Earlier this month when I was making my schedule on WebReg, I really wanted to apply for a drawing class. I don't have a declared major/minor yet, but I thought that would be OK because it's a "drawing fundamentals class" so I don't need to have any past experience to be able to join the class.

There are a few art related classes available for non-art majors who are not a part of Mason Gross. Those include but are not limited to: Intro to Art History, Theatre Appreciation (I and II), Dance Appreciation, and a few other slightly similar but different classes (i.e. Modern Dance, Ballet). I was really excited to add Drawing Fundamentals to my schedule, so much that I added, dropped, and rearranged my schedule at least four times just so the three-hour studio class could fit in. The next day, I went to meet with an advisor who didn't explicitly say that I was not eligible to take the class. She told me I should go and meet with Mason Gross Admissions officers and see if I can get a spot in the class and what the process is.

To my dismay, the woman I met with told me that there is no way I can take Drawing Fundamentals, even if I email a professor and they let me in. I was not a declared art major, so I had no chance.

In high school, I was so fixated on taking classes that I "should" take that I did not explore my own personal interests, art being one of them. I thought that when I came to college, I would finally have a chance to tap into my creative side. College is supposed to be a time of exploration, after all. I thought I would have more opportunities to immerse myself in the subjects that I really wanted to learn things about, and not just through clubs.

I really wanted to take an art class. That's my point. My first semester, I was enrolled in both Creative Writing and Art History and I felt so good, I felt like I was finally exploring an area of my interests that was wrapped in barbed wire before. But there is no other class I can really take until I declare myself an art major/minor (if I get accepted into Mason Gross first).

I'm not upset because there is an obstacle in my way. I don't want to sound like I'm complaining or anything because if I really am interested in art, I can take classes at a community college and transfer my credits, I can watch YouTube videos, etc. There is always a way to achieve something if you're persistent and dedicated.

But art has so many benefits that people who are studying biology, journalism or people like me who just want to do something creative but cannot afford to go to art school, can explore and take advantage of. Here are a few reasons why art is so beneficial.

Positive distraction

Drawing, painting, sculpting, photography — all of these forms of art give your brain a chance to be engaged in what you're creating and only that. We live in a fast-paced world, where all of our answers take 20 seconds to find. But with art, you have to sit and practice patience and mindfulness.

De-stressor

All of those adult coloring books that were creeping their way into our houses in 2016? There was a reason they were a trending. It's because coloring (art for that matter) is therapeutic. Art therapy is a real thing! Being focused and having your energy centered on something you're creating, is essentially like having your energy focused on yourself.

Encourages creative thinking

Art helps broadens your perspective. There isn't just one way to shade or draw a face, or paint. It helps take your perspective from thinking that the solution is just outside the box and taking expanding it to outside the triangle, the pentagon, the circle... you get my point. Art helps you come up with creative solutions to problems you probably thought had only one way to be solved. Interestingly enough, creative thinking also helps stimulate the growth of neurons in your brain.

Provides a sense of accomplishment

Art has no rules. It's an unapologetic way of creating something that is true to your emotions. When else do you get to do that? You have the chance to create a dope piece of art that YOU are responsible for! You can use this newfound belief you have in your capabilities to go and study for an exam you have coming up or write that paper that's due in the morning.

College students are stressed, depressed, and almost never feel #blessed because of that. But providing more art classes for students who are not enrolled in art school can really benefit their overall mental health and performances. Everyone needs an outlet for their emotions. More art classes could be the beginning of a chain that improves students' mental health and Rutgers should hop on that chain.