10 More ways to survive art college

by Meenal Kumar

Art college is a sound option if you're artistic and want to take it further. Like geek qualification options, it's also a sound option if you're tired of harrassment for being 'different' at school. From seducing your coffee maker to wearing the wrong clothes, here are 10 more tips for surviving art college...

1. Embrace the people around you.

Never in your life will you meet a larger collection of people with similar tastes, interests and perspectives to your fine self. Not only that, but these people will bring certain other tastes, interests and perspectives with them. So keep an open mind, a smile on your face and let the learning begin.

2. Accept that 1+1 will never equal 2.

When it comes to an arts qualification, 1+1 will equal 'cloud' more frequently than it equals 'two'. No matter what you're studying, postmodernism will always work its way into your degree. This concept will send you on the type of mental trip folks in the 60's needed blotter acid to achieve. Refer to postmodernist theory a few times in each essay and you're on your way to the top of the class.

3. Join groups like you're on Facebook.

Whether it's the Hitler Cats Fan Club or your regular Film Society, university groups will help you meet people with common interests across different degrees. If that isn't motivation enough, membership to some of these groups can grant you huge discounts on everything from concert tickets to holiday accommodation. You can never have enough friends (see Myspace or FaceBook) and who would turn down a discount?

4. Get to know your coffee maker.

Whether that means giving a name to the contraption in your kitchen or learning the name of the person behind the counter, accept that you'll be seeing a lot of them over the course of your degree. Also, it's cool to be able to walk into your local cafe and say 'the usual' and getting a knowing smile - and a coffee - from the person serving you.

5. Acquire a taste for wine.

Now, you could appreciate wine solely as a symbolic beverage for the tortured soul. The more astute arts student quickly learns that - with the prevalence of free wine at every arts-related function - you'd be dense not to work it into your palate.

6. Acknowledge the uncertainty of future employment.

Always remember that you chose an Arts Degree because it's what you're passionate about. Somewhere down the line you'll meet a Science major who'll utter the god-awful phrase "so what will you really do?" It's a legitimate question but you're still well within your rights to assault them (with your razor-sharp wit). Flash them a smile and let them know that at the very worst you could end up in working a 'sensible job'.

7. Always keep the name of an obscure Indie band at hand.

This will make people listen to what you have to say. The more obscure the better; go deeper underground than a mole with a digging fetish. In every group there's that person that needs to 'one-up' everyone else. The arts world is not immune. Don't give them the satisfaction. Make one up if you have to.

8. Find an Indie cinema. Move in.

Obtain the respect and admiration of teachers and peers alike by starting a sentence with "that's similar to [insert independent filmmaker]'s intentions whilst he/she was directing [insert the name of an independent film]". If that doesn't have you basking in the warm glow of your peers' reverence at least you've seen a film that's definitely better than anything in the regular cinemas.

9. Develop a healthy cynicism towards the mainstream.

Learn to be critical of everything you hear and read. This isn't just restricted to mainstream publications. A lot of 'alternative' texts can also be full of junk. Discerning how much influence the writer/publisher has on the piece you're reading keeps you apart from the sheep. Detecting 'spin' is easier with mainstream publications, so start there and work your way through.

10. Let your freak flag fly.

If you haven't realised by now, the Arts Degree is where it's at. No matter how outrageous your tastes are, no matter what you pull out of your closet, someone will find it absolutely divine. Forget the judgements of high school - if you want a niche, an arts degree will guarantee you one.

And there's more...

• How to survive art college (part one)
• How to survive your twenties
• How to college in general

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