The 12th exams are just beginning to fade students who are seeking admission to Architecture are preparing for the NATA (National Aptitude Test of Architecture) test and next admissions process. Architecture education is not only about imaginative exploration, but also technological understanding that can make one's dream a reality. But the college curriculum and syllabus aren't the only factors that determine one's college experience.If you're studying, it means that you've either gotten you Architecture acceptance or you are determined to get one or you are the concerned parent of a potential Architect (what is the typical expectation of an aspiring parent is to be revealed soon). Whatever the case, here's an outline of what you can anticipate when entering that first year in Architecture.

Why only the first year you may ask; well because the first year will be the year to challenge you, shape you and expand your horizons. Till the first year of Architecture, most of us are used to a contrasting study pattern. We have textbooks to guide us, workbooks to allow us to practice and guides and model answer papers to tell us exactly how to attempt the subject of study for the most beneficial (higher marks) outcome. But Architectural education does not fit into any such structure. Design is subjective and sometimes intuitive and hence essentially has no fixed approach. You may have several better or worse ways of looking at the same problem at hand. The first year of Architectural education attempts to equip you to think in multiple, innovative and creative ways. So, for the first year break away from the fear of being WRONG.

Even if you have not achieved what you wanted to accomplish, you will have still learnt on the way. It is about learning from the PROCESS not just to focus on the outcome.

While your friends from other professional courses may have a set time to go to college and come back, you may start feeling that you probably live in your college. This is often due to group assignments, additional research work, site visits, seminars and workshops that are organized to add value to your learning curve. Architectural education has weightage not only for end of semester examinations but more importantly continuous evaluations and assignments. It is essential for the students to attempt these assignments and score well to ensure better grades. So while students in other disciplines can get away with focusing on their end semester, architectural students have to keep up their academic performance consistently.

As a newly admitted student, you look forward to designing. More specifically, as the name Architecture suggests, designing buildings; cozy homes, swanky offices and eclectic cafes. So when the teachers for the first few months talk to you about compositions in music, movies, art, dance, poetry, nature, fashion and more; one cant help but wonder if this is what you signed up for. Some of the work which you worked on through the night may get major improvement suggestions, but something that you put together in half an hour to complete the submission requirements, may win you much desired appreciation and accolades. If you have experienced and felt this; don’t fret. It is absolutely NORMAL.

As a newly admitted student, you look forward to designing. More specifically, as the name Architecture suggests, designing buildings; cozy homes, swanky offices and eclectic cafes. So when the teachers for the first few months talk to you about compositions in music, movies, art, dance, poetry, nature, fashion and more; one cant help but wonder if this is what you signed up for. Some of the work which you worked on through the night may get major improvement suggestions, but something that you put together in half an hour to complete the submission requirements, may win you much desired appreciation and accolades. If you have experienced and felt this; don’t fret. It is absolutely NORMAL.

One more aspect that makes Architectural education fun and unique are the site visits and study tours. So, from going on vacations with your parents and family, you will now visit various cities of Architectural interest with your faculty and classmates. These trips will not only inspire you with the work that you see done by Master architects but also will enhance your architectural observation and appreciation. Along with these tours each institute will offer various opportunities for participation in institute and national level competitions. Grab these opportunities and participate whenever you can. It will inspire you, push your boundaries and will lead to immense personal and academic growth.

Architectural education will be a myriad of experiences. So even though some days may not be the best, give it time and take a deep breath. Take a break, reach out to your friends or faculty, ideate or just vent. So, even though you may feel that your social circle outside of Architecture is dieing a slow death, be assured that by spending five years together, through all your academic and personal highs and lows; you are forming bonds with your classmates that are essentially LIFELONG.

For more information in our other Architecture and Interior Designing Courses, visit the following course details:

Undergraduate degree in Architecture (B.Arch),
Postgraduate degree in Architecture (M.Arch)
Undergraduate degree in Interior Design (B.Voc. in Interior Design),