life as a Landscape Architecture student🌿

Stepping into Landscape Architecture after starting in Civil Engineering was a huge leap, but honestly, it’s been the most rewarding change! I remember feeling a bit lost at first, wondering if I'd made the right call. But the moment I started diving into our first design projects, I knew this was where I belonged. The biggest difference? Civil engineering was very structured, focused on calculations and existing infrastructure. Landscape Architecture, however, opened up a whole new world of creativity, environmental design, and understanding how people interact with their surroundings. It's not just about pretty gardens; it's about sustainable urban planning, ecological restoration, and creating functional, beautiful spaces. A typical week as a landscape architecture student is never boring. It’s a constant cycle of research, design, and presentation. We spend hours in the studio, collaborating on ideas, sketching concepts, and bringing our visions to life. I’ve worked on everything from intricate 'Paper models' that help us understand spatial relationships, to experimenting with different textures and forms for 'Concrete models' to see how materials interact. One of my favorite parts is the plant identification and research – I’ve become quite familiar with species like 'Liriope muscari - lilyturf' and 'Zelkova Serrata - Japanese Zelkova.' These aren't just names; they’re living elements vital to our designs, and proper 'Plant sketches' are crucial for communicating their role. We also spend a lot of time on 'Diagrams and analysis' to understand sites and develop our design rationale. For anyone considering a path in architecture or landscape architecture, here are a few tips I wish I knew earlier! First, embrace the process, not just the outcome. You'll make countless iterations and mistakes, and that's perfectly normal. Second, effective time management is your best friend. Projects can be all-consuming, so break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. Don't be afraid to ask for help from professors or upperclassmen – they've been there! Third, build a strong portfolio from day one. Document all your 'Projects I've Done as a LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE STUDENT', even the small ones. Those 'Plant research' notes and 'Diagrams and analysis' can showcase your critical thinking. Finally, stay curious and observant. Look at the public spaces around you, question how they work, and imagine how they could be better. This major is challenging but incredibly rewarding, offering a chance to shape the world around us. It’s a journey of continuous learning and creative problem-solving.