In architecture, you are constantly criticized. This is one of the downsides of the major as it can really affect your mental state. A lot of times, students find themselves producing a lot of work boiling down to a 10 minute presentation in a final review. After the presentation, the project can be roasted for about 25 minutes straight. Simply put, it hurts! It hurts a lot! You put blood, sweat, and tears into your final project and the review jury just really attacks it sometimes. But, this video is created to help you handle criticism!
In the major you will get criticized a lot. And on my YouTube channel before, I have pointed out this is a part of the world of architecture that can be challenging to handle. When I first got roasted, it hurt my feelings a lot, as I firmly believed that they did not understand my project, but now that I am looking back on it, I think the critique on the project was actually really gentle. So, from then on, I would always say in a middle of a review, “It is not personal.”
Reacting to constructive criticism negatively will only hinder your growth and you will become really discouraged in the major and possibly even drop out! So here is a sort list of things you can personal do to better handle criticism:
Be Aware
Taking things personally is actually a fear response. This occurs when your person labels situations as a threatening one. You are presenting a project in front of others, and your ego or identity is really put out there publicly.
Your initial reaction is a hard one to control. But, whenever I witness a review and the student argues with the jury, chances are you will lose that argument.
The jury has years if not decades more experience than a freshman in college
It is understandable why you get defensive for a project, but in the moment please be aware
Be aware of your initial reaction. Before your emotions let you spin out of control, really understand that the jury is not there to attack you. The jury is there to make you think about your project differently
Keep an Open Mind
Like the first point, stay engaged throughout the entire review. Understand that the jury is there spending their time looking with a fresh, critical eye at your project.
When a person finishes giving feedback on your architecture project, be sure to express some gratitude for sharing their expertise
Hear the Feedback Differently
Your frame of mind really influences how you perceive any situation
So, if you re-frame how you take feedback from the jury, that is when your projects develop more and more.
Ask yourself at the end of a review, what did you take away.
College is the time to experiment and explore, and it is okay if you fail. It is actually better that you do fail - because that is the best way you can learn.
Write It Down & Process Later
After you present write everything down. You can even ask a friend to write down notes while you are presenting
But write it down. After a review, what I like doing is processing. So, how I do that is I will take the night off. Clean up my workspace, shower, sleep, eat a good meal and so on. But within the following days, I will refer to these notes.
This reflection time really allows you to digest what was said, have a more positive reaction to your experience, and have a beautiful opportunity for growth in the major.
Embrace It
Criticism presents a new point of view .
The biggest takeaway here is that you can take something away from this situation. You can learn something new and see something in a new light.
Understand that constructive criticism really is just there to help you better improve as an architecture student. Even if you don’t study architecture, learning how to embrace CC is essential. And I think when you learn to let go of that emotional connection to your personal projects is when you will see the most growth in school!
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