Kyle  0:00 

This is the successful students podcast episode 24.

What is going on guys? Today I’m joined by a student who’s not an architecture student, but he’s actually a college student who’s keen on studying architecture. His name is Daniel. He’s from Melbourne, Australia, and I’m going to be having a chat with him about preparing for architecture school and getting ready for it. So if you’re a high school student or a student looking to do architecture, I think this video is going to be extremely beneficial and helpful for you. So without further ado, let’s get straight into it. This is the successful artisans podcast episode 24. Welcome to another show today I’m here with Daniel from Melbourne, Australia. How you doing, Daniel?

Danial  1:19 

Fine, thank you.

Kyle  1:20 

How are you doing? Oh, I’m very fine. Thank you. So yeah, it’s a real pleasure to have you on the show. I do appreciate you taking the time out to chat with us about architecture. And originally, you’re from Malaysia. Is that correct? Yeah. Let’s go. You’re now studying in Melbourne, I believe. Would you mind telling me a bit more about yourself and where you are? In regards to your education? I’m currently in college. Yeah.

Danial  1:47 

I just finished my last year in 2019. Okay,

Kyle  1:51 

yeah, you told me you’re planning to go into architecture next year. Yep. Can I ask what inspired you to pursue architecture

Danial  1:59 

well Actually, before this, I didn’t really have the interest in architecture. Like when I was really young, I had an interest in it to become a doctor. Oh, yeah. So yeah. And well, eventually when I was like, around the age of nine, and around 10, then that’s where I’ve made up my mind that I want to study architecture. So, yeah, it’s actually partly inspired by you know, Legos. Yeah. Yeah. Well, it that played a very big role in what inspired me to become an Yeah. And to study architecture.

Kyle  2:37 

Common, quite a common way of getting into architecture playing with Legos as a child and building little blocks and stuff like this. I think I did a lot of that when I was a child as well. So definitely something common.

Danial  2:49 

Yep, definitely something in common. Yeah, and I also I like, go on the internet. I look too many interesting like buildings and There’s one specific architect that actually really inspired me. Which is a BRK Ingles? Yeah, yeah. I love this like concept and methodology of planning buildings and how it’s like hybrid ism and all that. Yeah. It’s like it’s really out of the box. You know, it’s not just the design this specific reason behind the design and yeah, it’s really interesting.

Kyle  3:24 

I’ve got a feeling he’s gonna win the Pritzker Prize this year. So that’s kind of my that’s my that’s what I’m thinking for the future. Yep. He’s doing some crazy things.

Danial  3:36 

Yeah. All these projects are like, it’s like something out of the ordinary. Yep, it’s another projects. Yeah.

Kyle  3:45 

Um, so you’ve been consider out. Like, you’re you’re set on doing architecture that since you were nine or 10. That’s quite a long time, I guess. So. Have you ever lost motivation to study architecture or you’ve come across some challenges? along that journey of kind of being inspired to study architecture for that long.

Danial  4:05 

Well, as the years go by, it does get stronger. You know? Like, yeah, we just like this. Not really my challenges yet, but I’m going to expect some from university. So, yeah,

Kyle  4:19 

go, I guess because you started architecture next year. Is there anything you’re doing at the moment to prepare for that?

Danial  4:25 

Well, I do like, some mini prototypes, like using labels and like I do some sketches of building ideas that I have in my mind. Hopefully, I can realize them in university. Or maybe Julia, and I do some slight reading on that as well. Yep. And researching some projects and see how the thing goes. Yeah. And apparently channel had happens to be one of the methods I’m doing and like we said from the That’s awesome. Yep.

Kyle  4:59 

That’s really good. So you said you’re doing some reading and stuff. Do you have any favorite architecture related books? Or Or is there a blog you follow or something like that?

Danial  5:08 

Um, mostly, it’s on Instagram. Yeah. So I follow like, many of the starchitects, as well as some notable architects on Instagram, and I came up with their projects as well as skyscraper pages and all that. Yeah. Then I have a interest in more like skyscrapers. In terms of like building types. Yeah.

Kyle  5:31 

Yeah, I think I’m kind of on that side as well, of the big commercial buildings or big residential buildings. Anyway, it’s just a lot more fun. But I guess once you actually get into architecture school, you do a lot about stuff in architecture school, but then when you get out of architecture school, that’s when you’re kind of just doing toilet details and the small residential buildings and stuff. But as you work up, you definitely get to work more on that

Danial  5:54 

and it just progresses higher and higher. Yeah,

Kyle  5:56 

yeah, exactly. So come on. and preparing for architecture school. Is there anything that frightens you or scares you about it?

Danial  6:05 

Well, from what I’ve seen and written lots of architecture means it’s more to the project. Like, it’ll take you’ll you’ll need lots and lots of coffee. That’s what.

Kyle  6:18 

That’s what I’m doing right now. Yeah. Yeah, definitely lots of late nights and long days. So coffee is not a bad idea.

Danial  6:26 

I’m expecting a lot of those. Yeah. Oh, yeah.

Kyle  6:31 

So actually, I was going back to the idea of kind of the starchitects and, and big buildings and stuff. I was just looking through Instagram page, and I saw your YouTube channel. Not despite your thing, but I saw that. You’ve been filming some holidays here in New York and stuff and you were filming a lot of Yeah, a lot of all this nice architecture. I saw you and I kinda want to know it. I’ve never really traveled myself. And it seems like it really opened you up to the world of architecture. So it’s Something you suggest other students do to go out and actually experience the architecture for themselves?

Danial  7:05 

Yes, I really do suggest that instead of looking at different pictures, you can go and visit those buildings in real life. So actually New York, the city itself played a very big role in inspiring me inspire me to say I get back. Typically, because of the skyscrapers and all the greats and their streets and avenues and how the people interconnect. Yeah. It really inspired me.

Kyle  7:28 

Where else did you go?

Unknown Speaker  7:31 

You mean like before this?

Kyle  7:34 

I don’t know. I think I think I saw like, you went to Chicago and something else like that. And there was also a building in Chicago. I was trying to think of it. Yeah, I think it’s the artwork where it’s like a little blob thing and it’s all silver. Yeah,

Danial  7:51 

the “bean” they call it Yeah, yeah.

Kyle  7:55 

Yeah, love that.

Danial  7:58 

sculpture. Yeah.

Kyle  8:00 

I’m actually like, I’m really, I’m a strong believer, I guess in in the fact that you should always be doing something on the side to gain more knowledge like outside of university outside of high school or college. So like, going out and experiencing the architecture for yourself, it’s definitely going to be good for you because you’re learning something that no one else is learning on the side. Yep. And it kind of helps you gain those skills that other students won’t have, which will make you more valuable in the industry, I guess. So. I think that’s really good you doing that.

Danial  8:31 

Yep. Definitely.

Kyle  8:33 

Awesome. I’m gonna hit you up with a with a bit of a fire around here. Just a couple of quick questions, I guess. So who’s your favorite architect?

Danial  8:43 

As I’ve said before, it’s BRK Ingles at the moment. And the second I would say is Zaha Hadid. Yep. That’s like a whole different type of architecture. It’s all those fluid and illogical kind of shapes? Yeah. Yeah. And there’s also one that’s actually not an architect by the designer. His name is Thomas hitter with the design of the vessel in New York.

Kyle  9:09 

I haven’t seen I haven’t seen any of his work, but I’ll be sure to look that up.

