data[].attributes.body
I’m worried my work won’t be effective at delivering its message + I’m worried about grades

# data[].attributes.body
That the pieces I make won’t be received well because it’s similar to the stuff I’m doing now

# data[].attributes.body
I'm worried about how the staff will handle anxious students as the workload and pressure increases. I'm also worried about how they will engage with students and their individual practices, and bring out the best in them rather than imposing their own ideas.

# data[].attributes.body
It feels like the lectures are biased against traditional drawing and painting, even though this course is supposed to be about our practice. I understand they want us to try new things, but I've done that a lot this year, and it still feels like if I don't do what they want, my grade will suffer (I feel like it already has)

# data[].attributes.body
I'm worried about grades. I have no idea what the lecturers want from me, I don't understand how to do better. I asked how I could do better, and I got a terrible response :(

# data[].attributes.body
I'm worried because I'm completely at a loss as to what to do and how to do better and I'm not sure if there will be any exams or similar things later，How many credits do I need to accumulate in order to smoothly proceed to the next year?

# data[].attributes.body
im scared ill run out of ideas or energy and i worry that the more time i spend thinking about what i want to do the less time i have to do it. i dont want to be left behind

# data[].attributes.headline
Im concerned that part B will bind me to 1 practice and medium that i wont be able to escape, especially since theyre such chunky blocks, what if i get deep into something thats going wrong 

# data[].attributes.subject
Im concerned that part B will bind me to 1 practice and medium that i wont be able to escape, especially since theyre such chunky blocks, what if i get deep into something thats going wrong 

# data[].attributes.body
When you have an idea- do it

When a tutor says to do something- do it

Don't get caught up on your message- just make

Don't let the medium restrict you- just play

See lots and lots of contempory art

Have fun and don't worry about what you need to 'make' too much

Be nice to the tutors :)

# data[].attributes.body
Don’t be scared to fail.

Failure is what makes things get better. Play, experiment have fun, even if you believe you are a traditional drawer or painter, find some way through having fun to make that practice your own and individual.

Go see as many exhibitions as you can wether they be local or elsewhere, walk round the studios for inspiration too if you feel like you are in a bit of a bind. Be nice to the tutors and converse with them constantly as the more familiar you get with them, the more you will realise that they aren’t trying to change your work they are just trying to take you to the next level (plus they are quite funny people) and they do have some amazing ideas the majority of the time.

If you are scared you will be stuck to just one medium then make it your goal for that not to happen, play around with mixing mediums and techniques, you never know what will happen and thats okay

# data[].attributes.headline
Explore every avenue, even if it scares you.

# data[].attributes.subject
Explore every avenue, even if it scares you.

# data[].attributes.body
Fine art is meant to challenge, both yourself as an artist as well as world issues and further contexts. Your practice will change and most probably for the better, so don’t be afraid to let go.

# data[].attributes.body
COME IN !! It’s super important to come in and engage with the community around you. Be active, come to private views and talks. it’s important to make connections to the people around you. Our in studio community is completely unique and will help with loneliness and anxiety, we’re in the same boat and all love art. Coming in more frequently and taking part in events will by proxy make you close with the people around you. We only have studio for these years of uni, after this we have to pay. Don’t take it for granted and use it well.

# data[].attributes.body
actually come into the studio. Not only is it a blessing that we are able to to do so but the more you come in- the more work you do- the more feedback you get- the more you learn and make friends. You can get bad grades if you are always making art.

Listen to the tutors with a pinch of salt. Yes they know what they are talking about and most likely their suggestions will help butttttt if it’s not what you want to do- don’t do it. It’s your work at the end of the day so do what makes you HAPPY. take what is helpful and leave what isn’t.

Start all the work early. Especially third years!!! Graft early on and your life will be way less stressful towards the end. Stay organised and get shiz done.

Always bring a snack.

Make friends with everyone- even years above and below. The more opinions- the better!!!

Go to group tutorials- they slay and can help you articulate your work and others.

Ask for help when you need it. They always make things easier.

If you have an idea- don’t wait to do it. Do it, look at it, do it again. I promise experiments actually produce development and better work.

Stay positive- sometimes it sucks but keep going xx going to slay the day away

# data[].attributes.body
they only value modern art and anything slightly traditional is overlooked in lectures

# data[].attributes.body
This is my advice for anyone who might also be a mess of a person like myself:

Have a meltdown or an existential crisis (or both) - sometimes you gotta break things down before you can build them back up again, don’t get stuck in your head like I did

Step away and take a break for an hour or a day - sometimes coming back with a clear head and fresh eyes makes a world of difference, that and sometimes ideas will come when you’re not inside the studio

Do things!! - debate with your mates, jump in on conversations you find interesting, go to shows or exhibitions even if just for half an hour, make stuff even if it doesn’t feel immediately relevant or useful, I sometimes sketch to destress, my practice is nothing to do with sketching but it helps keep creativity without stressing about the course, cuz you definitely will (and also not everything is meant to be a ‘practice’)

Don’t be afraid to change things - I changed something every single module, and I only figured things out during the final module in final year, best stuff I’ve ever made

Sometimes you gotta play the ‘academic’ game - I don’t fit the academic way of working, I found that working my way but fitting it to the academic style a couple weeks before submission was better than trying to fit myself to that expectation (still be doing research though, don’t be leaving that til last minute otherwise it’s pointless)

On that point though, research can be almost anything: music, artists, artworks/performances, movies, documentaries, books, quotes, historical events, external influences - don’t limit yourself

Sometimes your work will do something you didn’t expect, follow it, don’t force it into an existing idea

Remember we all make shit work. Sometimes really shit. Doesn’t mean you’re a shit artist. And even then, some people make a living out of being a ‘shit’ artist.

# data[].attributes.body
I'm worried about my career, I'm scared I'll graduate and have no prospects and the course will be for nothing