Architecture is a cool profession. You get to create meaningful designs and structures, and watch them come to life. On top of that, according to Indeed, architects earn $104,131 per year on average in the U.S. Thus, not only is it a cool profession, but it also pays well.
That being said, the route to becoming an architect is not as rosy. Architecture is one of the most difficult subjects out there, and only those who have studied it can relate to this.
Having said all that, here are a few things one can expect as an architecture student.
1. Your Sleep Routine Will Get Messed Up
According to WebMD, young adults need seven to nine hours of sleep every day. Talking to an architecture student, however, will reveal that they’re barely sleeping five or six hours a day. This is a pretty standard practice amongst the students of this subject.
It's normal to feel very tired during your first few semesters as an architecture major. You'll be taking on a lot of new information, and it's all going to require some mental gymnastics.
The only thing you can really do about this is to make sure that you're using good sleep hygiene. That means keeping your room dark and cool, not using your phone or laptop in bed, and getting up at the same time every day, so your body learns to associate sleep with those hours.
2. You Have to Tackle a lot of Assignments and Projects
As a student in the architecture program, you will be responsible for completing several theoretical and practical assignments and projects simultaneously. You will spend a lot of time working on these tasks, but they will also help prepare you for the real-world work that lies ahead.
This can be quite challenging as you will have to work hard to balance your time effectively to meet all deadlines. However, if you can manage your time properly, it will not be difficult for you to complete all tasks on time.
If you need, you should consider getting help with your architecture assignments. There are various assignment writing services out there, but they won’t do you any good. Look for professional architecture tutors online who are not just familiar with architecture concepts but can also help you write a plagiarism-free report with their assignment assistance services.
Professional online architecture tutors are well-versed in a lot of different architecture topics, including modern architecture, early Roman architecture, early Greek architecture, etc. They can easily help you with your theoretical assignments.
3. You’ll Have to Spend a lot of Money on Your Scale Models
According to the College Tuition Compare website, studying architecture in the U.S. costs $10,106 for in-state students and $32,200 for out-of-state students. On top of these high fees, students also have to invest in a lot of other stuff for their scale models. These include spending money on materials, printing, 3D printing, and so on.
As an architecture student, you’ll be required to make several scale models. These models are typically made out of paper and cardboard. You can buy them from the campus bookstore or from online retailers. It's also up to you whether or not you want to use your own materials or purchase new ones.
The cost of these models varies, depending on the type of material used in their creation. If you choose to buy your own materials, expect to spend anywhere between $100-$200 per model, depending on how elaborate it is. If you decide against this option and instead opt for an off-the-shelf solution, expect to spend around $50-$100 per model, depending on what type of material you choose.
4. You’ll Find Yourself in a lot of Group Projects
You’ll find yourself in a lot of group projects. This is because architecture is a highly collaborative field, and the best way to learn is to do it with others. You may be working with classmates or professors, but either way, you should be able to get something out of the experience.
Group projects are a huge part of architecture school. It's important to learn how to work with your peers, and it's also important that you learn how to manage a project.
You'll have opportunities for group projects in all kinds of different classes. Some examples include city planning, architectural history and theory, and architectural design competitions.
5. You Might Want to Quit Architecture at Any One Point
The path to becoming an architect is not easy. It's a lot of work and requires you to be committed to your studies, as well as your personal life. That's why it's important that you stay focused on what matters most, and that is your education.
There are many reasons why an architecture student might want to quit their program. From the stress of schoolwork and exams to the financial burden of paying for tuition and living expenses while working part-time jobs, a lot is going on in the lives of architecture students. All these can make it difficult for them to focus on their studies.
Despite all this stress and pressure, architecture students should remember that they are doing something truly amazing by pursuing this degree and that they will eventually reap the benefits from their hard work.