Danial  9:13 

Yep. Um, he, um, he’s not then he’s calling he calls himself a designer. Okay. But yeah, he designs buildings. And it’s kind of like, a methodology, methodology and approach is similar to the archangels. So yeah. As well as other architects such as Norman Foster and all that.

Kyle  9:32 

Yeah, you really? You really do love all the big buildings and oldest architecture? I guess you can call it.

Danial  9:39 

Yeah, you can call me that.

Kyle  9:41 

Yeah, that’s awesome. So what would be your favorite building then? Would it be one of yarks work or would it be one of their hearts?

Danial  9:50 

I have like I don’t really have a particular building that I really love. But I guess like, the way the history or the like the stories that architects go to when they design and build a building. That’s what makes the building special. So that’s what I strongly believe, like, I do not really favor any buildings, but any skyscrapers that has those special technologies and stuff. Yeah, it really, really catches my eye. But it’s mostly skyscrapers. Yeah.

Kyle  10:20 

Yeah, that’s awesome. But you have a favorite architectural edit book. I know that you’re not like officially into your education yet. And you probably haven’t done a whole lot of reading. You’re only 17 years old, which I think it’s incredible that you’re already doing all this stuff on the side. But would you have a favorite architecture later book?

Danial  10:36 

And I am currently reading from space and order by Yeah, I’m currently reading that. So that’s like the buzz architecture book them really really well. So I would say it’s it’s actually quite helpful. Yeah.

Kyle  10:50 

I think that’s really good. Like, I really want to buy that book though. Cuz I don’t have it yet.

Danial  10:56 

The book if you want. Oh, yeah.

Kyle  11:03 

Is that a book you recommend to other students?

Danial  11:05 

And as an academic, as I’m not really an academic architecture student yet, but to get an insight in architecture? Yeah, sure. Why not? Just go and read. You won’t lose anything anyways. By the way, I’m since I’m from Malaysia, you know, the capital city Kuala Lumpur. Yep. Yep. Yep. There’s like the Petronas Twin Towers. Were just like the tallest in the world right now. Yeah. And currently, there’s like two more buildings under construction. Once recently completed, they call it the TR x 106.

Kyle  11:38 

Yeah, I’ve heard of that. I haven’t seen any photos or anything. But

Danial  11:41 

it’s, um, it’s, it’s almost open. And there’s another one that’s really under construction now is the pnb 118. Okay, which is going to be like the second tallest building on earth. And yes,

Kyle  11:57 

I was gonna say Do you know how roughly roughly how total is I think because the Burj Khalifa is 666 meters. Yeah. Yeah, that’s insane.

Danial  12:08 

But it’s partly because of the spire. So yeah. And there’s also like, that can be one on aid was designed by an Australian film center cut solidus Oh, really? I didn’t know that. Yeah. Yeah, that’s really cool. Yeah. And yeah.

Kyle  12:25 

Well, I’ll hit you up with the next question that I had, because I know that you’re not an architecture student. But I think you’re actually doing really well as a high school student. He hasn’t even started architects yet. So I want to ask you this question. What’s one piece of advice you would give to aspiring architecture students or people like yourself who are wanting to go into architecture? What’s one piece of advice you would give them to be successful?

Danial  12:50 

I would say. Architecture – just follow your passion. That’s the important thing. So if you really are into architecture All those projects, all those hard works are about to go through. It won’t. Like it’ll hurt a bit, but it’ll be worth it. It’ll be worth it. Yeah. So just persevere through the way. And you’ll take the fruits of labor. This I mean, if you really have the passion, you know, seriously, you’ll you’ll feel like you really like it’s part of your, your future career, your future job. And all these things are going to is going to increase experience in the field. So that’s what I really recommend I get interested in those projects won’t really matter that much if you’re really there.

Kyle  13:40 

Yep, I completely agree. That’s great advice. Thank you. So we are running out of time, but before I leave it, is there anything else that you want to mention? Before we part ways?

Danial  13:52 

Well, first of all, I would like to say thank you to this opportunity to be like on your podcast. It’s my first podcast, honestly, like Yeah,

Kyle  14:02 

yeah, it’s absolutely My pleasure. Thank you so much for spending the time with us. No problem. Awesome, dude. And I’ve got one more question is if someone wants to connect with you, and even if you just want someone to follow you, and it’s on Instagram or something, where can they find you? Are you on LinkedIn or Instagram or Facebook or anything like that? The only social media I have is my Instagram. Yeah. And again, my username, maybe I’ll put it on the screen for you.

Danial  14:29 

Okay, sure. Thank you.

Kyle  14:31 

Well, Daniel, thank you so much for being on the show. I know that you got to go really far with architecture. I can’t believe how inspired you are just at 17 years old. You really are an inspiration to other high school students as well. So thank you for taking the time with us. And it’s been absolutely Oh, no,

Danial  14:49 

no problem. And thank you very much for watching today as well. Oh, this podcast will really like increased my experience here as well. So yeah.

Kyle  15:00 

Man. All right. Well, I’ll leave you to it. Have a good Sunday night and I’ll speak to you soon, I’m sure.

Danial  15:05 

Okay. Thank you very much. Have a great Monday next week.

Kyle  15:09 

Thank you so much.

Kyle  0:00 

This is the Successful Archi Student’s Podcast episode 22.

Kyle  0:48 

Hey guys, welcome to the show. Today I’m bringing on another guest because last time we had sureno on the podcast and today, we’ve got Vesal from Iran of the cell is a 19 year old student from Iraq, she chose to go to art school instead of high school. Vesal decided to major in architecture since she was 13. And I think that’s quite incredible to have motivation for the last seven years or six years of her life. So I’ve been asking her some questions about how she stays motivated to study architecture. And she’ll also be sharing some things about how you can succeed as a high school student who wants to go into architecture. And she also explained some of the cool things about art school instead of high school. And really, it’s just going to be a great show. It’s all a bit shorter than the last episode. So we really just get straight into the details and straight into the advice for you guys. And so I find that I think that you’ll find this video really, really helpful. So without further ado, let’s get straight into the interview with wsl

Kyle  1:51 

This is the Successful Archi Student’s Podcast episode 22.

Kyle  1:55 

Welcome to another show. Today I’m here with a very special guest. I’m here with Vesal, from Iran. What’s up so

Vesal  2:03 

everything is good here it’s snowing. Hi to my friends who are watching this.

Kyle  2:10 

Beautiful. It’s a real pleasure to have you on the show. And we did have some technical struggles there for a little bit but we are finally here together. So I want to get to know a bit more about you and your story. So in the emails you were sending me, you said that you’re about two months out of college and you chose to go to art school because High School was boring and not for you, which I completely agree with. Could you tell me a bit more about yourself and where you are in terms of Architecture?

Vesal  2:44 

I’m Vesal from Iran, Tehran, and I’m 19 years old. I have graduated in practical University in cottage and I’m alive with architecture. I love the things that are related to architecture. That’s all.

Kyle  3:08 

Beautiful. And so, you decided on architecture since you were 13. So why did you Why did you decide to pursue architecture? What what was so appealing? or What did you like the most about architecture?

Vesal  3:21 

First, I have to say, none of my family is graduate from architecture and I wanted to major in something different in my family. I wanted to experience something different. And on the other hand, my oldest sister knew about my skills and the economy of my country, she told me to, she offered me to go to architecture school and I accepted it. And from my childhood, I loved building and making my kids I’ve played seems Love that I’m still in love with that game. Even when I saw a thing, I started to draw doors and windows for that. And I knew about my skill. I prepare to continue in lots I have the skill.

