Life as an architect seems pretty fun and glamorous. Designing skyscrapers and houses to live in, creating offices where goals come through, and developing various spaces where one can relax and unwind; does sound exciting. To get to the position, one has to put in a lot of effort and prove themselves worthy. Naturally, this is justifiable since architecture is not just any job but an important profession with heavy responsibilities. Hence the journey to become a successful architect is also quite arduous.
A student in their 5 years of architecture course learns a lot inside as well as outside the classroom. There is something to observe, some to sketch, something to note down at every turn they take. These incredible habits and skills develop throughout the 5 years and result of a person who is much smarter and knows their way around every difficulty they may face. The skills and personality developed do not come the easy way though. As fun architecture might seem, some things make an architect more resilient, strong, and perseverant. These things are not all glam and exciting, but they do teach one a lot.
- The discouragement.
Many students might have encountered this at some point in their architecture course when the teachers of the course themselves have declared that architecture has no scope anymore. It’s quite disheartening when the person guiding you for the five years says that the sweat and tears a student puts into the course amounts to nothing ahead in the future.
2. Unrealistic Expectations.
Architecture students are quite infamous for their sleep schedule. Ever wondered why? Architecture students are expected to complete tons of assignments from every subject within a timeline that leaves them no time to step outside for some time let alone sleep. The quality of these assignments cannot be compromised in any manner as even a minor mistake can cost a lot. This not only makes the lives of mere 19-year-old students stressful but also leaves them no time to socialize or connect with others.
3. Outdated Curriculum
While many colleges in India have updated their courses, most of them are still adhering to the one referred to in the past. Many of the topics like construction techniques, building materials, etc. are still as per traditional methods. In the new era of technology and innovations, they seem to be lacking.
4. Lack of technology
Every architect now works on the latest software and with the help of technology can achieve even better designs. When this is the industry, then why are colleges so disconnected from technology being introduced and working along with handwork to enhance the skill sets of the students? Delay in introduction to technology only harms the development of knowledge in a field like architecture.
These are just some main issues faced by architecture students in India right now. These issues alone are more than enough to demotivate a bright student and bring them down. How can one then expect them to turn in a fantastic jury at the end of the year when the whole year all they have heard is there is ‘no money, no scope in architecture’ and not slept for a number of nights?
Architecture is an ever-evolving field. New technological advancements do not hinder but work cohesively with the human mindset and skill set, the sooner architecture colleges start incorporating technology in their courses the better the scope of architecture. Architecture students have now become used to this kind of approach and thinking toward their field of passion, it is saddening but it has also made them immune and resourceful. Students now don’t rely just on their educational institutions so much. They have developed a skill to acquire any kind of information, major or minor from any corner of the world with the help of many connections they make and the technology they use.
Architecture students are now opening up to more opportunities from other fields like design as well, this not only expands their skill set but also gives them a chance to explore other domains and make connections so unique. That’s why many students are now quite advanced and ahead of their curriculum, learning from the internet and the outside world and implementing it in their assignments has got them relying on no one for information. As the field evolves, students are also evolving and getting better each year. These issues are problems, yes, but students have found a way around them and are even trying to better the community of architecture in many ways. Architecture will still remain a tiring degree but the fruits of hardship always pay and the fire, the passion in every student cannot go without achieving something. As long as one has passion, the right things happen at the right time.
