Mike Pudan
Critical Fine Art Practice BA(Hons)
Monday
Monday mornings always mean an early start for me, but thankfully my campus is only a 10min walk from halls! We usually take part in a group activity in the studio that revolves around work we have done the previous week. As a group we try and produce work against the clock for the others to analyse in preparation for collaborative artworks that we may produce in the future. Usually I pop back to halls for lunch but today I grab a sandwich in the Grand Parade building canteen with my course mates.
After lunch it's back to the studio to briefly review the work we have done and then I'm free to either stay in the studio and carry on with my own practice or go back to halls. My course, although studio orientated, still encourages good use of home-time, whether that be doing reading, taking research photographs or a bit of drawing, the hours do add up! So back to halls it was to wind down the afternoon before preparing a culinary masterpiece for dinner.
Tuesday
Tuesday is my reading day, which for me means another group discussion about a text we have been set to read. I remember this being really daunting at first, yet you quickly relax into the friendly atmosphere of the group and begin to air all manner of convoluted opinions to your mates.
This is generally a short day for me so I always go back to halls and plan a night out with my mates. This Tuesday we decide to venture a bit further afield to The Worlds End pub - sounds ominous but is great for cheap drinks and they stock loads of different board games. Yes you can indeed sip a mojito whilst playing monopoly!
Wednesday
Ahh the day of relaxation, or not as the case may be. After getting up late of course, I decide whether or not to go in and use my studio contact time. This is when there are no tutors in the whole day but I can use the facilities and materials to continue with my own practice.
I always leave myself some free time to go and chill by the pier with an ice-cream; after all it is a 7minute stroll from campus to the sea! Watching the waves wash up against the shore as the hum of voices flow through the air from the bars behind really cannot be matched!
Wednesdays are also reserved for extra curricular activities, such as sports and social events. For the first few weeks I took part in Ultimate Frisbee sessions I had signed up to during the Freshers Fair. There were hundreds of other societies and clubs to join on the day; to say I was spoilt for choice would have been an understatement!
Wednesdays are generally a great night to go out clubbing in Brighton, as the Student Union will always put on an event in one of the affiliated venues. There are great drinks’ and entry deals to be had if you simply take your student card out with you. So for us it was off to Digital nightclub for a boogey on the seafront.
Thursday
For me this is my most academically centred day. We have a lecture at 9am that revolves around artistic practice and history, themed by regular lecturers and even guest speakers from time to time. The lectures always prove invaluable in opening your mind that little bit further to subject areas that perhaps you would not even consider.
Our seminars form the basis of essays to follow so it's important that notes are regularly taken. Seminars also tend to be good fun as well, they are more eccentric in topic in comparison to my Tuesday course sessions, especially as many of the lectures spark fiery debate in the class! Not only is this a great way to study, but an even better way to make new friends.
Friday
The day starts with a long video session by a guest speaker tailored specifically for my course. These are really useful! The sessions are quite intimate and we get to discuss with a distinguished professional about the work he would do in comparison to our own.
Afterwards is my shopping day. Doing a weekly shop always works out more cost effective as you don’t tend to snack buy throughout the week. Usually three of us drive down to the 24hr supermarket at the marina. It works out far cheaper than the local smaller shops and there is always greater variety.
Brighton is one of the best places to earn money as a student; there is a vast range of jobs available and the hourly rate is way above the national average outside of London.
Weekends
This is when the real chill out sessions begin, whether that be reading up for your course, hitting the cobbled Lanes or High Street to do a spot of retail therapy, popping home to see the parents or convincing your love interest to come down and spend Saturday with you. There really is a huge amount on offer. My tip: pop to London on the train, if you book in advance it's £2 each way - BARGAIN!