Kyle  4:27 

Awesome. And so over the past that though be six years now, have you ever lost motivation to study architecture? And if so, how did you convince yourself to keep on going through that? Hmm,

Vesal  4:43 

yes, I first lost my motivation last time, but I am a human, you know, we are all human, not computers. We need rest. You know, when Person focused on a special thing for a long time. And she or he needs to have some rest. Now, of course I can’t accept any excuses except rest except tired things like this. And sometimes when my teachers are not, we’re not so friendly with me. And they hate me like a simple like algebra students. I lost my motivation and after a bad day and knew about me, we started to have gorgeous designs. I finished so many beautiful designs and process projects with employee attrition. That is There’s no reason to giving up and losing your motivation and the way you love. I’m sorry, I can’t speak. Very good.

Kyle  6:11 

You’re doing great. Yeah, really well.

Vesal  6:15 

Thank you so much.

Kyle  6:17 

And so, for the students who are out there who struggle to stay motivated and stay on track, to kind of had this long term motivation like you did for six years, what advice would you give to them who are struggling?

Vesal  6:30 

Well believe your skills, leave your thoughts and let yourself be something tire. And the situation in a personal life sometimes is a variable, you know, and it’s normal to sometimes giving up and you know, when an architecture has enough of knowledge, that What I inner misty is creating she or he could never get tired, you know.

Kyle  7:12 

Yeah, I agree  if you have a passion for something then it doesn’t consider as work. And it really helps push you towards doing it more and doing more of what you love because it’s, it’s something you enjoy doing so it’s not work to you. And so you mentioned that you go to art school and so I wonder what I want to know how this differs or how this is different to high school?

Vesal  7:40 

Absolutely, artist school and high school has so many different in the article you can see more, in my viewpoint, you can see so many special characters, so many special people with different mind, you know You can see so many colors, you can see so many judgments from projects that see it’s I prefer artist school because I love art. And I think I’ve created creative just for art. You know, high school was so boring for me mathematics, physics was so boring for me. There were too many steel danced at that word with color. They just wrote numbers. And like this, it was fun for me. It’s my character.

Kyle  8:37 

Sweet. And on that topic, is there anything you do in your free time? Because you’re obviously very artistic and very creative. And so that’s kind of something that you’ve got an edge over other students with. But is there anything you do in your free time to get ready for architecture school or I guess any any kind of drawing or reading or Practicing using programs and software. So anything you do,

Vesal  9:04 

yeah, I tried to learn Revit with myself in house. And also I practice tree, the max. And I love it. I love this modeling program. And I also watch architecture progressed in YouTube and TV. And one of my teachers, my one of my best teachers have offered me to work with her. And I accept that I’m working with her. Yeah,

Kyle  9:36 

that’s awesome. Wow. Yeah, that’s, that’s gonna give you even more of an edge over other students that that’s an absolute. Yeah, that’s something I think it’s really good.

Vesal  9:47 

Thank you.

Kyle 0:00
This is the successful students podcast episode 21.

Kyle 0:45
Welcome to Episode 21 of the Successful Archi Student’s podcast guys. Today I’ve got a special episode for you. I interview Serena, who is a first year architecture student from Lebanon. What’s most important about this, though, is that she’s really sharing some ideas from her first semester. And I really dig deep into what are some of the things that she struggled with and some of the things that she really enjoyed from first semester, and also talk about some of the things that she’s looking forward to in the future and all this kind of stuff, all these helpful tips and stuff for any high school students are looking to get into architecture or any architecture students in general, who are looking for some tips or some advice moving forward and that architecture so I’m really really, really excited to share this with you. And this is about a 30 minute interview. So if you don’t have time to watch it now please do come back and watch it because it’s going to be so valuable to you and you’re really going to enjoy the the interview saying that as well. If you guys want to be in an interview, I’m always happy to bring people onto the show other students if you’re a high school student all the way through to a practicing architect. I’d love to have you on the show. And I’m really looking forward to hearing from you so without further ado, I’m really excited to bring on Serena to the show. So let’s get straight into this. Hey, what’s up Aki students well Come to end of the show or the successful students podcast. Today I’m here with a very special guest. Serena, what’s up, Serena?

Serena 2:07
Hello, I’m good. How are you?

Serena 2:10
Awesome. I’m really good. Thank you. I’m absolutely loving life right now. Go back to uni next week. I’m so excited. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. It’s a real pleasure to have you on the show, though. Serena, I really do appreciate you. It’s my pleasure. It’s my pleasure. So I really wanted to get to know a bit more about you and your story. Because in the emails you were sending me, you were saying you’re still fairly new to architecture. You’re going into your second semester coming up, I believe. Could you tell me a bit more about what got you into architecture and why you decided to be an architect.

Serena 2:48
Actually, I thought about architecture when I was like 15 it just love the idea of creating something like designing and Especially that I wanted to like, throw my mark. You don’t want to I mean, that’s how I first started thinking about like, I want to get into architecture. And then it just stuck with me the idea just stuck with me. And I didn’t love anything else as much as I did for architecture. So I guess this is how I started.

Serena 3:22
That’s awesome. I think I was kind of in the same boat. I was 15 years old. And my brother mentioned that. He’s like, Oh, you make a good architect. I had no idea about it. No, no idea of what an architect did and I kind of just stuck with it because of that one sentence that he said to me one day. I yeah, I really enjoyed it. So I’m glad he did say that.

Serena 3:45
More when you search about it, and yeah, you look amazing word like the big architect. It just inspires you.

Serena 3:52
It does. It really does. up so how are you finding it so far? Is it kind of what you expected?

Serena 3:59
Yes. pressure because I didn’t do my research. But it’s it’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it.

Serena 4:06
Oh, yeah. And going back because you’re in your second semester, going back, let’s say you’re starting your first semester again. Is there anything that you wish you would have known or wish you had done before starting that semester?

Serena 4:23
Yeah, like I wish I did. Some Like, I wish I had known about AutoCAD and 3d Max and all these, like before, starting I wish I could like learn them before architecture, because I know there’s not much time. So that’s the only reason that’s the only thing like I wish I would have done for architecture.

Serena 4:47
I think that’s super important as well. A lot of high school students always asked me that question. I said, if you could go back, what would you want or what would you wish you had known? And I always say having those skills just in SketchUp or Revit or Anything, having those skills beforehand?

Serena 5:03
The drawing skills? I wish I had developed it more before architecture, although not much. I don’t know if I can say that, but it’s not that much important. Like to be like, like, super artistic.

Serena 5:16
Yeah, I think. Yeah, that’s a bit of a misconception because a lot of students they’re saying like, they, they think they need to be really good at art or hand drawing. And so they’ll spend all this time on that. And that’s kind of driving away from the fact that you just got to go to architecture school and you learn all of it along the way.

Serena 5:34
Yeah, it’s true. My doctor said, like, the doctor said to us, when we got into architecture, you were like, Don’t think of yourself as like, like actual artist like you do not need to be like artists and your drawings, like because it’s not that important. And I was shocked at first but then like, after we get into architecture, you understand that

Serena 5:59
Yeah. Yeah, that that would be a bit of a shock because I remember going in my first semester, and you think everything has to be perfect, you have to be really good at hand drawing and all this stuff and then it just kind of blows over you that you just got to do quick sketches and all this stuff. So as you look back over your first semester, um, what do you think was the most challenging thing? What What did you struggle with the most or what what did you find the most difficult during that first semester?

