I am clumsy. And clumsiness in Architecture school, believe me, is not the best tool to have in your box. I would arguably settle on the fact that pulling all-nighters, over-caffeinating and the anxiety, if you have the time for it, of course, are also not the best set of tools in the architecture DIY kit, but hey, in my opinion, these come with the package, no matter if you ask for them or not. Although, it is a debatable topic, and some of you would agree, some of you not so much, but haven’t we all been through the same? I mean, hats off to those who managed to get things done without spending three straight days and nights with black under-eyes, infusing themselves on espresso and pasta like there is no tomorrow. For the less fortunate ones, the procrastination, self-destructive mode, and night-owl character were the holy trio. But, we all survived.
Now, the thing about the not-so-healthy type of architectural life a group of us chose to swear, live, and work by, is that it has its perks. For those of you, who are yet to enter this zone of “the barely functioning society” is that it is not so bad. It is perfectly ok to be disorganized, late for classes, filled up on caffeine, and doing some things at the latest moment, just as it is perfectly ok to be exactly the opposite, or somewhere in between. We are all different, but we all get the same degree at the end of it, as long as we manage to do everything by the given deadline. And yes, deadlines suck. James Moriarty to Sherlock Holmes is what deadlines are to architecture students; that being a “sworn enemy”.
In the first year of college, the second semester I had a house in a row to do a model. Fairly simple task, if you ask me now, but back then, it was considered to be the most painful thing. And I had “a Moriarty” coming up the next morning because well, let’s not fool anybody; I have been and always will be; a procrastinator. So, naturally, I left the model for last. Now, let me deflect a bit. The thing about doing things at the last moment is that you can find the will to finish up the things that you are ok with, and for me, those were the drawings, sketches, photographs, research, the project in general. The second part, which is the part that is the least favourite, most of the times, is left for last, because mainly you are betting on the illusion that some type of Armageddon will happen and you will not have to do it or you will just do it unwillingly, full of resentment for the professor, class, the project itself, basically everything and everyone that are in no way guilty for the situation you put yourself in.
The house in a row was not so lucky. Armageddon did not happen. And that means it was built out of the resentment of its maker in the period of 1-5 am on a beautiful Wednesday. A lot of factors influenced the way the model was done, but it was done nonetheless. It was the most beautiful thing to scratch one more thing on the ‘to-do’ list. I was so proud of myself. Not because of the model, granted, because it wasn’t the most beautiful flower in the garden, to be honest; but because of the success of restraining myself to not toss the model out on the street, or worse, to fall asleep.
I was in a zen mood for a good ten minutes while I was cleaning up, timidly looking and smiling at the model placed on the sofa from time to time. This “baby” was safe. At least, until I decided to sit on the sofa and take a fifth in a row cup of coffee that I planned on drinking it calmly, a reward for my small victory. However, the universe had other plans for me that I was oblivious about. I suspect that the model did not like the way it looked, so it placed itself right at the place I was supposed to sit on. I sat on it or better said I think I threw myself on it. I mentioned I am clumsy. The Armageddon did happen at the end, and it was the most unbelievably ignorant thing I have done so far, and my response to it was laughing.
“I laugh because I must not cry, that is all, that is all.” – Abraham Lincoln.
Not all the stories are clean humorous experiences, some are a “bitter-sweet symphony” or a tragicomedy if you will. However, no matter how hurtful a situation has been, after a given time, they all become easier to be said, reminded of, and some of them to be laughed on. However, you survive. Architecture school toughens you up, and not just for you to be able to survive the fact in case you sit on your model; it toughens you up for life.
Those who have been through similar of these types of “events” and are done with school, or are “seeing the light at the end of the tunnel” can attest to it and of course, congrats are in order, for the end of the battle; and for those of you who are yet to enter the gladiator arena, well my friends, for you, I have a long list of advice, but the most important of it is, BE DETERMINED. A college is a peculiar and unique experience for every individual. It is a fundamentally important part of one’s evolving. It is also a crucial chance to enjoy oneself and make the most of it.
Onward, mine own fellow gladiators, for thou art the future.
