Its strange how when you meet old friends from way back and started chatting, the moment you mention that you in the architecture course, you get a strange look. A look of respect? Shock? Bewilderment? Disbelief? Or simply “how could a slacker like you get into such a course”?
I personally find it very disturbing. Architecture is just another course in the university, and one that I love for that matter. In the past I wouldn’t stay up to study chemistry or Biology, but now I would stay up to draw floor plans of Villa Mairea, read up on Brunelleschi, Palladio, Le Corbusier and Alvar Aalto (which is what I am doing now), and trying to use their methods to incorporate in my exercise. I was deeply upset to have interpreted the assignment wrongly, do the wrong thing, resulting in minimal feedback on Thursday.
I’ve heard close to 10 people has quit, 2 of them coming from my studio. I guess they were in for a culture shock from the first assignment (11 A1s, almost an impossible task, but was conquered by many).
Back to the question. Why the weird look? Ain’t Architecture students just like any other students in NUS? I know we are really busy people, but this course is a niche course, and like any other niche course, be it law, medicine or architecture, is bound to be busy. As George Orwell wrote,” all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than the others“, we can be simply said that “all NUS students are busy, but some NUS students are busier than the others“. I guess in the end its the passion within you that keeps you going.
I’ve seen people having different attitudes towards the course. Those who lack the willpower left readily. Some value social interaction and relaxation time more, and we see them leave as the days passes us by. What’s remaining are those with a childhood passion, those with a drive within them.
The look that I hope others are showing us is a look of respect. One that respects the passion within us, that respects the hard work and the time that we are dedicating to pursue our dream, one that respects the commitment to not only endure the sleepless nights, but to come up with new ideas day after day, to be able to see things in a different light. We may all look like zombies, especially on Mondays and Thursdays, but the sense of accomplishment is intoxicating.
I know I may not be the best student in the course, not even in the studio. I even stand a chance of being asked to leave at the end of semester 1, but does it all matter? I know I’ve put in my best effort for every exercise, and I will continue to work hard, and eventually to look back without any regrets.
To end, a personal favorite from the bible, 2 Timonthy 4:7 , “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (KJV) I know that at the end of my course, I am able to look back and reflect on it, and be proud. Can you?