Serena 6:29
Well, definitely, like design studio was like, super challenging, because it was extremely new. Like, I’ve never seen something like that and I’ve never like you never like really understand the process of it until you work on it, you know, I mean, and I wish like, and like, design studio doc is like don’t give you 100% like they give you 1% and you have to search for the next Tonight. So those design studio was definitely challenging. But it’s fun and it’s worth it after you finished your project.

Serena 7:14
What you said about that though? How it Yeah, they give you an edge, probably the 1% and then you’re on your own for the other 99. But what are some of the things that you do? I guess because it’s so important to learn by yourself and keep on practicing outside of university. What are some of the things that you do in your own free time to do that?

Serena 7:33
Well, actually, I watch a lot of YouTube videos especially like on your own. I’ve like spend Sunday night like literally watching all of your videos, and I actually really love them.

Serena 7:46
Thank you so much.

Serena 7:48
Watch like a lot of videos on how to do sections, elevations, like these things like you need to like learn on your own. Like your professors do not give you 100% what they what you need to like get from them, like you need to do your own research. And that’s what I don’t like on my free time only on other side like outside of university, like, I have to know. Like everything. Yes Sorry for accomplish my project. So I don’t go rich for the things I need to know. It also like have an architect friend. So I definitely asked her a lot. That’s,

Serena 8:27
that’s a really good resource to have.

Serena 8:29
And reading books also about architecture.

Serena 8:31
Yeah. What are some of the favorite books?

Serena 8:34
forms bass and organ? Yeah, yeah, it’s definitely a good one.

Serena 8:41
That Francis DK Ching that wrote that book.

Serena 8:46
actually do not remember.

Serena 8:47
Yeah.

Serena 8:49
In the name

Serena 8:51
of after look that one up and put it on the screen afterwards because that is a great book.

Serena 9:00
So, the most, like, most important book, I think, like for architecture students,

Serena 9:09
and actually while we’re on that topic, but it’s some of the other YouTube channels you watch, because that would be really helpful for some architecture students as well.

Serena 9:18
Look it up actually, like, the thing is I don’t I don’t really remember the names of like, the channels I watch.

Kyle 9:25
Yeah.

Serena 9:26
I’m, like, I just choose a topic and like, click on whatever video.

Serena 9:33
Yeah. And that’s the way to go. If you’ve got a question, just write it into YouTube or Google and then like, yeah, it’s like having a mentor right next to you. Yeah, so while you look it up. Some of the ones I watch is, let’s show it better. I don’t know if you’ve seen them on YouTube or Instagram or anything like that. Can’t remember the name of the guy that runs that page, but he’s really good and he puts out a lot of great content. I’ve been does the architecture student blog. He’s got a YouTube channel now as well. His name is Josh that runs that page. And he’s got an Instagram page and all that as well. So there’s a couple ones to check it out if people are listening to this.

Serena 10:17
This guy that I watched almost all these videos called, man, Austria.

Serena 10:26
Yeah, I’ve seen a few of his videos. I’d love to get him on the podcast, actually. One day, I think I think Oh, yeah. So yeah, if he’s watching this, he should definitely send me an email. Go. So I’ll go into next question. When I was going into my first year, I remember one of the biggest fears I had was not knowing what equipment I needed, or kind of what kind of architecture like Pencils of rollers are all this kind of stuff. Do you mind letting us know why Kind of what the items you bought were and what you think is necessary and what you think are some of the things that you haven’t used and that an architecture student doesn’t find essential. What

Serena 11:15
will our professors like? suggested we get the technical pens, for sure. And the T, lunar escape compass, because we’re still like, we’re still not allowed to use our computers. Also like, Yeah, I know that’s a big struggle. Well, these are the essential ones.

Kyle 11:45
Yeah, I agree completely. Do you think it’s quite common that most architecture, universities because I didn’t, I think in my first year, we were allowed to use computer and computer aided design However, they were more driving us towards hand And these kind of skills that don’t require a computer or a laptop. So saying that do you reckon it’s like if you could do you reckon you could do say like a sketch app design and still get marked well for it, or would they just say no, it’s only hand drawing?

Serena 12:17
Well, we do get a lot of readers. Yeah. I think it’s a good thing that we first like own like do not use computers at first because I kind of think it’s essential like to know how to work with your own hands. And then later all like during second you are allowed to use computers. Oh, but yeah, I do think it’s essential at first to like, not use computer and like, just do it by yourself. And you’re disappointed at first

Kyle 12:53
and say no, did you have any, I guess art background or hand drawing skills before studying architecture or did you pick them up along the way?

Serena 13:03
Well, my dad used to draw. Okay, so I got this habit from him. And I did not develop it. And to one year before applying to architecture, I like started No, like I because I thought, well, it’s so important to have like a drawing skills. So like, I tried to practice more and more, and it’s gotten a lot better than like the first time I do of course. So, yeah, I did. I’m still trying to work on it. Even though like it’s not like the first thing like the first skill you need to have as an architecture student. But yeah, I still like practice on it. And no, I did not did like right now. Like it’s something that I’ve been working on like from two years ago. Yeah.

Kyle 13:58
So yeah. That’s, that’s kind of makes me think as well, because I remember when I was going through architecture, you know, when I was 15, I want to be an architect. And I thought it was just all hand drawing and you have to be really good at art and all this kind of stuff. But yeah, I think it really is you just pick it up along the way. And

Serena 14:19
you have to learn by your own.

Kyle 14:21
Exactly. So, yeah, you decided our architecture when you were 15. like myself, however, I guess cuz you’ve stuck it out that long. What was that four years ago? So are you 19 years old?

Serena 14:38
Almost. Like. Tomorrow I’ll be 20.

Kyle 14:41
Oh! happy birthday for tomorrow. That’s awesome. So I think you’re exactly one month. Your birthdays exactly one month. What is it after me? So let’s go Is You obviously stayed motivated to you stuck on studying architecture for the past five years then. And so a lot of students, I guess, struggle with losing motivation, or they’ll think that they’re not going to make it. They’re not. They don’t have the confidence in themselves that they’re going to be able to keep going. But obviously, if you’ve stuck it out for five years, then anyone else can do that as well. So I guess what kind of advice would you have for someone who’s saying to themselves, that they’re not that good enough architecture, it’s something that they’re not going to be able to pursue? Like,

Serena 15:42
honestly, after thinking about architecture, I had this image of myself like, after 10 years of what I want to be, and that really helped me really motivated me like I have this certain image of myself that I want to be like 10 years and that’s like the biggest motivation of it for me was Literally, like, just like you picturing yourself in the future, how you want to be what you want to be what you want to do what you want to give to others, like, from this job, it just really helps you like, it really motivates you.

Kyle 16:16
I completely agree with that, because I’ve been trying to talk about a lot as well, because yeah, just like I’m gonna actually quickly ask, do you write down your goals and like, do you kind of do any visual?

Serena 16:31
Yes. Yeah.

Kyle 16:35
Yeah,

Serena 16:36
like it helps, really does help. Yeah, like the simplest thing to do. Like, I just like write down what I want to do. I’m like, just be enjoying I jackleg. This gives me a really good feeling.

Serena 16:48
Yeah. I completely agree with that. I think that’s so important as well, because as an architecture student, it’s, you’re so creative, and you’re so mad that you’ve got a great imagination of this stuff. And so It’s really kind of goes hand in hand in hand in the fact that you can kind of conjure up this idea of the future and then you can envision yourself doing that. And it really does drive you forward to achieving it. Yeah, and do you? Do you ever? Like, once you’ve had a go, I guess, do you ever refer back to it? Is it kind of like a daily thing that you go over it? Or do you just kind of think about it? Whenever you’re feeling de motivated or unmotivated? Whatever that word is? Or is there a way you go about

Serena 17:37
it? remind myself like, this idea? Like constantly, like especially like doing like the end of the project? I’m just extremely tired, like just want to rest like I don’t know what to finish. So I just like take like 10 minutes break, sit with myself, like remind myself like, why am I doing this? Why do I want to accomplish Just like you need this, just to remind yourself why you’re doing what why you’re doing what you’re doing. And that just like really hope to.

