New students touring campus with peer mentors

“Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

This week, 450 new undergraduate and graduate students will meet with key staff members who will aid in their transition to Art Center, get to know peers, mingle with upper term students from various disciplines, receive insight from faculty members and have a chance to get acclimated to campus life through a networking gathering. This is Art Center orientation—expertly crafted and designed by the Center for the Student Experience (CSE) to prepare the entering class for success in their studies.

It is a week defined by securing ID cards and parking passes, touring the campus, eating, listening and observing. Everything planned this week will help the rookies succeed at Art Center. But one of the most important ways to prepare for what lies ahead is to listen to those who have done it. In the spirit of learning from others’ mistakes and successes, The Dotted Line gathered some nuggets of expert advice (solicited on Facebook from current and former students) for the newcomers among us:

• Make sure you truly love what you do.

• Meet as many people as you can during orientation! That means your new peers, your peer mentors, staff and faculty; basically anyone who is breathing and willing to say hi back.

• Talk to the people in CSE because they are there for you, the student. I call them the google of school just because they can give you answers and if not, they know where to point you.

• Be there because you want to be there. So enjoy it. Don’t let anything else matter except the work you create.

• Listen to understand, not to reply.

• Don’t be defensive about your work. Compliment often.

• Absorb everything you can. It’s YOUR education. You have the best at your disposal. Ask questions and be curious.

• Set up meetings with instructors and try to make personal connections.

• Get an internship/mentorship EARLY. Explore what your working life will be like in your field/major while you’re learning.

• Get to know your instructors because they’ll really help you through Art Center just like your friends.

• Make friends: I took that advice and ran to the moon and back and it is one of the best things I’ve done.

• Find a way to live as close to school as possible that is within your budget.

• The worst thing you can do at Art Center is say “I can do it tomorrow.” Never ever get behind—It’s IMPOSSIBLE to catch up at the pace classes go.

• Get started on work the same day. It doesn’t mean you have to finish it, but when you get back to it finishing won’t be a problem.

• Get enough sleep.

• Take advantage of the nap room when the school has it.

• Sleep is your friend; make sure you become best buds with it. Your life will be easier.

• Buy a sleep mask. Always have it at the ready.

• Getting away from school occasionally can be the best mental and physical break you can get.

• Take time to hang out with your friends.

• Don’t speed on Lida.

Welcome to Art Center College of Design. Classes start Saturday September 6^th—start making and creating!