Things I Wish I Knew (Freshman Edition)

"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you seem."

~ A.A. Milne, from "Winnie the Pooh"

Yo, Guys…

I’m about to start another year of college. Time is flying by! I'll start this Monday! Summer is drifting by! Is it just me, or do you also think this is so surreal? I hope all of you in school had a fruitful summer and you’re refreshed and ready for another year.

This is a blog that I’ve been excited to write about all summer.

I’ve been reflecting a lot. My freshman year certainly had many ups and downs. If I could tell my younger self anything, to make little Isabelle’s life a little easier, this blog is for her. I’m also writing this for the present Isabelle. To remind her of what she learned, so she may have a smoother journey this coming year. Only time will tell!

Whether you’re expecting new challenges or rewards, I pray this blog is also for you as it may encourage you and motivate you. In any case, may God bless you abundantly.

Here are my seven reflections. Just like my advice for my Senior High School Self, the reflections are not ranked according to importance. Yet, I’d love to give it a consistent theme, so I made the title of each reflection related to farming, leading to healthy growth.

# 1 ~ Sow Some Grace Every Day

Among all my reflections, this is the one I regretted the most. Especially after the Fall semester! By then, I thought I had everything figured out. The truth was: I was still a sapling. There was so much I had not yet grasped. My pride in thinking I knew everything crumbled my mental health. I learned that there was always more to learn. I became so picky and intolerant about my failures!

Once I think I know it all, another unraveling is sure to follow. Every crop may not grow as well as expected at some point. When this happens, sow grace. Grace reminds me to stay hungry to learn and not to be ashamed. Grace reminds me of patience in dry seasons. Grace reminds me to dust myself off and keep growing (trying).

# 2 ~ Don't Put All Eggs in One Basket

I was told this in middle school. I’m just now realizing its wisdom. Life is ever-changing and unpredictable. Quite often, this advice is geared towards making investments, which is why I didn’t pay much attention earlier. I’ve later found that this quote can apply beyond finance. Heartbreak is a real pain. Although best friends are the greatest treasures of all to keep, expanding my network may not be a bad thing. Talents are also investments. Spread myself out. The more I learn, the better I’ll be able to cope with stressful situations. I’ve also found cooking to be a great way to reinforce my love for art. Although one basket may be more sentimental or precious, I shouldn't neglect all the resources at my disposal. To add on, know each basket’s strength and capacity.

Beef Pot Roast and Pâté

# 3 ~ Fertilize with Integrity

The feeling that I’m the only one doing the right thing may seem discouraging, yet doing the right thing is the best fertilizer for long-term growth. When I first tried to get my perspective correct in my drawings, I had to watch my vanishing points, drive to campus to draw still life objects (making sure to draw internal shapes first), and observe from life, resisting the temptation to draw for the result and/or from reference photos.

When I spent hours and days drawing the objects in the classroom alone, I couldn’t resist thinking whether it was worth it. The truth is, fertilizing good habits with honesty was well worth it. Neglecting foundations is an easy “fix”, but it will kill long-term growth.

If I want to truly become the best I can be, I must be honest with myself and nurture good habits. My art may look bad for a while, but I’m learning and improving. Now, I've found it fun to draw because I’ve nailed the basics. Before I knew it, fertilization had brought me fruits to enjoy.

# 4 ~ Take Advice from Good Farmers

My mom calls me her “Baby Stubborn” or “Naughty Little Monkey” sometimes. Happened to be consistent with a "farming theme," sometimes she goes further to call me a tough turnip that refuses to get pulled, haha. Some may find it hard to believe, but I can be like that.

Sometimes, as an artist, I feel that the ability to create new things gives me a false impression that I’m always right in art. This is more so as art is subjective. But there are a few absolutes in art, as well as things I don’t always catch. If I’m more honest, there’s always more to learn. Plus, there are always people further down the road than me. This is why I love my professors and highly encourage all to listen to them to get smarter. (Mommy, I’m not forgetting about you, haha. Love you, too! Xoxo, your Baby Stubby Turnip!)