Kyle 18:11
I love that. No, I really do, because that’s something I do myself. And whenever I feel like, I’m not, I’m not motivated to finish my project or I just don’t want to get out of bed or something like this, I’ll just start I’ll grab a piece of paper and a pen and notice start writing kind of what I see myself doing in the future. And I think it’s also really important to reverse engineer goes into like a practical plan as well. Do you do any, like daily planning or scheduling I guess, or not? Does it have to be daily, but I guess, in the sense that you reverse engineer your goals of being an architect into kind of a routine of some sort. That makes sense.

Unknown Speaker 18:57
Well, I actually don’t have a routine Like, I think like I’m straight. I’m still trying to figure everything out. Like because the first one was it was really hectic was really crazy. Something’s extremely new. So that’s why like, I go on other architecture students like, what’s your routine? Like? What’s your plan? Like? How do you do this? Like, how do you? How do you like? Just have everything on time? You know? Yeah. Sounds like trying to figure everything out.

Kyle 19:30
Yeah. Yeah, that’s what the first year is all about, in my opinion, anyway, I think it’s just great just to throw yourself in there and then talk to other students and make friends and just get comfortable in architecture. I think that’s what it’s all about.

Serena 19:46
Yes, definitely. I’m still like, trying to like be friends with you, but like, there is never a university like I think they’re just out there in the world.

Kyle 20:03
so in your first year, can you tell me what were some of the subjects you did? And for someone who’s in high school looking to study architecture, what would they expect to study in their first semester?

Serena 20:14
Well, we have history law. Design Studio for sure. Math. Series. Art. What else? descriptive.

Kyle 20:31
Could you explain what descriptive is?

Serena 20:33
Descriptive? Well, it’s geometry. Like turning 3d objects into to the object. In an object, how do you show it in front of paper?

Kyle 20:56
That’s cool. It’s not hard?

Serena 21:03
It sounds hard.

Kyle 21:05
yeah, I think a lot of things in first year when I, first I just scared the crap out of a, just all these kind of technical terms and all this, like, 3d perspective drawing and stuff, but you pick it up along the way. It’s not that hard in the end.

Serena 21:22
No, it’s not that hard. Because it’s new at first. So like, you have to accept the idea that, like, this is it like, as it’s something completely new, that you’ve never seen? But but but it’s really interesting and fun, actually. So

Kyle 21:45
that’s what it’s all about. Um, so I want to go back on to the topic of books because I love reading. Do you have any other books other than it doesn’t have to be architectural later, but As a, at this age, I’ve only probably read a handful of books not that many. So I don’t know, I don’t have a massive library of books. But what do you have you got any books that you want to read or that you have read that you think would be helpful for other students?

Serena 22:16
Um, actually, I have not. I haven’t read them much the books, but I did see a book that really like, got my attention the other day I was at the library. And I saw the name of the book probably was architecture in the United States. I just love the light of architecture there. So it really got my attention. I just suggest, probably, I guess, the we we see like other architects work that will really inspire us. It definitely did inspire me.

Kyle 22:58
I think that is important. So Just to go out and see the architecture because so many people will struggle to come up with a concept or an idea for their own projects, but you can get so many ideas from just looking at other people’s work and all this kind of stuff.

Serena 23:13
Definitely

Kyle 23:15
100% So, I’m going to go into a bit of a fire round here and just ask you a couple of short questions. So who’s your favorite architect? Yet, what’s your favorite building? Would it be one of hers?

Serena 23:34
Well, there’s actually building that still like under construction here in my country. So haven’t been finished, but it’s really good. And it’s weird. It’s not something like the country is familiar with. Nobody ends up

Kyle 24:00
Yeah, was that one of Zaha Hadid’s works?

Serena 24:02
Yeah.

Kyle 24:04
And you doing the name of that building? Or? Actually, yeah, I’m terrible with names or buildings. So, next question. It was Do you have a favorite architecture related book or a book you want to read? But you’ve already answered that. So, if you could give one tip to someone starting or looking to start architecture, something that would change the way that they progress from high school students to transition from high school student to university students studying architecture, what kind of piece of advice would you give to them?

Serena 24:43
To really read about architecture first. To read a lot of books search about it. They’ll go and talk with architecture student or like architects have already graduated. They will like you will see like how it feels. I call it slyke because architectures like not easy, definitely need to learn about it. Just so you have like an idea. When you do start your first semester, you don’t like you need to explore that before you go into the first semester, because some people may drop out, like I have friends good. They actually think about dropping out.

Kyle 25:25
Yep, I have a lot of friends that haven’t made it to the first couple of years. And I’ve seen Well, I had a friendship group, probably, I think eight of us. And then just over time, just I think there’s probably two or three of us left. So I think that’s also important because I wrote it down somewhere the actual statistics, but I think it’s like 15% of students get accepted into university to study architecture, and then it’s set 7%

Serena 25:57
only get into architecture.

Kyle 26:00
Yeah, exactly. And it goes on and on. And yeah, I think it’s less than 1%. Yeah. And it’s scary when you think about it, but it just shows that

Serena 26:11
really telling, like, you have to really work for it.

Kyle 26:15
Definitely. And that’s the thing. It’s competitive.

Serena 26:19
Yeah, yeah, definitely.

Serena 26:22
But then saying that, I like to think that group work is also really essential. And having a team around you, you have people who can help you and you can help each other to succeed. I guess that’s why I’m doing this kind of page and all that kind of stuff. Because I think it’s so important just to help each other out. Yeah, I’m actually on that topic with group work. Did you have any group work in their first semester?

Serena 26:49
Yeah. Yes. And second project was actually could work.

Kyle 26:55
Could you tell me a bit about how that goes because a lot of students kind of don’t really like group work. But can we get a gist of what it’s like in first year group like?

Serena 27:10
It was like, well, the group work was actually like, we were for the group. And everyone, like each one of us had, like a specific idea. So, like, there had to be a lot of understanding. And I don’t know how to explain it. It was difficult at first, but then it got really easy. And, like, you just have to understand each other and like, see, we’re just going to, like, see this point of view. It’ll work out.

Kyle 27:52
That’s the way I remember first year is that should have a group of for one person wouldn’t show up today. classes, one person would be late 90% of the time. And then you’d have one other guy who just didn’t do any work. But yeah, I think group work is essential to being successful.

Serena 28:14
But it’s very difficult also, obviously,

Kyle 28:19
yeah, I know it’s good advice to first year students that to master the art of group work and teamwork, it’s going to be helpful. All right, um, I’m going to ask you one last question before we go because we’re almost hit the 30 minute mark. And it’s been an absolute pleasure to have you there’s been a lot of fun that the time flew like nothing because of how much fun I’m having right now. So if someone wants to connect with you, are you on Instagram or LinkedIn or anything like that?

Serena 28:51
Yes, I do have an Instagram.

Kyle 28:55
I’ll put the links in the description and all that stuff. So if someone wants to reach out to you, they can That. Cool? And finally, is there anything that you want to talk about or share with high school students who want to study architecture or someone in their first year of architecture that you want to let them know? Or is there anything that you feel like I’ve missed in this interview?

