Yesterday, Saturday October 25, 2014, I attended the annual Stony Brook RA Conference at Stony Brook University representing my school, School of Visual Arts. It was a very interesting day. I learned more about being a successful RA and applying the skills I’ve already gained in my three year experience of being an RA to real-life career goals. Mostly, I got to spend quality time with some of my fellow SVA RAs who I don’t usually see or spend time with. It was refreshing to remember that the school I go to, and the degree I’m pursuing is not considered “normal” and is instead considered special by others. Constantly being surrounded by other art students can sometimes make me take my chosen pursuit of my profession for granted. I don’t know when but at some point I started viewing being an artist as normal. It was very flattering when I realized how different and special I was compared to everyone else at the conference just by the mere fact that I could draw. On the flip side, I was in turn impressed by the other RAs who said they were majoring in things like biochemistry, journalism and history. Sometimes I struggle at SVA. I can get very bogged down in my own head being here thinking that my fellow SVA students are more talented or luckier than I am. It was really nice to be reminded that others may be viewing me as lucky and talented too. I go to a great school in the middle of Manhattan in New York City and I live in Gramercy Park! That is very lucky! I can get really down on myself and sometimes I just need to be reminded how lucky and special and talented I am just so I can continue moving forward. Going to the conference was exactly the little boost I needed.