IDIAMM

Top tips for students in their 2nd or 3rd year at university:

1. Finding someone to chase is a great motivation tool to better yourself at university as well as in your first design company. However, remember it is different to mentors and mentoring. It’s about looking at yourself, what you are doing in comparison to the others and where you can step up to better yourself. Ask yourself the following questions and look for the benefits:
Who is in the studio first thing every morning and hitting the ground running?
Who is the last to leave every day & why?
Who is thinking outside the box & how?
Finding your motivation is often sitting just a few desks or drawing boards away. Be inspired by others because inspiration is infectious and before you know it, you will be someone else motivation and then it is everyone growing and developing at speed.

University life and the real world of design are the same in the sense it’s important to get the right level of balance between work, rest & play. It really depends on the individual, what do you want the most and what are you prepared to sacrifice. Working 14 hour days and being permanently exhausted is just as counterproductive as coming in at 9am, socialising, drinking coffee then starting work at 11am and switching off at 4pm. Spend your time wisely.

2. You are a product of your own environment. We all have the power to control our environment both physically, mentally and emotionally therefore it is important that we create the best possible surroundings to live a healthy balanced lifestyle. This is what enables us to achieve our goals, be it at university or in the real world of design.
It is easy to see what is happening when on the outside looking in rather than when we are on the inside looking out. Therefore, it is important to stop and gather your perspective properly on everything happening around you regularly.
The 5 closest people around you have a level of influence over you so always ask yourself honestly if you heading in the right direction from an aspirational approach with someone to guide you?
It’s a misconception to assume you are the smartest person in the room at everything all of the time. There will always be someone more creative, be it better at a software program or a stronger problem solver. That’s why being honest about your abilities is best and then finding someone to learn from to help your skill sets & career improve. Always surround yourself with people who are ahead of you in some capacity or skillset so you have someone to learn from and a general good influence on you.
Build a network of colleagues with the right skill sets to help you grow as fast as you can. Always be looking to improve your abilities and get ahead of the curve.