Time-out with Arch-Archival SEASON 1 Lecture Series

1. SURVIVING
ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL
Alegbe Mark
TIME –OUT WITH ARCHI ARCHIVALS
(SEASON 1)

2. You are all welcome to the very first season of TOWAA,
Time-out with Archi-Archivals. Before we commence the
first session of this event, let me introduce myself quickly.
I am Alegbe Mark, a Senior Technologist with the
Department of Architectural Technology, Auchi
Polytechnic, Auchi Edo State, Nigeria.
WELCOME NOTE:

3. Today, I would deliver on the topic;
SURVIVING ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL.
It promises to be a very interesting one for many different
reasons.
Students studying towards a qualification in Architecture always
feel at one point in time, if not all the time, the stress related to
this field we chose.

4. INTRODUCTION
This is the first in a series of lectures to be delivered in this
summit. It is purposefully placed as the first because of the
sensitivity of the topic.
You first need to graduate from a school of Architecture before
you can obtain a license towards practising.
To get the best out of this presentation, get a pen and a paper,
if you haven’t done so yet. You may need to jot down your
questions as we unravel certain issues and type them right back
here during the question and answer sessions. Do not skip a
thing!

5. To kick start, here are some reasons why you can trust the
things I have to say to you.
 I have survived the most rigorous training in the most
difficult field of study in the world.
 I have certainly without a doubt passed through; if not
more, any stress you have experienced or are experiencing
studying Architecture/Architectural Technology. How do I
know this?

6. I had my National Diploma (ND) and Higher National
Diploma (HND) in a school in the North and also managed to
go through the “harsh” process of studying towards a BSc in
Architecture at AAU, Ekpoma; South-south, Nigeria. Three
different qualifications, two different institutions and two
different environments‼ The feeling is always the same
everywhere.
You would agree with me that only a few people you know have
managed to take up a first degree in Architecture after an HND
in Architectural Technology.

7.  If you are the “hustling” type, don’t worry, I worked full-
time while studying for my degree; YOU ARE NOT
ALONE.
 I would never pass any of your questions (please let it out), I
am used to dealing with all kinds of questions.

8. STUDYING TOWARDS A QUALIFICATION IN
ARCHITECTURE
Generally, I classify students studying Architecture into two
different categories.
1. those whose firm choice of study is Architecture
2. those whom for certain reasons were drafted into
Architecture
Majority of the students who feel the “bitter taste” of the study
belong to the latter category; they had no idea what they were
going into. (Laughs).

9. However, I have seen students drafted into Architecture from
science lab tech. and some with the original intent of studying
medicine graduate among the top 3 in their classes.
The implication of this is that a positive mindset towards the
study of Architecture would always yield a good result. This is
not to neglect the fact that those whose choice has always been
Architecture do not feel the heat, we all are in this together.

10. HOW CAN YOU SURVIVE IN A SCHOOL OF
ARCHITECTURE?
Before I proceed, it is important for you to know that this is
solely my opinions and doesn’t represent values outlined
anywhere by the National Institute of Architects or the
Architects Registration Council of Nigeria. I would be using a
lot of personal examples so that you don’t think this was a
lecture downloaded from the internet and passed on to you.
Hope we are still together‼!

11. 1. Start well and with a positive mindset
As with anything in life, starting your studies well and with a
positive mindset is very important. For me, I can’t remember ever
starting a programme, ND, HND or BSc without a mindset or a
target.
At the beginning of my ND programme back in the days, I
remembered visiting the department’s notice board to get a record
of the most outstanding students of the department (yes! It was
always on display).

12. I got the CGPA and spoke to myself, “however tough this journey
gets, I want to come out better than this”. That was the beginning!
Through the assignments, studio sessions, outdoor drawings, lab
practical, I always had this at heart. It went well for me.
Regardless of the outcome, do not underestimate your willpower,
you can do much more than you can ever think of. Stay positive.

13. 2. Time (OUR COMMON ENEMY)
Truthfully, how you use your time is the most important thing,
after a committed heart. How you use your time would separate
you from the others. Again, time management can separate one
good student from the other.
Start the day early enough as most ideas come fresh when the
head has been relaxed.

