No, My Classes Aren’t Easy Just Because They’re Creative
Handling subjectivity is easier said than done
By Rachael Dionisio
This is a common misconception meant to dig at those studying the arts. Specifically, at Boston University, COM majors are often the brunt of academic jokes. “They don’t do anything” or “They would die if they took general chemistry” are typical dialogues to sum up the constant criticism that creative majors face. The truth is that my advertising classes push me to my absolute limits, and I am eternally grateful for the skills and experiences I have gained from them.
To consider oneself right-brained, one must be intuitive, emotional, and imaginative. Right-brain thinkers see the world in a way left-brain thinkers can’t; they notice the big picture of a situation in a qualitative manner. Subjectivity is their best friend. On the flip side, STEM majors primarily work with facts and one-way answers.
My strategy classes require critical thinking and analytical reasoning to develop an insight into a specific demographic. I learn to effectively research industries, customer personas, and brands from the inside out in order to create strategic frameworks for campaigns. My copywriting classes push me to think outside the box and generate words that would resonate with massive audiences. I am constantly staring at a wall, waiting for the right tagline or brand partnership idea to fall into my lap. Although stimulating, being creative is immensely frustrating.
Rigor in an academic setting comes in all shapes and sizes. Just because a student can solve calculus equations or interpret physics formulas does not mean that their work is at a level of higher difficulty. Staying up until two in the morning to finish a computer science problem set is just as justifiable and likely as a COM major staying up to finish graphic design work for an out-of-home ad.
Considering the life skills outside the classroom I have gained from my classes, I can confidently conclude that the return on investment for creative majors is just as profitable as any other major. Tangible income does not define success in creative industries; watching your campaign grow wings and fly does. Aside from being able to whip up viral-worthy content, I have also learned how to juggle multiple personalities and think introspectively about any topic.
Creative classes are not just fun and games. I take pride in growing my passion and expanding my knowledge every day, which is an aspect that no student, no matter what major, can take away from me.
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