It’s odd looking back and thinking how I wish I didn’t make that mistake but I really can’t imagine having enough good sense to avoid that mistake either. It makes one contemplate fate.

Well, one story of “if I knew then what I know now” involves me choosing a high school to attend. Back then, I thought I would grow up to be an architect because those guys draw and make good money. So I chose a school that had a good reputation for their academics. But in grade 10 (my freshman year) I fell in love with drawing comics and thought that my career would be found next to Jim Lee and Todd McFarlane.

As much as my high school excelled in academics, they really lacked in their art department. The art teacher was really a music teacher and was just there to hand out easy ‘A’s.

When I applied to an illustration focus in college, my portfolio was summarily rejected because I didn’t demonstrate enough range in my submission. I blame the art teacher but I have to accept some of the blame too. I had a classmate who pursued independent study during art class and she developed an excellent portfolio and was accepted into that same college. I was just too immature to do the same thing.

😛

Thanks, Tony! I’m hoping I can loosen up a bit after I do a few of these.

I always wish that I could go back in time and guide my younger self onto a better path. Unfortunately, one of my big regrets is having never perfected my time machine. Irony…

Oh yeah? Anything you’d be interested in sharing?

Thanks so much, Nayr! That means a lot to us!

Regarding college, I really can’t stress enough that you should do something that you love. Also, keep an open mind about alternatives to college. In the US, we’ve been conditioned to believe that getting a college education is mandatory, even as it becomes more and more expensive. Consider internships or apprenticeships, if those are options for your chosen field. Also, don’t be afraid to make a change if you find you’re not liking the path you’re on. You’re young; you don’t have to have everything figured out yet!

Depending on how the pages are printed, the gutter between the pages may fix that — or make it worse.

One of the tragedies of youth is that we tend to value the exact wrong things. We don’t learn what’s really valuable until later in life, and by that point, we’ve probably made a lot of unfortunate and irreversible decisions.

Thanks, Nightgaunt!