When I started college, I never thought that I would be an art major, much less love being an art major, but here I am loving my art major. Deciding to switch my major to art was one of the most nerve-wracking, exciting and questionable decisions I've ever made. It has challenged me more than I ever thought a major could and has pushed me to try to become the best artist I can be. Here's a few reasons for why I love being and art major.
1. Homework
Instead of having to do 50 math problems or having to study for a biology test for 12 hours, my homework is drawing, painting, sketching and designing. Yes, it's stressful, possibly more stressful than those math problems, but you get to be completely creative and go out the box and your comfort zone with every new project and assignment.
2. Endless Options
I'm specifically a graphic design major, and when I graduate with my degree, I will have hundreds of different options for what I can do with that degree. I can make logos, packaging designs, book covers, movie posters, album covers, etc. The options are endless, and I can tailor my classes to exactly what I plan to do. Whether you are a sculpture, drawing, painting or any other type of art major, your options are limitless.
3. No Finals
When I tell people that I only have one final for my GE course, they usually get pretty upset because they have five finals, two in one day and I have one for all of finals week. Art majors don't really have final tests. We have final critiques instead, which can be just as hard. You usually have a final project for the class that gets critiqued by everyone in the class and your teacher, and then you're done. You get your final grade, and that's it. This can be both a blessing and curse depending on how much your teacher liked your project, 'cause the final one can make or break your grade.
4. Creativity Overflow and Decline
Being an art major causes constant waves of creativity during dull times and then a week or two of absolutely nothing when your project is due. Getting those sparks of ideas are great when you really need them and can lead to some awesome projects. The only problems are caused when your creativity seems to have gone on a surprise vacation and forgot to tell you.
5. Art Majors get to Have Fun in Class
In class, we don't just sit and listen to the professor lecture at us for three hours. We actually get to work on projects for the entire class time. Whether it's going outside to draw trees, making origami elephants or sawing pieces of wood to make a sculpture, we get to have fun during class.
6. Personal Style
If a business major has purple hair, they won't be getting a job anytime soon. Visible tattoos... don't even think about it. Art majors get to do whatever they want concerning their own personal style. If they want green hair and a full arm sleeve, they do it because it's how they choose to present themselves and their body is their own kind of artwork.
7. Constant Challenge
Every single art class and professor is different. They are constantly requiring you to think outside of the box and try new things that you may not have even thought were possible. If you would have told me one year ago that I would use a saw and not be completely terrified, I would have laughed in your face. I was completely scared of saws and wouldn't go near them until I took a sculpture class where I had to use one, and it was easy. Every class comes with new challenges and a new opportunity that will make you a better artist.
8. You get to Follow Your Passion
I have always loved art and getting to continue doing that for the rest of my life will be amazing. You get to follow what you love and have to be willing to risk everything to be able to do just that. Every day will be a new experience that is completely different from the day before.