Learning to listen was one of the best things I did when I started seeking art seriously. My professors were there to help me. Since they have more insight and wisdom, I’ve found that the more I listened, the more I improved. (You may agree with me when you see my work throughout college!) Like Newton said, we need to stand on the shoulders of giants to see further. My giants are God, my mom, my professors, classmates, and friends. (Bonus: Talk to upperclassmen and get in career services! I’ve got so many tips and tricks!)

# 5 ~ Harvest Timelines are Friends

My former professor for 2D Design, Vladimir Stanishevskii, told me this: “Deadlines are your best friends.” I got my first A caliber assignment in his class. He’s a strict professor, but he’s guaranteed to make you grow. Aside, he’s a loving husband and father, and a great Christian friend. (Plus, he's amazing at what he does! ^^ Check out his thesis here!)

I was shocked at first by his advice, and how I wish I had known this advice sooner! “Deadlines,” he explained, “force you to get things over; they prevent you from overworking or procrastinating. It also means your day of freedom.”

Haha, I guess deadlines aren’t that bad after all. Deadlines also let me move on to grow new crops and prepare for new harvests!

Here are some assignments I hated - but thanks to deadlines, I was forced to "get them over."

Guess what?

I not only passed the assignment, but I also passed the class!

# 6 ~ Harvest Does NOT Only Depend on the Number of Fields I Owe

Looming deadlines, projects that make me scream and cry, nail-biter critique sessions…college stresses just never end, right? Indeed, the stressors just keep coming. In times like these, especially with (in)direct competition from classmates, it’s tempting to think my fields (or art skills) aren’t enough. Or my crops grow too slowly. Or I don’t have all it takes to harvest any.

The truth is that we may just have enough fields (amazing art projects), the question is whether I’m maintaining my fields (skills) to be productive? Have I allowed some to be overtaken by weeds (procrastination, jealousy, negative thoughts, etc.)? Am I being generous with the fruits (knowledge) to help another farmer (friend/classmate)? Slow down.

What matters may not be simply how much I have but how I’m managing what I have. It’s not only how many fruits I have, but also how much I am using them to help others. Slow down: it’s not the quantity, but the quality.

# 7 ~ Remember My True Farmer, the Farmer's Farmer

This is a personal one that I’m still learning daily. Who is the farmer of my life? Who is the author of my life? Is it me? For me, I’d rather have God lead my life.

Being a Christian, one of the things that touches me the most is that God knows me the best. But it doesn’t end there. He knows my life, and He has a plan for me, and even more, He loves me! I will go through tribulations and suffering (I can be doomed by regrets, for example!), but He will embrace me and hold me tight. Nothing surprises Him, rain or shine. He celebrates with me under radiant sunshine and holds my tears in a bottle under heavy rain (Psalm 56:8). If I know His love, what do I fear? If He cares so much about me, He’ll carry me through and lead me. He’s not only a true farmer, He’s the perfect farmer. He knows when to give water, when to fertilize, and when to trim. So, I can rest and do what I can, knowing He’s got my back and takes me Just as I am.

I’d love to put together a slideshow of my summer highlights to conclude this blog. As we step into the unknown again and into new adventures (no sugarcoating, more stressors too), I pray for us all that… whatever happens, rain or shine, we will remember that we’re growing. Much more than we ever think we will. Soak up the sun and enjoy the breezes. When storms hit to test our roots, remember they will pass. Even though life has challenges, we can still learn to dance (and maybe sing) in the rain.

I wish you all a wonderful Fall semester in advance! ^^

Till Next Time,

Isabelle

"Some kids are smarter than you, some kids have cooler clothes than you, some kids are better at sports than you. It doesn't matter! You have your thing too. Be the kid who can get along. Be the kid who is generous. Be the kind who is happy for other people. Be the kid who does the right thing. Be the nice kid." ~ Bryan Scavnak