Serena 29:19
No, but I just want to say like, you have to really know if it’s your passion or not. Because otherwise, you don’t want to be wasting your years. You know? Because, like we’ve already said that it’s a very difficult major, it’s definitely requires a lot of work and a lot of time. So like you have, it shouldn’t be your passion of purely doing architecture.

Kyle 29:46
I completely agree. Serena, thank you so much for being on the show. You were the second architecture student to be on here. And it’s an absolute pleasure. It’s been a joy.

Serena 29:56
Thanks for having me.

Kyle 29:58
My pleasure. Absolutely. Take care and have a good night wherever you are.

0:00 

This is the successful students podcast, Episode 19.

0:53 

Hello, guys, welcome to the episode today. This is Episode 19 of the Successful Archi Student’s Podcast where we talk about architecture related things and how to succeed in architecture school. So today I’m going to be talking about or replying to a comment. A question I had from a user on the Instagram page (@successfularchistudent). And this was sent in by Valeria Amer. I’m not too sure if I’m saying that correctly, I’m sorry if I’m not. But Valeria was saying that she’s a second year architecture student and she wants to practice and work outside of a university community. So what she means by this is that she wants to improve herself in her free time, because she’s obviously motivated and wants to do that. And this might be helpful for you guys as well. For those of you that want to do more outside of the university in order to excel pass the rest of your cohort and stand out in your city or town.

1:48 

So she also says, “I was wondering if you have any idea where I can improve my work and where I can practice.” And so I said, First off, I really recommend You read some architecture books, and not just architecture books, I think that you should read business books, or just do any kind of reading or self development books itself, self growth books, just any kind of books that will improve you, any kind of reading is really going to help you because really, you’re taking that in the knowledge of successful people. And the reason why I love reading so much, is because it’s a habit developed by pretty much every successful person out there, no matter if there aren’t a successful architect, a successful business person, or just any one who’s successful in life. They all read books, and it’s a it’s a habit that is found among every kind of successful person. And it’s such a great way to expand your knowledge. And if you’re looking at like technical drawing books and stuff like this, it’s really going to help you understand principles that are going to help you in your architecture life. And so I’ve actually got a list of over 30 of my favorite books on the library on the successful archy students website. So I definitely think you guys should check that out because there are so many great books on there. What I’m reading at the moment is actually a real estate book. But the fact is what they told him that is so helpful, not just for real estate, but I’m thinking about my architectural life while I’m reading the book. And it’s talking about stuff like how networking is really important and how it’s good to save your money and all this kind of stuff to invest in your future. And there’s a whole good lot of good stuff in it, but not books not in the library. There’s pretty much only architecture and business related books in the library. And that’s why I think you should check it out because it’s awesome.

3:34 

Anyways, I said my next suggestion. My next suggestion is to watch videos, listen to podcasts and read blogs. Some of my content might be worth digging into I gave a little winky face there. But there are tons of great free resources out there on the internet. So by watching other videos on YouTube by watching my videos, it’s really going to help you get that education outside of your Normal University education that’s really going to make you stand out. By listening to podcasts. Everyone has time to listen to podcasts. It’s such a great thing. And I love podcasts. You can listen to this podcast this episode, just the audio version. So if you’re walking to work, or you’re going to uni on the bus, or you’re cooking dinner, it doesn’t matter where you are, you can listen to the podcast, or any kind of podcast. And it’s something you can do that doesn’t take too much thought and doesn’t take any time out of your day because you can do it while doing something else. I really think podcasts are great. And just watching videos, so like if you’re eating lunch or dinner rather than watching Netflix, why not spend the time to watch something that’s going to be educational, and that’s going to help you for your future? Because I do think success is all about making the sacrifices. You know, put in the hard work now and you’ll get the and you get the good life later. That’s kind of what I like to say to people. But yeah, they’re great. So many great results. On the internet, if you don’t like reading, listen to audio, or if you don’t like listen to audio watch videos, there’s something for everybody. So please do use the internet to to your advantage.

5:11 

So I said, lastly, if you want practical work, so working in the field, who is to say you can’t get it, you don’t need a degree to work inside an architectural office. So what I said is the build up a resume, go to your local firms, and introduce yourself saying you’re interested in offering them free services, provide vermes value and provide them these business owners with value and make yourself a valuable asset to their team. And then they’re going to teach you everything that you need along the way. So it’s a win win situation. So rather than going to firms and saying that you’re looking for work and you need some, some practice outside of the university education, instead of that, offer them something valuable that will make them want to hire you as an intern or do some work placement. Because that’s probably the best way you going to be learning is by actually doing and being out in the field and learning from mentors, because that’s something that I’m reading about in my real estate book at the moment. It’s that mentors are going to be really, really helpful for you. And so that’s kind of what an internship is. It’s that you’re having mentors surround you people that are successful, and you’re just grabbing off all their information or everything they’ve learned through their experience in practice. And then you’re gaining that yourself. So I said, Make yourself useful. Just being around the office will help you gain skills and knowledge other students won’t have the privilege of having however, there was a bit of a follow up question from Philly area here. She says thank you very much. This was really useful. But if you have a bit more free time, I can explain to you why I have few local firms. She says she’s looking for an online job because there’s not that many firms in that area. And she said she lives in Syria and that’s the main problem. Professors, companies here on the higher world. proven graduate, but undergraduates aren’t giving much attention. I hear that some students are working with outside companies like drawing the plans on AutoCAD, and giving design suggestions, etc. I cannot say suggestions, suggestions. It’s the same here. And so what I’m saying in reply to this is that it’s the same here in Australia. But the idea is to offer them something valuable. You know, the reason why these firms aren’t taking on undergraduates is because they don’t have the time to teach and mentor others. They’ve got, they’re running a business, they don’t have time to teach and mentor people. However, if you go into the firm, and you offer them services for free, from a business point of view, you know, that’s a good investment for them. If you’re if you’re going in and offering value to them, they’re going to want to say yes to that. There’s no reason to say no if they’re running a business and they need that kind of help around the office. So I said even if you’re just offering to make them coffees or sweep the floors or file documents or Something like that. It’s like what kind of business owner would turn down for you work. So if you prove to be valuable enough, you start getting paid. If you if you make yourself indispensable, that once you’ve built up leverage then and said, I want to pay you, and I want to keep you around and say once you graduate as well, you’ve gotten yourself afraid. You’ve gotten yourself some work already. And so I said, once you graduate, you’ve already got your foot in the door. And so what she says she wants to do online work, I said, you can do online work on something like fiver, or one of these service, selling business sites. But I said, I think it would be more worth your time and more important to network in your local area and really try to get your name out there by being valuable. And she says, I see my dad is professor and an architectural assistant and he used to do coffee and sweep floors to maybe it’s a secret. Maybe it’s a secret valaria you’re 100% correct. That is the secret by being valuable. You’re going to be creating a good name for yourself.

9:06 

So I’m really hoping you guys found that helpful. If you guys haven’t already checked out my new book, my ebook how to ace any project in architecture school, it’s a step by step guide to what was it achieving excellent results in architecture school. And I’ve been getting so many great reviews and messages every day of people saying how much it’s been helping them. So I feel really bad if you don’t pick up this book. So the links in the description, I really, really, really do recommend that you check it out at least. And I appreciate everyone that’s downloaded the book already. Thank you so much. If you’re still here and you are not subscribed, you have to subscribe to the YouTube channel. And make sure while you’re there to click the bell, so you get notified when I post some new content. That way you won’t be missing out on any great content that I have. And finally, please do leave a like and a comment on the video. It really helps YouTube Share this video with all the other architecture students that need help. So until next time, guys I’ll see you in the next video of the Successful Archi Student’s Podcast.