14. 3. Design is just a course among many‼!
This is the killer, devoting your whole time to Architectural
Design. Heading this way is heading towards failure.
To survive architecture is to actually survive all courses, not just
design. This doesn’t negate the importance of Architectural
Design; it only implies that other courses should be given
priority too.

15. 4. Swallow your pride
Pride would bring an early fall and a devastating end to your
career. It happens in schools as well. This part is where students
really have issues with one another. A lot of students are in the
habit of hoarding knowledge, I pity you.
Stop hiding your work. You may have a very nice work and you
feel only your lecturers should see it, or you are saving the show
for the D-day, you lie‼! There is every probability for a colleague
to spot a very important error that needs to be corrected when
you show your work to them.

16. All things being equal, it would be easier for anyone to walk
from Nigeria to China than for a lazy person to scale through an
Architecture school. I always tell students that a hardworking
Architecture student would always be
5. Hard work & Smart work pay
Do not be deceived. In Architecture,
smart work is still hard work, no easy
way out.
above an average student and even
an intelligent student if lazy, would
fall below par here.

17. HOW NOT TO BE LAZY!!!
I. Do not postpone
assignments, if you are
given one today, start today
II. Follow the rules. Do
what you are asked to do,
no matter how difficult,
just try.

18. HOW NOT TO BE LAZY!!!
III. Remember due dates or
deadlines and work
progressively towards it.
IV. Do not wait until
submission hour before
working. Stop wherever
you were before the
submission date, it
probably wouldn’t make a
difference.

19. HOW NOT TO BE LAZY!!!
V. Even if you team up as a class to ignore submissions,
against the lecturer’s wish, come with your work. Just in
case things don’t go as planned.

20. 6. Understand your GPA and CGPA
This is normal for every student but a student of architecture
is expected to know better how this works so as to be able to
plan well in the middle of the “no time syndrome”.
it is more important you pay attention to weightier courses
even if the lesser ones (by weight) appear to keep you overtly
busy.
First semester GPA + Second semester GPA divide by 2 is not
equal to CGPA please. Get your facts right and stop the
assumptions.

21. 7. Back-up your files regularly
This is exactly important if your institution permits the use of
CAD. Nothing hurts like losing drawing files while preparing
for a major project defence. This can be really devastating and
sadly, no one really cares. You should have total control of
your work station. It is best practice to save up your work daily.
Do this by sending your file to your email or saving to the
cloud.

22. 8. Humility is key
This is essentially important during the presentation of
drawings. There is hardly any work that is perfect. It is,
therefore, necessary to pay attention to things you are told
during the jury. It is essential for students to say only things
that matter and never try to argue with your examiners. Do not
talk while your examiners are yet speaking, while you speak
and they cut in, stay quiet and listen.
How hard is that? The
argument usually comes up
when you are trying to
prove a point, is that even
necessary?

23. 9. Take advantage of your strength(s)
Nobody likes all aspects of the training; NO ONE. Some
students appear to be doing well in all activities but deep
down, they really are not comfortable with some.
General aspects I am talking about include; Drafting,
modelling, graphics, speed, oral presentation, neatness,
inking/tracing, colouring/delineation and perspectives.
I believe strongly that no mid-level Architecture student is
weak in all the aspects listed, therefore, why not take advantage
of your strength to cover for your weakness.

24. Some students are so good with perspective drawings that if
the minimum required perspective sheet is three, they would
bring like twelve and display it all over the place.
Some are so good with model making that they can make a
bad design look good.
I had different aspects that gave me an edge throughout my
days in school. What is yours?

25. 10. Consult your ELDERS
If you are not a pioneering student of the department, you are
sure of having “elders” within. With senior students around
you, the burden of handling complex problems is lessened.
This is especially true with cases that an entire level find
difficult to fathom. As a matter of fact, you are lucky if you
have seniors around you.

26. Do not assume you are not good enough to
undertake certain tasks, remember that until you
try, you would not know how good you are.

27. You can direct questions and issues not
completely trashed here to my
Whatsapp: +234(0)8030488585 or
Email: alegbemark@auchipoly.edu.ng

28. THANK YOU