One thing no one tells you about art school, or rather, no one has to tell you about art school is that you will be surrounded by artists for the next four years. Although this might sound self explanatory, the amount of sheer talent around you might leave you speechless. The competition alone might put you a little on edge sometimes, but that feeling of acute jealousy is outweighed by a much stronger feeling: respect. At some point in their life, every artist has felt a certain disconnection from the environment in which they remain.
Whether you are the only true film buff in a world of blockbuster junkies, or a dancer in that Footloose town, you've probably felt somewhat... odd. A little out of place. You feel like the only snowflake in a world on fire, a world that is watching their art and culture burn around them. An artist's burden is to see the world around them, not as it is, but as it could be. An artist's struggle is not being able to change it. The only thing more frustrating than talking to someone who just "doesn't get it," is talking to someone who does. There is a fine line between healthy competition and bitter jealousy. The difference between the two is whether or not they can spark positive or negative results.
At first, it can be difficult to go from a gifted individual to one of many, but the transition will be eased with a sense of purpose and belonging; that comes with the trek into art school. After all, your classmates on campus are permanent friends at your temporary home. Any good artist knows that all true art is built through collaboration. So dye your hair, get a piercing, join a movement, and be prepared to lose hours of sleep because this is Art school and the only way to fit in here, is to stand out!
