NETWORKING

Creating a network.

Today we used the mind maps of the present such as our studies and personal life as well as our dreams and aspirations to create a network between us all. I discovered that there were so many different dreams and goals within the class yet so many links such as some wanting to study photography and film like myself as well as keeping fit and actually completing the course. It gave me an understanding of what my fellow class mates are capable of and what they wish to learn more about, which means that we can help one another – Catherine can sew, so if I fancied making a dress I could go to her, Robert studied photography, so if I required some advice I can go to him and so on. It also made me realise just how much more I want to get out of this course, I really did struggle to come up with words for my mind map until I seen the rest of them – which flooded my head with ideas.

Throughout this exercise I felt that the whole class were getting to know one another again, it was a case of “Who wants to do fashion?” “Oh, I didn’t know you want to do that, that’s fantastic” as well as unearthing several hidden talents, jobs and goals. I just hope this allows the lecturers to also understand what we all want to do. None of us are the same, especially as we are art students (the craziest, wackiest, most individual type of students) and that we don’t expect a workshop in each of our ‘areas of interest’ we merely expect help and guidance on how to find those who can dedicate time to teaching us new and more professional techniques.

Overall I hated the first part as I was lost for words (about MY OWN future – crazy) but when we made the connections I seen the positive in the exercise, possibly not the same as anyone else but I genuinely feel I have learned a lot more about my classmates and their hidden talents and that I would love to both give and receive advise from everyone throughout my course.

My own mind map.