College is a time when students can find themselves and learn more about what they can do. It is also a time to remember who you are, what you are good at doing, and what you love to do.
Angelina Dang, a freshman biology major, had a hard time remembering who she was when school started to pick up. She became overwhelmed by schoolwork, classes, and finding a place where she belonged.
The opportunity to create an original artwork depicting students’ experiences at Temple arose with the collaboration of Templar Yearbook and Tyler School of Art and Architecture. Students were encouraged to transform their story through their passions and talents, and anything else they felt necessary.
Dang’s artwork, entitled “Jack of Trades”, was a helpful reminder to her and those who see it that no matter how consumed people might get with academics, they have a life outside of the classroom.
“Each card represents a different skill set that I have beyond academics,” Dang said. “The clubs represent me being a seamstress, diamonds show my artistic side, the heart is me being a writer, and the spades is my love of reading.”
Dang wants people to understand that academics aren’t the only thing that defines you. Comparing yourself to someone else doesn’t make you any better than that person. Every person has their strengths and weaknesses, but those weaknesses don’t need to hold you back.
“Don’t limit yourself, because that just means that you’re not giving yourself the chance to grow or learn,” Dang said.
Going to college is a time to push yourself, but within reason. It can be a time where you grow, find yourself, and try new things.
Since creating this artwork, Dang has found a perfect balance between expressing herself through what she loves to do and getting classwork done. Every person’s experience at Temple is different in its own way, but that is what makes each person special.