Strive For More Knowledge: A Guide To Your Final Year At The College ’
^^A Final Rap, More Knowledge (Covid-19 Version), specifically addressed to fellow IMM Students during this unprecedented time
A useful reflection for any rising IMM seniors at TCNJ. (hopefully)
It’s May 2020 as I write this final deliverable for Thesis class. In the midst of this coronavirus pandemic I can’t help but notice how every one of us were impacted from a situation that was beyond our control. The recent chaos in the world happened to coincide with the insanity of completing final term assignments, and yet my fellow graduates and I prevailed in IMM nonetheless.
Our spirits were tested, but they were too resilient to be broken. This without a doubt can be attributed to the unwavering passion of our wise professors, as well as our continual drive to succeed as students in all areas of Interactive Multimedia. This year’s online IMM Senior Show saw a lot of great projects from dozens of fresh graduates who would be more than apt to provide constructive advice to readers like you!
However, even if the intentions are positive, no one really likes to be told what to do. Am I right? So instead, I’ll take a more humble and empathetic approach for this article. I will attempt to offer some poetic words of counsel, rather than advice.
Words of counsel ̶a̶d̶v̶i̶c̶e̶ regarding the following points will be covered:
- Finding inspiration for a thesis project if you have no idea where to start.
- Making the most of others’ feedback when you do have an idea, allowing others to help make your idea better.
- Coming up with a project concept that will inspire and motivate you to work on it consistently for eight months.
- Finding a project that capitalizes on your existing knowledge and skills while challenging you to develop new knowledge and skills.
- Work habits — developing a disciplined routine that allows you to make steady progress and arrive at the project as you imagined it.
- Seeking out the resources you need to develop your project — people, hardware and software tools, online resources and training, etc.
- Making the shift from student to aspiring professional — internships, job searches, etc. In particular the most effective ways to frame the skills, knowledge and interests you’re likely to have as an IMM graduate.
A few words from the wise…
Put your ego aside and put away your pride. Innovation is found where collaborative spirits reside. Don’t let the voices of critics force you in any direction, but remember to give those voices a moment of focused reflection.
Often, the best advice comes from our peers. Not every person shares your exact passions, but most of us share the same fears.
These are fears of being judged or not reaching some predetermined bar. Many might feel they have failed, even if they’re just one stroke off par.
There’s nothing wrong with constructive criticism and positive feedback…only when alone will we struggle to find the right path. If we learn from each other we are bound to stay on track.
What’s the real cost of college when you’re striving for more knowledge?
Many students share personal challenges and financial burdens…but there is one task we all face and this much is for certain.
That task is to learn about life…to find vision and purpose. If you take the straight path, you’ve done yourself a disservice. Don’t expect to discover much while scratching at the surface. Instead, dig deep and apply yourself to something that’s worth it.
When your work inevitably stacks up in a daunting pile, that’s when you should ask yourself what you really find worthwhile.
When you’re stressed out and life gives you pause, what work do you find rewarding in the midst of it all? This may be work you do because you know your skills are good. Or maybe it’s something you haven’t done yet, but wish that you would.
Pick either option, it doesn’t really matter. But if you don’t know where to start, I’d suggest the latter.
It’s never easy to learn something new. It may drive you nuts, but for 8 months at least you’ll have something to do. Take the opportunity and learn among those who share the same interests as you.
Sometimes you’ll work really hard, but things will hardly work at all. That’s when it’s good to take a step back, while you’re still standing tall.
Great work habits aren’t determined simply by hours spent. Rather, also consider what has been gained during time that has gone and went.
All of the moments in which you don’t succeed, are opportunities to attain the perspective you really need.
Trial and error will lead you to make project tweaks or even giant u-turns. Later on you’ll no longer be concerned, but you’ll remember the challenge you faced and all that you’ve learned.
At semester’s start, I worked for many hours straight. My work was losing luster; my bedtimes were getting late. You have to ease the pressure when it’s time to create. You need to ease your mind, and get into the right state.
Routines can become stale when they turn days long and gray. There’s nothing juvenile about killing the hum-drum to create the space to play. When you lead with curiosity, the work falls into place.
Sometimes even in your best of times, it’s still hard to succeed. Brick walls just exist to drive off people who lack the drive to achieve.
Don’t try to plan your whole life beyond Thesis 1 and 2. Keep it simple, and just pick a project you really want to do.
Don’t choose something about which you literally have no clue. Pick something that piques your interest in an area where you could improve. Ideally, it’ll be something that draws on your many strengths but allows you to gain some skills that are new.
Set goals, and write them down too. It’s not easy to get started, but it’s even harder to follow through. Remember to take breaks, when they’re deserving of you. Always avoid fatigue, but keep the passion and continue to improve.
Great words once uttered by someone most amicable ….……………….. “If it’s mentionable, it’s manageable”
Hardware, software, and various tools. Be sure to access your resources while you’re at school. Admitting your struggles is better than falsely acting cool. Reach out for support, don’t act like a fool.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or challenged, then seek out help. The power of a supportive team is always greater than the capacity of oneself.
Communicate as early and as often as you need. The extended IMM family contains some of the most supportive people I have seen.
I want to thank Dr. Buckleitner for being my biggest fan around. He inspired the rise of MC Lee on the quest for a dope sound! I was looking for more knowledge, and that’s exactly what I found. I’ll always have more to learn, but now I have the nuts and bolts down.
Soon it will be time for your next chapter. Take this time now to figure out what you’re really after.
All the skills you’ve gained, there’s many ways you can frame them. However, what a resume can’t explain is how you’ve attained them.
You are more than the information you know. As gardner explained, there are multiple ways of knowing, and many paths of development down which you could go. Perhaps the greatest strength of IMM graduates is our versatility and our openness to grow.
We all have our specialties, and you know what you do best. No doubt, you’ll leverage your skills when life puts you to the test. Remember to be kind, to yourself and to others. Follow your dreams (within reason) and don’t get weighed down by stress. Give your all to Plan A before you settle for anything less.
contact: kylelee960@gmail.com
