Tea and Talk

The other week we had a Tea and Talk with the second year VisCom students. For which I contributed brownies.
As someone who's not entirely sure what they want to do, or where they want to go in terms of pursuing an art career, but seeming to be more leaning towards illustration I had tea at three tables; those who are lost, illustration and bits and bobs burgers.
We'd collectively come up with questions to ask them before hand, and the answers they provided were very reassuring and valuable to me.
One of my main concerns has been that I'm not sure where I want to go, I've always been the kind to dabble in a bit of everything, I like to be able to have the skills to do anything I might want to pursue. So when asking if they'd changed their practice and if their interests had changed over time it was reassuring to find they had, and that actually many of them are drifting between specialisms themselves, but not to feel pressured into choosing one, because there's nothing wrong with an artist who can apply themselves to more than one field.
But that it is good to have some idea to think of what you want to do at the start of second year.
One of my main concerns has been trying to include the course ethos in everything that I've been doing 'trying to make the world a better place', I love the ethos, though I don't always want to have to make my artwork apply to that, Sometimes I just want to try something, and have my own take on it, rather than trying to relate it to how it may improve the world, or pointing out some problem in the current times.But they reassured me that they felt the same sometimes, and not to worry about that, they really seemed keen to get across this point that the ethos comes after, don't work to change the world.
They emphasized the importance of staying motivated, and managing your work load, because everything is on your own back and no one will push you. They stated that it had been this that is what made them feel more independent than ever, but its also what was increasing their confidence. I already feel that since I have started in September my confidence has risen. And I'm certainly looking forward to second year.