photo of Dr. Martin
Sue Ann Martin, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Communication and Fine Arts
Moore Hall 129
Central Michigan University
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
phone: 989.774.1885
fax: 989.774.1890
email: Sue.Ann.Martin@cmich.edu

10 steps to a creative college life...

I live my life in growing orbits,
which move out over the things of the world.
Perhaps I can never achieve the last,
but that will be my attempt.
-Rainer Maria Rilke

  1. Actively listen when you are in class so that you can discover the romance of ideas...take them on...agree with them...disagree with them...be surprised by them...evaluate them. To "attend" is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as "the act of directing one's ears to, turning one's mind to and applying one's self to whatever is being said." All of this takes an enormous amount of energy. Listening is not an easy task. But beware of the consequence, as the old adage warns, "Listen, or thy tongue will keep thee deaf."
  2. Ask questions. Don't remain silent because you fear your questions are silly. Questioning is the natural way we all learn. What is silly is to ask no questions at all.
  3. Keep a daily journal of your thoughts and observations. Write down words, phrases, sentences, or draw pictures. When we look at notebooks (journals) of great scientists, painters, historians, CEOs and writers, we can see sketches, doodles, models metaphorically representing development of the problems and ideas that occupied their creative endeavors. Daily entries can document visually and verbally the ideas developing in your mind.
  4. Locate a mentor. Mentors are important because s/he is someone who believes in you. The word "mentor" means an experienced or trusted advisor. Mentors teach by allowing you to witness them, model after them and in some cases collaborate with them. We have numbers of teaching award winners in the College of Communication and Fine Arts. We have professors who are interested in working with you. Know your professors' office hours. Meet with them. Don't be shy.
  5. Participate in co-curricular and extracurricular activities of the College. We have unique opportunities for you with such activities as the Marching Band, the debating team, CMLife, News Central and Moore Hall TV, University Theatre, the University Symphony Orchestra, chamber ensembles, many choral opportunities and student exhibitions.
  6. Take a risk and allow yourself to enroll in a class that will give you an experience in an area that does not fall within your current interests. In this way your base of interests can be broadened and new areas of interdisciplinary connection can take place.
  7. Find your own voice. Speak up. Form a study or discussion group. Be an active participant in communication. Hear and feel your own voice.
  8. Allow for some alone time during which you can reflect on the progress of your ideas and your feelings in relation to the environment and your studies. Alone time can be as simple as a walk or as formal as meditation. Unaccountable time can heal and renew.
  9. Honor divergent thinking and diverse points of view by keeping an open-minded landscape. Don't close down an idea prematurely because it is different or unusual.
  10. Believe in your uniqueness. Affirming your intrinsic value should be a daily habit. Never beat yourself down with such phrases as "Boy, am I stupid." The words "right" and "wrong," and "good" and " "bad," need to be substituted with "effective" and "not effective," and "appropriate" and "not appropriate." Know that there has never been anyone exactly like you.