*Reposted from April 4, 2023*

Student Work Management

You unfortunately just read that title, yes, this is what I am juggling at the moment. Notice how I didn’t say ‘have to’ juggle. I chose to do this. I believe knowing how to utilize your time in a way that allows living in a manner where you can support yourself without going insane, is a skill we all need to develop in life. I just figured to turn it up on hard mode at age 21.

Being a full time student at a City University in New York (Hunter College) is the coolest thing in the world to me. I’ve always wanted to study art in such a magnificently diverse city that celebrates art on every corner. Artwork specifically for classes takes up about 50% of what I produce.

My class schedule takes up about 22 hours of my week, including transportation time. My commute to school is thankfully only 30 mins if I walk or take the bus. A simple way I allow myself to work on my art money mindset during the commute minutes, is listening to inspiring podcasts. My all time favorite one is The Artist Academy Podcast by Andrea Ehrhardt. She interviews artists from all over the United States that earn a living by doing what they love. This helps to set my mind in the right place when I’m on the go.

Besides this, I use my planner a lot to hand write my assignment due dates, which stagger with my personal project due date goals so I don’t get too overwhelmed. Having a physical planner helps beyond measure for students, especially if you’re a visual learner like me.

Thankfully I’ll be graduating with my BA in Studio Art, so I don’t have to have this third element in there much longer. Yay, more time to create!

Working & Money Management

It’s important to have income sources that you can be flexible with as both an artist and a student. This is why I work in the restaurant industry as a server, as I have been since I was 17. This job teaches me the value of hard work, how to multitask, and how to maximize a unfixed income which depends upon how much I sell. Basically, you have to force yourself to be a girl boss in this setting. 

I’ve came to this realization the other day, that this job totally links with my art entrepreneurship. It also allows me to communicate with people of all ranges, establish relationships, and sometimes even network. So far, I’ve gotten custom commission jobs, print orders, and sold an original painting in the gift shop of my current restaurant location.

I work anywhere from 15-25 hours a week. This on top of my school hours= a bucket load of my art making hours vanishing into thin air, poof.

However, one of the most expensive cities in the world says too bad. This leads me into managing the thing I need most, art time.

After all, any job that assists in my near future goal to be an independent working artist, is a job I like. Thank you to those 20% tippers, I especially like you. 

Working for my Art Management

Last and surely not least, managing time to make art for personal purposes has been the thing that teaches me how to form discipline most. Oh yeah, and by being a part time working artist, there’s also the content creation, marketing, custom commission orders, business research, and occasional art events that need to be taken care of.

This is when I go, "time to brew the coffee."

Having the want and action are two different things. Don’t get me wrong, okay to take breaks, plan, & dream. BUT, action here is the ultimate key to progress.

You know what they say, action speaks louder than words.

If you are an aspiring creative, you have to jump on opportunities, or even better CREATE them! Its the only way you will reach your goals. 

Right now, to manage my time, I have a social media uploading schedule, make art for a minimum of an hour a day, and utilize on the go activities as much as I can. 

I hope sharing my personal schedule and management tips help you. I also want your ideas... Please leave a comment below letting me know your biggest time management tip!

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