Greatness knows no calendar. Whether it's the first bloom of creativity in youth or the seasoned wisdom that comes with age, the timing of success is a story of its own.
Initially, your teachers' caution against comparing grades might seem counterintuitive. After all, isn't it fair to assess our own merit against that of our peers, ensuring fairness in grading maybe? However, the wisdom behind this advice extends far beyond mere academic comparison.
In every academic setting, a diverse array of learners exists, the naturally gifted, early achievers, and those who bloom later. Chance also plays a role—some stumble upon their passion early, while others find their path through winding journeys. But let's delve into the timing of success and why it matters.
At any architect's forum, would your peers ever believe that the person who helped design one of the world's most iconic buildings of the 21st century was deemed a subpar student in his university days? That's the story of Richard Rodgers, revered as one of the masterminds of high-tech architecture alongside Renzo Piano. Despite designing groundbreaking structures like the Pompidou Centre, he was once deemed an unsuccessful student, grappling with dyslexia and academic challenges. His journey reminds us that success isn't confined to academic accolades (Although he did win a Pritzker Prize later on); it's about perseverance, resilience, and seizing opportunities.
For anyone reading this, it's clear that being the recipient of a Pritzker Prize is no cakewalk. Imagine building your first building at 40 and going on to achieve such a feat. Robert Venturi had been an academician his whole life, primarily known for his emphasis on how modernism was producing lackluster designs and why there was a need to take a step back to leap ahead. Despite starting his journey as an architect later than most, he built his first building and became revered as the founding member of postmodernism, his impact profound and significant.
So, even if your achievements haven't garnered headlines or awards, keep pushing forward.
This advice isn't about settling for mediocrity; it's about patiently awaiting the right moment to seize opportunities. Remember, you miss 100% of the opportunities you don't take.
REFERENCES
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, March 6). Robert Venturi. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Venturi
Ibrahim. (2022, October 22). Why PhD architects fail as professors of practice - Arch2O.com. Arch2O.com. https://www.arch2o.com/why-phd-architects-fail-as-professors-of-practice/
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