Tufts Blogs

To be honest, my first year at SMFA at Tufts was a bumpy road. I laughed a lot, cried a lot, but most importantly, I learned countless important life lessons. For me, college was a place where the “hometown version” of me encountered all different kinds of people, ideals, and lifestyles, and transformed into the true form of myself. I can undoubtedly say that the first year I spent at Tufts was one of the best experiences in my life. However, I had to go through a number of trials and errors, too. Here’s some advice I want to give you so you can be prepared for that transition to college life:

Set your own goals and stick to them. SMFA has an incredibly diverse community, and it will make your first year so fun and exciting. You will meet so many different people from different cultures and backgrounds. However, this also means that you’re going to be spending a large amount of your daily life with people who have different lifestyles than you. The first challenge I faced when I first came to college was completing all my schoolwork without getting distracted by my friends’ schedules. At SMFA, your art practice is something you need to manage your time for and put a lot of effort into in order to see the outcome you want. Managing your time and staying responsible for your projects and homework might seem relatively easy, but it’s one of the most essential things in your college life if you want to get the full advantage of your time at college. One tip is to make homework time your hangout time – with open studio access and lots of opportunity for collaboration, you and your friends can spend time together while working on your art.

Manage money wisely. One thing I learned from my first year at college was that, with so many people from different cultures and backgrounds, everyone’s way of spending money is completely different. As a first-year BFA student, I lived in the iconic Beacon Street residence halls. Living on Beacon Street was one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life, but you definitely need to be careful with spending your money. It’s so easy to get around the city since the train stops right across from your residence hall, meaning that it’s also so easy to spend your money wherever you go. As a SMFA student, you and your friends will probably get many more opportunities to explore the city, but always make sure that you’re in good control of your spending. A good compromise is to find free activities in the city, like First Friday gallery openings at SoWA or picnics in the Public Garden.

Always prioritize mental health. Transitioning to college can be a difficult process. My first semester at college was challenging because I was unprepared for the amount of change. New people will bring new aspects to your life, new professors will bring new aspects to your art-making process, and the new lifestyle will bring new aspects to who you are as an independent being. These changes can sometimes freak you out. However, you always need to prioritize your mental health and make sure you’re not being too hard on yourself. Even when you’re not doing your best, you will always have people to reach out. One of my studio professors recognized my mental health issues in one of the writing assignments, and helped me find resources on campus. It’s not easy to reach out when you’re in an unhealthy mental state. However, you will realize how your community at SMFA is always there for you to support and encourage you. 

Your first year at SMFA will give you the best memories ever. I met some of the greatest people during my first year and created the most precious memories with them. The experience will be different for everyone, including you and me, but always remember that the most important thing is always your happiness. SMFA is the perfect place for you to flourish in the best moments of your college life. I wish you luck!