Triboro News

Now that Week 4 is behind us and the chaos of midterms has finally settled, you probably have a lot of time on your hands to relax and rejuvenate. Sorry, that was a cruel joke--chances are your workload is just as heavy this week it won’t be slowing down anytime soon. Still, self care is imperative for staying mentally sharp and motivated, especially during periods of intense stress. So how can you care for yourself while keeping up with your responsibilities and assignments?

Here are a few of my favorite ways to squeeze in self care:

• Take your homework outside. Do you have readings to do this week? Writing assignments to plan or draft? Studio projects to sketch? Instead of completing these tasks indoors, try taking them outside and if possible, away from your computer. Bring printed readings and/or your sketchbook to the park, a coffee shop with a patio, or even your own backyard. I do this often and I’m always surprised by how much more productive and creative I am when I work in a beautiful outdoor setting rather than my office. There’s nothing better than checking items off your to-do list while you’re catching some rays!
• Video chat with family or friends. Socializing might seem like a waste of time when you’re busy, but research shows that it’s vital for keeping your mind healthy and stress at bay. I try to identify 15-minute pockets of time in my week, like my afternoon coffee breaks, for quick chats with my parents and friends. It’s an easy way to reset my brain that, in the grander scheme of my day, doesn’t eat up much time.
• Cook a nice meal. I know, I know--eating regular meals, especially ones you’ve cooked yourself, can feel impossible when you’re drowning in homework. Cooking doesn’t have to take a long time, though! The New York Times cooking page is full of healthy, delicious meals that take under 30 minutes to make (tip: filter recipes by “weekday”). If you’re really short on time, you can throw veggies, broth, and a protein in a crockpot and let dinner cook itself while you work. Bonus points if you double the recipe and freeze the leftovers for later!
• Make some time for activities you enjoy. Breaks are essential for avoiding burnout and maintaining productivity. Make sure you carve out time for activities that you genuinely care about, whether that means playing video games, exercising, or scrolling mindlessly on Reddit. If you’re busy, the key is planning your breaks in advance and sticking to the amount of time you’ve allotted. You might dance around the house for 20 minutes after writing ½ of your paper (that’s what I do, anyway), or watch an episode of your favorite show after completing a drawing exercise. 
• Stock up on fun beverages. Maybe that’s a new flavor of tea, your favorite kombucha, or the coffee blend you love that’s a little too pricey to brew all the time. When I have a lot on my plate, I personally like to stock up LaCroix and drink them in (frighteningly) quick succession. Fun beverages are a simple way to elevate whatever it is you have to do. It’s the little things that make us happy, right?

Also remember that RMCAD runs plenty of virtual events, including yoga for mindfulness, throughout the term. If you do have some time on your hands, be sure to check them out and connect with fellow students!

It may seem unlikely in an art school, but RMCAD has plenty of research tools for business content/information/articles. Many of you will someday own your own studio or business, so you might as well start the research when you are a student. 

When you view the database list in your Student Portal, you can see Ebscohost (Main page). When you click on that, rather than choosing all databases, choose “Business Source Premier” by itself. This will provide easier access to market reports, industry profiles, and SWOT Analyses. A SWOT analysis (strengths, weakness, opportunities, threats)  is a great place to learn about companies you might want to work for. 

Another place to look for business trends is WGSN. While primarily used by fashion students, WGSN has content for many departments. Interested in color or consumer trends?  Check out the “Macro Forecast” reports. 

RMCAD also offers LinkedIn Learning for more instruction. If you don’t have your account set up yet, make sure to contact IT. LinkedIn Learning has a couple hundred videos on entrepreneurship, including ones about perfecting your elevator pitch to investors. 

If you start learning business research as a student, it will be easier to hit the ground running when you are not a student. The library and SLC can help you do that research and, as always, Career and Alumni Services is available to help you get ready for your future career. 

by Katharine Novak

Being creative because you have to be, rather than because you want to be is part of the gig.

With only 8 weeks in a term you hardly have time to think about how to execute a project. Sometimes it’s hard to get started. What if the topic is not interesting? Is the time worth the grade?  But sometimes you still have to. What happens when you have 6 months on a project? Does more time make it easier, not likely.

I am struggling with this right now. I pitched an essay series to a magazine that loved the idea. That’s exciting, right? I also picked a subject that I love and have plenty to talk about. But then the idea of a deadline set in.What was supposed to be a great pro-bono opportunity to get my writing out there is now daunting. The idea of something is much easier than doing it. I had 6 weeks to write 1,000 words, give or take, and that turned into a 7 part essay that has taken me about 8 weeks so far, and I’m only on part 4 of the series. The struggle is real my friends.

Always turn in what you’ve got, even if it’s not finished or up to your, or the clients, standards and be open about your struggles and expectations going forward. Some show of effort is better than nothing.

Quick tips:

1. Have clear expectations going into any project.

2. Set realistic goals for yourself

3. Find fun places to set up your work area if possible to create a new environment that doesn’t feel like work.

4. Remember that creating is not always about you. Who is the client? While right now it is probably an instructor, in the big wide world outside of RMCAD you still have guidelines, deadlines and are graded on your time management, social interactions and budget analysis, not just your skill.