Reflection on Year One, and Ambition for Year Two

The first year of Game Art has come and gone and the second year is now in full swing. This year is different for various reasons, in both learning environment and goals.

I found first year to be quite the learning experience not just for skills but for finding out how I work best. It was of course finding out the hard way, but it was worth a lot. The main flaw with my work ethic last year was the complete lack of structure. I was too keen to take advantage of the independence I’d been presented with and simply thought that as long as I got the work done, I had nothing to worry about. Now this sounds fine, it sounds like it would force me to finish things quickly and possibly leave time for fun at the end of the week, but really, my self-discipline is not nearly strong enough to work solidly without any visible end. There is no reward in sitting around procrastinating when you can’t force yourself to work anymore, and not doing anything you actually find fun as you don’t feel you deserve it yet. I tried to use the stress of deadlines as motivation but working until stupid-o’clock in the morning really wasn’t doing any favours for my general wellbeing.

I knew that being in a more work-oriented environment would help me to focus more, but I was reluctant to use the labs when there were so many other people in there, especially when scheduled lessons were going on. I also, of course, would need to get there at a decent time every day if I wanted to get a lot done as they closed at 7pm.

The biggest difference this year is the new labs, which give us much more space and stay open later, making regular use a far more viable option. There is always at least one room without a scheduled class so there is definitely enough space for most of us, though of course not everyone. This is where structure and time-management will be important- the only way to ensure a place in the lab is to arrive earlier than most, especially when deadlines loom and everyone wants to be in.

So far I am managing to stick to a good routine this year, although weekends end up being very much lacking in productivity as the labs are shut then. It’s reaching the point where I feel lost when given too much free time at home(not that that happens a lot) whether  that’s a good thing or not I have yet to decide!

As for the actual skills we are learning this year, it is going to be quite hard working to less constricted briefs as I worry a lot about the possibility of doing things wrong. I want to get better at finishing projects well and on time and I want to produce work that shows I have made progress. Small, hopefully achievable goals; another important lesson from last year- don’t allow yourself to lose hope.