Studying towards a听Bachelor of Fine Arts
听
Why have you chosen to study Fine Arts at UC?
I used to think I would study ja music at Vic, but in the last year I had a revelation that I wanted to do something that would impact the world. I chose instead to follow my passion in the visual arts and the power images have on the human psyche.
I knew that UC was one of the strongest contenders for best art schools in New Zealand, and it鈥檚 proximity to Blenheim made the transition so much easier. Generally, I knew that UC pumped out good academics.
How have you found it so far?
So far, I am loving the freedom to study. I鈥檓 not forced to work or anything, and I get to do it in my own time and plan out my days to accommodate for my social life. It鈥檚 quite overwhelming at first but once you get into the swing of it, it鈥檚 super fun.
What鈥檚 actually involved in day-to-day Fine Arts study?
You have to make sure you clearly understand how your week will pan out 鈥 BFA doesn鈥檛 follow the same timetabling schedules as other degrees, due to it having studio and tutorial groups running different disciplines.
I spend a lot of time after studio practical work in the BFA doing my readings for art history, so generally I鈥檒l be in studio up to 3pm and then spend a couple hours studying my readings.
It sounds like you have to be pretty self-motivated. Do you have any advice for future BFA students from what you鈥檝e learnt so far?
Get on top of your readings fast; they are super helpful to the context of your lectures, and if you don鈥檛 understand them, that鈥檚 even better 鈥 write down questions and ask classmates or the lecturer. Simply 鈥渁bsorbing鈥 the readings is a great way to get ahead, even if you don鈥檛 understand them.
Everyone is super helpful, and at the end of the day showing up is what counts.
Looking way ahead, what kind of arts career are you aiming for?
I hope to end up in a gallery or exhibition, outside of UC-run ones. I think I鈥檇 like to be a curator or residential artist as well.
The thing with arts is that it is constantly changing, and I don鈥檛 think I鈥檒l end up in one spot for very long.
Coming from Blenheim, you chose to live in听University Hall, in one of the self-contained flats?
I was aiming to flat with some people but nothing really spoke to me, and I ended up having to rush towards Uni Hall only a couple weeks before study started.
I chose to apply for a hall of residence because of its proximity to the University, the potential communities I could be a part of, and how close I am to other like-minded people.
What鈥檚 been a great way to meet those communities?
The clubs. All the clubs host close to halls (usually on UC campus or thereabouts) and it鈥檚 a great way to meet people who have the same interests. It鈥檚 also a great way to get out of the house 鈥 and there鈥檚 plenty that will get you fit, and plenty that are really fascinating.
O-Week was also a great experience as it had a diverse range of activities 鈥 not just sports 鈥 so I was able to meet some cool people pretty quickly.
Were there any challenges to living away from home for the first time?
For me the biggest challenge was making friends. Coming from a small town, not many of my friends came with me to UC, let alone Uni Hall.
However, like I鈥檝e mentioned, clubs are a great way to meet people, and I鈥檝e started to surround myself with the people whose company I enjoy the most. I overcame my initial sense of loneliness by just putting myself out there, and not letting nerves get in the way.
Any advice for others thinking about staying in a hall?
I would say to make sure you apply early, as quite a queue can build up and you don鈥檛 want to be in a rush 鈥 especially if it鈥檚 your first time moving out. So get in early!
