Amidst this pandemic fallout and looming bad news, one of the most effective ways that many individuals used to cope with the new normal is finding comfort in a hobby they love. And, among the many skills treasured by the gig economy, the beauty of the arts stands at the top, radiating like a beautiful ray of light kissing those who’ve longed for freedom and creative expression.
While art has saved countless lives from boredom or burnout, we’ve seen a massive surge of stressed-out students entering the scene and looking to art as means to escape all the everyday worries. However, now they face a tragic crossroads, sacrificing time for the other as deadlines conflict with personal goals. So, today we’ll be learning how you can find the middle ground, a place of harmony between the two extremes.
Passion and Career
No one student goes through the same experience, and that uniqueness increases twofold when they choose art as their passion. Art has a habit of taking you into a rabbit hole of wonder and beauty, and the second you latch on, letting go never becomes an option. However, those who don’t plan on making it a career tend to struggle with time management. Therefore, balance is necessary if you want to move forward.
#1 Divvy Up Your Week Schedule
Firstly, you want to be strict and responsible with your time, and to do that properly; you’ll need to divvy up your weekly schedule that can cater to both your artistic and academic needs. Of course, we don’t want you to go overboard and restrict yourself from any me-time or social life, but just strict enough so you can work on what matters most.
- Fulfill Your Responsibilities First: Unless you’re working part-time as an artist or are coming close to a deadline for a commission, then your studies will most likely take priority. So, before you decide to do any art for the day, make sure that you fulfill your responsibilities first. Plus, a lot more creative juices start flowing when you’re unbothered by assignments and requirements.
- Avoid Crunch Hours: Whether you’re a freshman or taking your senior classes online, we can all agree that crunch time is just never a healthy option. So, unless you’ve got robot-like powers and can recharge quickly enough, please avoid busting out your crunching skills. You’re much better off with making consistent progress than lumping a week’s worth of work in one Redbull-induced study night.
- Recognize Opportunities: Yes, opportunities and moments of bliss happen now and then. So, whenever they come knocking at your front door, take the leap of faith and don’t be too stingy with your study hours. Of course, we don’t want you to develop a habit of putting things off, but giving yourself some time to bend the rules won’t hurt once or twice.
#2 Learn To Live and Let Go
Secondly, it’s time we let go of the perfectionist ideals and learn to live a little. Most of the pressure to perform well comes from inside us. We unconsciously place an unreachable standard that we only end up failing to achieve. As a result, it takes a toll on our mind and only leads to a spiral of mess. So, give yourself a break and take it easy.
- You Don’t Need To Get Perfect Marks: Look, life isn’t about getting perfect grades and impressing your parents 100% of the time. And, this especially rings true once you reach college, where your mindset switches from acing tests to at least passing them. So, don’t get too caught up in trying to get perfect marks, and you’ll find plenty of time to work on your passion for art.
- Avoid Stress: Unnecessary stress and pressure is never a good thing, and staying in that dangerous place will only work against you. So, try to avoid getting too stressed at all costs and instead look at the brighter things in life. Appreciate what you get, joke a little, and be grateful. And the same applies when you’re sketching and indulging in your love for the arts.
#3 Try Commissions
Lastly, if you’re worried about losing some of that motivation for art because of all the schoolwork you’ll need to get done before the weekend, then we recommend trying commissions. Sure, it may seem counterproductive fighting responsibility with more responsibility, but it gives you something to look forward to, and it’s honestly fulfilling when someone trusts in your skill.
Plus, once you find out that you have a knack for it, you can expand and earn more money on the side for anything you want. Just ensure to clarify your terms and make the deadlines flexible.
Embolden Your Love for Art
Art and academics may seem like two different things, but they don’t have to be with the right mindset. So, before you start sacrificing your passion in the name of building your career, we suggest giving these tips a shot, and you might find them more effective than you’d imagine.