0:00 

This is the successful students podcast episode 18.

0:57 

G’day, everybody. Welcome to the podcast episode 18. Today I’m gonna be answering a couple of questions I had sent in on the Instagram page, I get questions pretty much every day, I get multiple DMs and emails asking me different questions about architecture and architecture school. And so rather than me typing, like this long last message I’ve got here, where I had to spend 20 minutes writing, I’m gonna just talk because I find it a lot easier to talk and type. So, Mohammed, what’s his name? Khawaja Muhammad Ali, sent me a message saying a lot of stuff actually.

1:37 

He says, “I’m a high school student and I have an interest for architecture. But I have a few queries about the field. I hope you’ll be able to clear them up for me. So my questions are, one, how good you need to be an art for going an undergraduate degree in architecture.” How good you have to be an art to be able to do architecture? And the point I made here was something that I’ve said a lot in my other videos, but I thought I’d clarify in this video as well. And so what I say to this question is that you don’t need any art skills whatsoever to be able to study architecture. And people might be thinking well, but you need to be able to hand draw and create models and renders and all this stuff. You need to be artistic and creative.

2:20 

Yes, it’s a good idea to be creative and artistic and to have those skills beforehand, by not having those skills. It’s not going to make you any less of an architect, or any less of a student. So what I said to this was that, “I already have a couple of YouTube videos on this, and I’ll put those links either in the description or in the cards in the top left or right wherever the button is. And really, what I say is that you don’t need any art skills whatsoever. It won’t make any it won’t make it any more difficult if you don’t, and it won’t make you any less of an architect once you graduate. And the idea is that you learn all the necessary skills along the way as there are no requirements to study architecture. So saying that any kind of art skills and creative skills will make you a better architect, but not having them won’t make you any less of one.

3:10 

And so his next question was “what is the difference between architecture design and architectural engineering?” And this might seem obvious for some people, but for people that haven’t done architecture or haven’t done engineering or looked into it before, this is obviously something that needs to be answered. So, the difference between the architecture and architectural design and architectural engineering is that occupation design is focused on designing forms and spaces for clients. Whereas the architect and sense of his work to an architectural engineer who does all the maths and all the calculations, etc, to make sure that that the building is safe and that it will stand up and that actually can be built.

3:53 

Engineering is a lot more mathematical, whereas the architectural design kind of side is more creative. Although you still will be doing a lot of technical drawings and a lot of putting stuff together. But the engineer is the one that calculates it and make sure that it complies with all the kind of principles and laws in the world that make things stand up, then obviously doing social engineering is going to require a lot of physics and mathematical skills, and a lot of software skills as well.

4:23 

His third question was, “how much should I know about architecture beforehand, leaving for college? And this is exactly the same as my first answer. You don’t need any pre requirements, but having the skills that I talked about in this other video is going to help you. It’s just not having those skills isn’t gonna make you any worse.

4:42 

His fourth question really resonated with me because I feel like this is going to be something that a lot of you guys come across. And he says, “as I’m making my mind up for architecture, I sometimes get a self doubt that I don’t know if I should almost be our to do architecture is this common and how should I overcome this fear?” So what I said to this is that “everyone comes across this, myself included, it’s not easy, and it can be quite overwhelming. But just know that you’ve got this, as long as you are passionate, you will be able to make it and you will go far.” And so I’ve actually linked him to a video of mine as well that is one of the podcast episodes that says actually gain and keep your motivation to study. So if you’re finding yourself getting self doubt about if you’re going to make it or not, if you’re going to do well, just make sure you’re writing down your goals and your reverse engineering them. So what that means is that you have a goal in mind, you have a dream that you want, you might want to be an architect, and you might want to own your own house and you might want to have your own firm maybe. So you go to reverse engineer from that goal. And you’ll be like, well, in the next 10 years, this is what I need to do. And by having a goal in your mind or written on paper more specifically, it’s really going to drive you and help push you to getting more done to staying motivated to staying on track because you’ve got a clear vision of what What you’re going for, it’s like, if you don’t have a vision, you don’t have plans. It’s like closing your eyes or wearing a blindfold while playing darts and trying to hit a target. You know what I mean? Trying to get the bullseye, you know, you’re only going to get it if you’re lucky.

6:15 

So your blindfolded and you’re trying to hit the dartboard, the only way you’re going to hit it is if you’re lucky. And so the idea here is to have a clear vision have a goal in mind. And that might be in the sense that you’re writing down your goals on paper, and you’re giving it proper thought and analysis, and making sure it’s something that’s doable. And that’s something is that you’re passionate about that is driving you. So I honestly think that’s the way you can overcome fear of not knowing if you’re going to make it or not, because if you write down your goals, it makes it so much easier. You got a clear vision and a clear target to aim for. And it’s really going to drive you the rest of the way that you need. That really helps defeat this idea of running an uphill marathon. Yeah, it’s really going to help pull you rather than you trying to push it and so on.

7:00 

I hope that answered your questions for you. And if anyone else has any questions, please feel free to ask them on the forum. Or send me a DM, I will answer them. And I usually spend a long time answering questions every morning. Every morning, I’ll check my DMs, check my emails, and I’ll reply to everyone.

7:16 

Also, if you guys haven’t read my new ebook, How to Ace Any Project in Architecture School, you have to check it out. And like, I’m just I’m so amazed at how many people have been enjoying it and how many people have been reviewing it and saying that it’s changing the way that they study. And this is me kind of selflessly plugging my book because I know that it’s going to be so valuable to you, and I really want you to pick it up. If you haven’t already, please do check it out. The link is in the description.

7:42 

And if you want to check out the show notes for this episode, you can do by clicking the link in the bio description, whatever you call it, and you’ll be able to get some other resources like that you can listen to the podcast instead or you can read the transcripts. And you can also see some of the resources that I’ve been talking about in this episode and one final message if you guys are here and you haven’t subscribed, you must subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss out. And please do click that bell because you’ll be then notified about when I post a new video and you won’t ever miss out on great content again, please do like the video as well because it really does help me and please leave a comment because I will read that and I’ll get back to you. Thank you guys so much and I’ll see you in the next episode of the Successful Archi Students Podcast.

0:00 

This is the Successful Archi Student’s podcast episode 15.

0:03 

Welcome to the show today, guys, I want to talk about something that I posted on the Instagram page a couple of days ago. And it was a question that I put out to you guys, which was, what do you think is the most important thing to know as an archi student? I’m genuinely overwhelmed with some of the great responses that you guys gave me. I was actually so impressed that I put up another story saying how impressed I was.

0:24 

“Yo guys. So I just posted a question before earlier, which was, what do you think is the most important thing as an archi student” and there are so many great responses like, wow, you guys have killed it.

0:34 

And I would continue to share these stories over the next couple of days, which I did. And I still got more to share as well because I got hundreds of responses to this question. And so really, with this video, what I want to do is collaborate all those responses and find out what some of the most common things that people said, were important to know as an artist student and also some of the most important things that resonated with me that I think are extremely important to know as an artist to So I genuinely think this is going to be so, so valuable to everyone listening. If you’re an architecture student, or you want to be an architecture student, you know, some of the things that you guys and gals said, were just amazing, and they blew me away. So I’m going to share those with you now.

