When to Quit Architecture

[ap]

I am an architecture graduate who didn't "let go". I've thought of giving up architecture since my 3rd year when I started to be a "bad" student. I always was a top of the class student up untill that point. I ended up graduating 2 years later than normal and was miserable during the whole thing. I loved some parts of architecture and was good at this things (such as drawing, the history of art and architecture, composition, anything art and graphic related) but every time I thought about actually building buildings, I got a sick feeling in my stomach. I don't know if it was anxiety (still is though) or that I really feel I should not do this. I remained in architecture because of this doubt and because I wasn't sure what else to do. Anyway, I started working for a while and it wasn't bad. I enjoyed it more than school. And weirdly, I enjoy stuff that other architects say it's boring, such as preparing and writing documents. I like it when I do down to earth activities. Or maybe I like them because I hate the pressure and stress of making a "world class" design and be a "top" architect. Sorry for the long post...

[alicederry]

If there is something I learned after a year of architecture (I let go) is that it's a career for the passionate

[pomum]

I wish I had let go 10 years ago. Now I’m close to 30, and no idea abt what to switch my career to. In Uni every year I hoped it would get better that perhaps next year I would like it more. Then I thought it was gonna get better when I started working and it never did.
After 3 years working for the largest American architecture firm, I feel stuck, frustrated & hopeless with no idea of how to move on.
So my advice, as soon as you feel inadequate and unfulfilled... LEAVE! it won’t get better

[saraa]

I can totally relate to the architecture grads. We started around 200 and ended up with 30 people. I was about to quit but here i am doing my masters while i completely fell in love with the degree and everything about it, beside all the negative comments etc.
At first i barely could pass my assignments, failed some and had to resubmit. But since my 3rd yr I understood the degree and improved magnificently in my grades(50 to 74-80).
IF YOU LOVE IT DONT GUVE UP.

[leannedabrowski]

I've watched your videos for a long time now - basically since I began my architecture school journey. I really needed this video as of lately and you really helped me to sort some things out and understand that it's normal to feel the way I'm feeling. Thanks very much Drew for making me remember why I so badly want to become an architect. Keep on making videos to get me through the 'bad review' days!

[gilerolero]

Today, friday i just decided to quit the carer, it's too hard to say this, I just invested one and a half year, a and I just realized that I was forcing my self to like the carer! I'm feeling very disappointed a little depressing but I know I just can't continue with it! :(

[arselamallick]

your advice is so genuine and helpful. Your perspective on the difference between giving up and letting go is so important and rare to hear. As you said that and said that you knew people that knew architecture wasn't for them but still stuck with it really resonates with me. Not just because I personally feel that architecture isn't really for me and I am just trying to push through for the sake of it, but I know others older than me who also feel the same way. I also know people that graduated from Arch and ended up changing fields after graduation (which is my biggest fear and something I definitely think I would do if I stick with this major). The truth is, I am truly not passionate about this. I realized after doing this for a year that I like the creative aspect of it but not the design. I also crave human connection with everything I do, so for me to stare at Rhino and plans and sections and linetypes all day gives me anxiety just thinking about it. I know that in the future, the job of an architect involves people, but it is still not the biggest aspect of the job. My family is a huge pressure on me all the time, and yes, although I wouldn't necessarily be "giving up" on architecture, I would definitely be to a certain extent to my parents, family, friends, etc. I know that shouldn't matter, but it really does. I am scared of this huge risk to take to drop the program and degree. I just hope I am happy in the future. Thank you so much for this video!

[SoccerLover]

That's is some great advice from you mom. My first review was awful and I thought about dropping out but I really enjoy the success.
It's awesome to see other architecture students on YouTube! To see that the struggles we are going through we all go through!

[SwampBambiiX]

I'm only in my first semester. Architecture definitely doesn't feel right for me. However, it's something that feels just right for my dad. I let him dictate my choice in career, so I pretended im actually into architecture too. Constantly followed by the need to live up others' expectations. If i keep going, i don't think I would be able to stick with it through and through. I have no passion, no drive in it. I was disillusioned by, mainly, the arts, and the glamorous lifestyle, recognition, or salary that goes with it. It does deal with art, but it's not the kind of art I wish to explore. I was told to wake up and be realistic, as if art majors don't really have a chance in life. I'm not a bad student at all. I worked hard to achieve the grades i want and was actually interested to learn. Already felt iffy choosing this major, it feels dreadful now that I'm in it. I don't think my dad will ever come around me choosing to major in art, but i truly don't want to devote all my time, energy, and money in something i won't enjoy doing in the long run. It's just not right for me. It's difficult to show my parents i can make money out of art too, as the courses for architecture are rigorous and leaves no room for me to develop a side art portfolio. Not sure how i can gain his understanding (?)

