Transitioning from high school to university feels nerve-wracking but exciting at the same time; it pushes you into a new phase of growth and self-discovery. For architecture students, the way we learn and study in our course is definitely a huge shift from what we are used to. Unlike other courses, we learn through practicing and learning theory. It is a unique environment for design and storytelling. There is no “right” answer to your learning. Architecture is a blend of research and a chance to bring your ideas to life.
I find that studio cultures are very different from what we are used to in high school, because in high school, we follow a linear structure of learning, going in expecting to learn and absorb information taught by our teachers. In studio culture, learning comes from our peers and ourselves. From our briefs, we are given the opportunity to choose what we want to learn and explore, which feels very liberating and meaningful as we produce our work.
We are in a constant cycle of process, experimentation, and reflection, where there are no right and wrong answers but only a progression in developing your idea. It promotes self-growth and strong decision-making skills as you try, fail, and retry.
A Day in the Life of an Architecture Student
In my typical studio day, here is what it often looks like:
10:00AM - Studio
You come into the studio, and your tutors tell you what their expectations are for today and discuss the brief. You start working on your studio project. You can either start sketching concepts, building models, or most of the time, just talking with your studio mates about their progress and exchanging ideas. What makes it enjoyable is these moments of collaboration, learning from each other, but also there is a common sense of relief that we are all in this together.
12:00PM - Lunch
During lunch time, grab some lunch, socialise, and spend time talking to friends.
1:00PM - Tutorials
Tutorials are usually a one-on-one review with your studio tutors. It is a casual chat on your current work in progress and feedback on progression and design development. Tutorials are the core of studio days. Getting feedback from experienced lecturers and real-life architects provides you with realistic insight into your project and turns your ideas into something more tangible. It also opens new perspectives on design thinking.
5:00PM - End of Studio Day
After a long session at the studio, it is time to go home, get dinner, and get some rest! On an average week after the studio, it’s time to hang out with friends, be active, play sports, or hit the gym. During weeks near submissions, some nights you will continue refining your studio work for submission.
As an architecture student, you might feel like it’s a struggle sometimes, but despite the steep learning curve, it teaches you resilience, creativity but to think, communicate, and solve problems creatively. There will be moments of satisfaction and pride in what you create; it is one of the most rewarding journeys you can take