Architecture is a creative process. But sometimes the process can become frustrating when you run out of ideas to pursue. Creative thinking and coming up with a design solution is something that has been taught in every architecture college. Being an architectural student constantly reminds us to come up with something unique and innovative. But ideas don’t just present themselves, rather they need to be unearthed. But what if I say that after all the digging, you are unable to find the one thing that you have been chasing. What will you do? Try to dig deep or steal from someone? One such incident happened with me in my final year of college.
It was a weekend. A fine day to relax. But 5 years into college I have accepted that weekends are a myth! No matter how many days into the submission, true motivation strikes just before 2 days the date of submission and that’s when the creativity kicks in. So, I was asked to submit the thesis topic a week prior. I didn’t bother much and kept on chilling with my friends pushing the assignment for the last minute. But 48 hours before the submission deadline I panicked and with no choice I had to put myself behind the laptop to find out the potential thesis topics. My topic should stand out, something unique which no one has ever thought of, I murmured to myself. I haven’t slept since yesterday; all I can see is a million tabs eating my RAM in search of “UNIQUE THESIS TOPIC”.
On the other side of my room, I could see my roommates lying down doing ‘Netflix and Chill’. This was eye spring but yes probably they are not as enthusiastic as me. I have a habit of following the road which is less taken and that’s the reason why I always lag the deadlines.
As the sun started ascending the sky, I realized those 48 hours were flushed within those million square tabs. I was blank, completely clueless about what I will submit. I looked outside my window and all I could notice was a beautiful sunrise turning into a scary nightmare. My eyes were red, and my heart weakened. I hadn’t slept in the last 48 hours and was high on caffeine. I got so hopeless that I thought of taking the path that should never have been taken. I stressed out and started running in a 50 feet long corridor across every room so that I can eavesdrop like an assassin. I went from one room to another just to check what my classmates were doing.
By the time I could find something, it was already 8:30 am. Hungry, sleep-deprived, and yes, with no progress with the topic I was returning to my room when suddenly a voice fired at me. “What were you doing in other people’s rooms? Were you stealing?” Warden asked. I was in no state to dodge the bullet of our retired military man who was in charge of this prison-like hostel. I started gibberish so he took me to his office. In 48 hours, that was the first time, I was not thinking about the thesis topic rather I was busy writing an apology letter for checking everybody’s room.
I returned to my room and saw my roommates were getting ready. I saw the time and it was already too late to be able to dress up. I quickened myself, uncombed, toothbrush in my bag, and with the marathon, speed reached the college gate hoping to take help from my friends. I walked past the classroom; everyone was looking energetic and to my surprise, they were holding piles of sheets in their hands. I asked my fellow what the sheet is all about. Little that I know that we were asked to prepare a brief about the topic. I panicked and grabbed the last bench, quickly opened my notebook, and started scribbling. For the first time in my life, I could feel my heart pumping in full capacity. I composed myself and went to a friend’s desk to get something beneficial out of the conversation. I asked him to explain his topic just to dwell on the conversation. Then I jumped to the next desk and this process continued with at least 7-8 people.
I finally had the direction, so I started scribbling again by mixing some part of everyone’s topic to come up with my own. The classroom environment was tensed since the Professor was getting frustrated with the kind of work students were showing. This made me more nervous as I was struggling to even get the topic right. Suddenly I realized, my name was being called out. I hurried and went in front of the Professor with a single sheet of paper which of course was of no use in front of the work which my classmates had submitted. He asked me about my topic. My voice fumbled, and my hands started shaking. I showed him the crumpled piece of paper, thinking that I might be screwed. The professor assessed the paper, then looked at me with a slightly satisfying smile and said to me “Well, I like the direction you have chosen for your topic. It sounds really interesting and I think that if you pursue this, your thesis will turn out to be amazing! I hope that you bring something more insightful the next time we meet.” I was relieved after hearing this. I could feel the joy as I returned to my room.
Over the next few days, I learned from my mistakes and researched my topic. This incident made me do certain things that I would not normally do, but the result was unexpected. Architectural is all about being patient, ups and downs are likely to happen. But what remains constant is the determination to find the perfect topic for yourself.
