Put down the wine glass and pick up a paintbrush. Taking and fulfilling an art course in college will reduce your anxiety and help with interpersonal conflicts. In college, students often turn to alcohol for a branch of support in regards to stress. However, creating art pieces will make you happier and more confident, much more than alcohol or partying ever could. We often flock to parties and liquor, as they both give us a few hours to feel extremely confident, stress free and creative. We dance, laugh and of course, some cry. With taking an art course, the feeling of confidence and happiness is consistent and doesn't end with police sirens.

1. All kids are born artists.

"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once they grow up." - Pablo Picasso

Human creativity is responsible for some of our most amazing inventions and progress in a range of fields. Whether it be the light bulb or the Sears Tower, our creativity is shown through every aspect of our lives. Continuing to stimulate your pineal gland from a young age into adulthood is not only said to ensure a healthy mind, but to understand yourself as a person. Don't restrict your self-knowledge through creative dampening. If you feel as though you lack creativity, look back into your childhood, where doodles and cracked Play-Doh lay on your rug.

2. It's calming.

Engaging in certain practices of art can be relaxing. Art therapy is even a practice used today to help a person understand their emotions and reduce anxiety. With finals, work and a lack of sleep, reducing anxiety is a must in college. Anxiety can often lead to bigger medical problems if continued and worsened. Stay healthy and happy. Watercolor and gestural painting are great ways to relieve stress and create beautiful pieces for your dorm space. Watercolor is an excellent way to add a sense of delicacy and softness to any cold, monotone dorm room.

3. You'll build more self-confidence.

With each piece's creation, a part of you is present. There will never be a piece of genuine artwork produced that doesn't contain the imprint of the artist. You begin to learn more about yourself through the processes of art, achieving a new sense of self. Creating in general is absolutely empowering.

4. You get credits for doing something enjoyable.

Let's face it, there are many classes in college that are truly meaningless. These classes are never enjoyable and make us think of transferring more times than we can count. Taking a course you will actually enjoy will not only reduce anxiety, high blood pressure and depression, but you will thrive and grow as a person. You aren't only rewarded with a new sense of self, art techniques and a beautiful portfolio, but a few credits that will definitely help raise your GPA!

5. You'll strengthen your grades in the rest of your courses.

Studies have shown we often only use one half of our brains, which can often be dissociated with creativity. This could be for a number of reasons, such as our current education system, which consistently suppresses the mind of students, or our ridiculous use of brainwashing media. Regardless, we are often forced into shutting down any part of our brain that will help the evolution of our own being. When taking an art course, you are then stimulating a portion of your brain that's not used to being stimulated. Creating pieces will stimulate the transcranial motor cortex within your brain. Strengthening this portion of your brain helps with insight, emotional productivity, cognition improvement and awareness. When strengthening is achieved, these qualities will be maintained and present in other courses, allowing you to flourish academically, as well.