22 Simple Guidelines for the Successful Architecture Student

"Victory is the child of preparation and determination". ~ Sean Hampton

Today, I thought I’d give a bit of a token piece for the new readers, for them to get an easy overview of all the topics Archi Student Help has covered in its first 50 pages or so.

From me to you, here’s a 22 point summary of the blog’s take-home points for young designers thus far, geared at helping you become your best self yet. If you find them helpful, please – feel free to share them with your friends.

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1. Discover early on what it really means to design. And in-grain it into your thinking.

2. Understand that the best take-home from every project isn’t a pretty rendering, but a more-informed design process.

3. Prioritize your health. Consider that life is a marathon and not a sprint.

4. Invest in your brain power. Integrate life-hacks into a comprehensive program to keep you revved like a well-tuned car.

5. Become process-oriented. It will make you happier, more consistent, and will give you solid self-worth.

6. Break down complex thinking to simpler perspectives. Don’t cause your own paralysis by analysis.

7. Embrace the value of sketching. It’s still the architect’s best tool.

8. Put in the most work where it really counts. Get the most bang for your buck from where you invest your time.

9. Be honest with yourself. Think about your design motivations – and develop your paradigms over time.

10. Don’t be discouraged that there are many things you don’t yet know. Accept your current situation and move forward.

11. Familiarize yourself with the profession’s drawing standards. Then eventually consider how to innovate or tailor make your own style.

12. Learn, Plan, Commit, Adapt. Find an organized problem-solving system that will work for you.

13. Do your research efficiently. Look for awesome and effective take-off points where your reading can branch out from.

14. Be inspired by the profession. Take to heart the value of the architect in driving a nation forward.

15. Respect the allied professions. Understand how both architects and engineers have different focuses in moving mankind forward.

16. Connect with the world. Read up on the international scene, learn from what everyone else is churning out – and form a critical opinion.

17. Continually develop your life plan. Watch it grow with you.

18. Study brochures and catalogs of what is out in the market. Your designs should be cognizant of the latest technologies.

19. Consistently read up on your local architectural scene. It will help frame your perspectives on global contexts.

20. Reflect on what’s truly important. There’s more to life than the emotions of our youth.

21. See the complexity and value of the simplest of spaces. There’s a lot to consider even in the smallest rooms.

22. Regularly look ahead at what to expect in future classes. It will help offset some of the shock, and allow you to prepare accordingly.

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SketchGuru_20141108170919 — (c) Aldo Mayoralgo

That’s what’s up for now. Expect these point summaries to be a regular occurrence as the blog churns out more and more informative entries. I really do enjoy efficiency, after all.

In the meantime, I’d like to thank you for all the awesome support in the first few months of Archi Student Help. The readership has been on an upward trend, and the blog is already tagging up a couple of thousand views per month – which is great for a site this young.

Hope you would keep sticking around. I’m committed to raising the bar in consistently creating great, helpful, and meaningful content.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, I’m easily reachable by our Facebook and Twitter, or by email at aldo@archistudenthelp.com.