1:54 

So as I share these responses, I’m going to be putting the Instagram names on the screen as well with the question that So you can check out who said that and you can confirm that they are real architecture students and they know what they’re talking about. And let’s go from there. So @trigger444. That’s their Instagram name, they said, time management is the most important thing to know as an architecture student. And this is completely true. Not just time management, I think management in general because as an architect or an architecture student, there’s a lot of things that you have to manage, whether it be time money, stress yourself, your the people around you or your finances, everything has to be managed, if you want to be successful, but more specifically, he does mention time management, which is true because managing your time, you know, you’re obviously going to be working on multiple projects at a time you got deadlines coming up and to be able to manage yourself to produce the right amount of work and the right work before the deadlines is extremely important if you want to be successful in architecture school, but not just that. It’s more the fact that once you Getting into the profession of architecture, you’re going to have multiple projects going on at once as well. And so being able to manage yourself in architecture school is going to make that extremely easy or much more easier once you’re in the profession working as an architect, and so that kind of involves the ability to schedule and habits and routines that kind of change the way that you live every day, you know, being able to review a diary or schedule, a scheduler is going to be extremely important and extremely helpful to helping you succeed.

3:33 

The next response was from @egle313. I think that’s how I say your name properly. egle. If not, I’m sorry. What she mentioned is that you need to know when to shut up. During the final presentations. It is not the best time to defend your design ideas. That’s what she says. And that is true as well. I resonate 100% with this because the fact is, so many students are trying to defend their designs and their ideas and their and what they’ve been working on. Because you know, you’ve been working on your project for the last couple of months, and you put in your your hard, hard work and sweat and tears into your projects, except when you go into your credit, and your credit starts saying that your project could have some extra work on, say, the facade, or you can add a bit more detailing stuff like this, then it kind of brings you down. That doesn’t mean you need to defend your ideas. Because really, what they’re giving you is information based of what they know. And these are professional architects who have worked in the profession and there, they’ve been through it themselves, they know what to look for. And so, really, they’re giving you advice. It’s not something that you should take to heart, really, it’s something that needs to be said if you want to continue to learn and progress with your designs and ideas because that’s the only way you’re gonna get better by making mistakes and listening to or learning from your mistakes by listening to your crits quite often I find students trying to defend their designs. making up excuses as to why they lift up an hour or trying to just make stuff up on the spot to defend their hard work. Except if they just spent the time to listen to what their critics were saying. They would be able to learn so much more and be able to progress forward. And really, that’s the only way to move forward and to get better as an architecture student and an architect. So she reckons that’s probably the most important thing to note as an architecture student just went to shut up and listen to the feedback you’re getting because it is it’s there to help you not bring you down. It’s It’s there to move you forward.

5:35 

So @logori96 mentioned that mental health is an important matter. I completely agree with that as well. You cannot function if you don’t have sleep, if you’re depressed or having anxiety. These are things that everyone experiences at least once in their life. So everyone’s experiences before. But mental mental health is a priority over getting good grades. And so if you find yourself getting down or you’re lost, or you just need someone to talk to definitely spend that time to figure it out and talk to someone because that is a priority to take care of yourself. You know, school is not easy, it’s going to be hard, it’s gonna be stressful, you’re going to have a lot of uncomfortable situations on your learning journey. And so to be able to deal with them and to deal with them in a healthy man is definitely going to be helpful.

6:20 

As an addition to the previous response from egle. on when to shut up. @seanbroomy mentions that criticism is a form of feedback, not an attack on your work. And so I think that’s also extremely important

6:33 

@daul0741. I think that’s how I say that. He mentioned that you should design for the people with sustainability in mind. And so I think that’s incredibly important as well, because to design for the people means that you’re more UI designing for humans, you know, designing as an artwork, you’re not designing sculptures, what you’re doing is designing spaces for people to live in. And so I think it’s incredibly important to design of the requirements and the wants that your clients have. So if you’re designing for people, then you need those spaces to be habitable and you need them to be function before form. And definitely have sustainability in mind because the world is finite, and it’s not going to last forever. So definitely try and do your best to contribute to being sustainable.

7:19 

Andre says, to get involved in BIM technology ASAP. I think this is incredibly important as well. And I wish I had gone into kind of Revit and sketch up and CAD know this stuff before starting architecture school. I had no experience for those programs before I started, and although it wasn’t a disadvantage, it would have been an advantage to have those skills already. I was lucky enough to kind of play around with these programs before most other students did in my first year. And I ended up getting really good results for one of my projects because I was experimenting with this. However, I think that’s a great point by Andre to definitely play it. with them at least before starting architecture school, and getting involved with the technology of the future, as soon as possible, because it is definitely where the industry is at, at the moment. It’s not heading there. It’s there at the moment. Although sketching and drawing and drafting and stuff is still prevalent, it’s just where it is. It’s the industry standard. So to learn these things is incredibly important.

8:25 

@edrum.48 mentioned that true design starts when you stop comparing others work and begin creating your own stuff. I think this is super, super important. And as I mentioned in one of the other podcasts, I think, in the in the interview with Andrew McDonald, I mentioned that one of my classmates every time he rocks up to uni, he’ll have all his hard work and his he’s putting all this time into his project. And then he will look around at everyone else’s project and get a bring himself down because he thinks his isn’t as good as everyone else’s. But the truth is you You should just work on your own skills, you know your own skill level, it doesn’t matter what everyone else is doing. If you want to build the biggest talent in the city, you don’t have to bring everyone else’s down, you just have to build the biggest talent. So don’t care what other people don’t care what other people are doing. And just focus on your own work. You know, I post a lot of work on my Instagram page. And you guys might see that and think, Oh, my works not that good. But the truth is, if you just focus on your own work, it doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing. Just stop comparing yourself to others. And you’ll find yourself progressing a lot more quickly and a lot more efficiently.

9:37 

So this is one that a lot of people mentioned, the sleepless nights is the most important thing to know, in architecture school. This is a bit of a different take on it. But to know that there are sleepless nights in architecture school was important, especially if you’re looking to getting into architecture. You know, it kind of is just a choice to make the you don’t have to have sleepless nights, you can definitely have a balanced life within architecture except you’ve got to make the sacrifice of if you want to be successful, then you might have to put in the hard work. And that goes with anything, not just architecture. So like every night, you’re going to have to stay up late. However, the more time you put into your projects, obviously, the better they’re going to be. And so yes, they end up instead of sleeping is definitely going to improve your work. However, there are already for like 186 hours in the week during the day. So it’s just a matter of balancing, getting the right amount of sleep with doing what you love, and working on something that matters.

10:39 

then @_h… mentioned that we should be ready to face redo. And I’ve mentioned this before, I don’t have readers in my country. I know that a lot of countries do and I’m thankful that I don’t but be ready to face them because what it means is that you’re going to put in all this hard work into your project and then you’re going to rock up to Uni and You’re going to get big stamp with a red thing through or cross that gets put through your work and says to redo it. So get ready for that if you’re in one of those countries that have redos.

11:10 

There’s still tons of responses to that question. And I’m going to go through them more over the next couple of days and in the next couple of episodes, but I want to keep this short. So for that reason, I’m going to end it here. Thank you guys so much for listening. Please consider subscribing if you’re new around here. And like the video because it helps me so much. If you haven’t checked it out already. I’ve got my new ebook here, how to ace any project in architecture school. It’s a step by step guide pretty much to anything any project in architecture school, and it’s going to help you achieve excellent results. So until next time, guys, take care and thank you guys again so much. See you in the next video.