[mikeybhoy]

Just finished Masters - completed something I didn't think I was capable of doing. Let me just say... It ain't gonna get any easier. Throughout the years I was THIS close to just throwing in the towel and saying "screw this, I'm not putting up with this shit any longer" only to find out I don't know what it is that I want. Architecture is not for people who are seeking for quick gratification - it is a VERY long journey and you'll learn about yourself more and more. I'd say Architecture didn't make me smarter, it made me, along with others, a hell of a lot wiser.

I'd say only quit if you have a clear path on what to do next and ACT on it - rather than complain about it and do nothing. If you can persevere through the course, there's an internal strength that you'll develop - almost like a survival instinct - that most people studying in other subjects cannot obtain - at least I haven't seen it yet. That is respectable. So the question is, do you know what you want? If you can find the answer to that - only then do you quit.

That's my point of view for any junior architects :)

[riccia]

Architecture is a marathon not a sprint

[bellerosa]

I'm currently in my second year. And right now this is literally killing me everyday, I only chose because its what my family had always been telling me to get and grew to actually think it was for me. But when I got there, I thought like why am I even doing this. I'm already trying to make a process to shift courses.

[wbocmyf]

THANK U, if been a week feeling down... but now I feel less lonely

[pocavida]

I’m here because I’m currently on my first year and I’m having the doubt of “should I quit” like if I want to this is the right time!!!! Like I’m only 19 yrs and I think later will be too late. I love architecture and I’m so passionate about the art part. I really enjoy making models while I’m listening to music o draw my plans, all the studio part. But when it comes to subjects that includes physics or construction I panicked, I simply don’t enjoy it and I’m not good at it. When I said this out loud people tell me, it doesn’t matter the major you take you’ll always have subjects where you suck at it, but idk I feel like all the structure related subjects and construction are literally the 70% of the career and architecture life. So, I feel like I’m wasting my energy and lately I’ve been feeling so emotionally and physically exhausted. Because, I see how my classmates are so good effortlessly and I put all my effort, kill myself studying and anyway I still struggle. That’s why I think I should quit and choose a path where I can success while putting on all my potential. I wanted to pursue a fashion design career but architecture felt like a more safe choice. So my first thought was, I will study architecture have my diploma and later go the fashion industry, just like some designers. But right now I’m feeling too overwhelmed and overthinking everything. That’s literally why I was watching this video and I still don’t know what to do :(
I don’t wanna feel like a failure, I love architecture but I think it is more than just love.
(Sorry if something it’s not grammatically correct, English it’s not my first language)

[raissacosta]

I want to thank you, your video helped a lot, I failed one of my classes, and was wondering if I was doing the right thing, staying. And watching this video made me realize, that I have those little/small victories, along the way. I probably won't have my name on a skyscraper somewhere, but I love designing houses and more detailed projects. Six more months inside, may be worth it, for the long run.

[madisonnicole]

Just started my Master of Architecture after getting an interior design degree (which I loved) and I'm so miserable. My parents wanted me to get the degree so badly and I felt like it was the only way I would be "successful" I finally decided to quit and it's the most liberating and freeing feeling. Literally my mental health was taking SUCH a toll. I knew I was never going to be an architect within the first week of classes, I stuck with it through two project to see if the passion would come to me, nope I'm happy to quit lol

[RachelGLive]

my class started with around 80 student, and by 4th year, it was 6 students. I believe only 3 of us got our degree, and I am the only one with an architectural job ... It's a tough path.

[caitlynkimura]

t's only the second month of my first year of architecture. Glad I found this. I'm frustrated because I love my major so much but for the last three projects my presentations have always been one of the weakest. It's hard because I pull all nighters in the studio for two weeks then present in front of 90 students only to have one of the weakest projects. It's not that I dislike my major at all. I'm starting to worry I'll graduate and not be able to compete with the other talented architects for jobs or projects. Was there anything that strengthened your work?

[arladacumos]

This really helps me ...I am planning to take architecture because I really love drafting, arts,creativity, designs but I have this doubt and fear because I am not kinda smart or genius 😭😭and i only have is determination... so I decided to advance myself and get ready because I WANT ARCHITECTURE 💪💪

- grd9 student from Philippines
pls make more video. Thank you Sir

[beenay]

I studied civil engineering but I always wished if I could do what Architecture students were doing. Oh! I just loved Arts so much which I never got to do as civil engineering student. I also thought about going to architecture department and take architecture classes in addition to civil engineering classes. I'm not confident about it but I think I might have also enjoyed computer engineering if I had got chance to study it as I know now its also an art, a creative process of making applicatons/softwares whatever they call it. I needed something creative to study I guess.

But I never knew what I really want to do or study in life. I would do whatever my dad would tell me to do. Once my dad wanted to put me into automobile engineering, I was ready. But later he wanted to put me into civil engineering but I wasn't much impressed as I thought I want to make fancy things and really go techno but civil engineering seemed way too mundane and boring. But somehow I found my way into architectural design and I ended up being good at design.