Mapping Success in University Assignments

Unveiling the Journey of a Budding Urban Planner

Embarking on a university journey, especially in a field as intricate as urban planning, can be both exhilarating and daunting. One student's experience with their initial mapping assignment not only sheds light on the academic challenges but also highlights personal growth and the unexpected joy of learning new skills.

The First Assignment Adventure

The task was straightforward yet challenging - create a hand-drawn map of any location in Australia. The student chose a spot on the Queensland-New South Wales border, known for its vibrant tourist activity. The map included symbols representing beaches, showers, swell, rocks, and points of interest. Despite feeling underprepared compared to peers using advanced software like SketchUp and Adobe Illustrator, the student’s hand-drawn map received an impressive 93.5 out of 100. This high mark was a testament to the effectiveness of simple yet informative hand-drawing techniques over high-tech tools.

Key Features Highlighted in the Map:

• Beach Elements: Showers, swell points, and beach access routes.
• Tourist Attractions: Notable landmarks and recreational areas.
• Personal Touches: Annotations reflecting personal experiences such as family surfing trips.

Transitioning to Digital Tools

The subsequent assignments introduced digital tools like Adobe Illustrator and SketchUp. The first encounter with Illustrator involved transforming parts of Google Maps images by adjusting outlines and legends. This exercise led to a satisfactory grade of 87 out of 100, proving that digital tools could enhance the clarity and appeal of urban design presentations.

In another assignment using SketchUp, the student tackled more complex architectural visualization tasks which involved creating detailed models from satellite imagery. Although initially challenging, this assignment helped deepen understanding of spatial relationships and urban fabric which is crucial in urban planning.

Learning from Feedback and Peers

One poignant aspect of university life is learning from feedback. In one instance, despite incorporating fun sketches and clear diagrams, feedback suggested enhancing urban elements like High Street to make them more vibrant through additional colors or greenery enhancements. Such constructive criticism was invaluable for refining mapping skills.

Personal Growth Beyond Academics

Beyond technical skills, university assignments often lead to significant personal growth. The process of preparing maps for presentation was nerve-wracking yet ultimately rewarding for this student who battled anxiety but found solace in mapping once again after encouragement from friends.

Emotional Challenges Overcome:

• Anxiety during presentations: Overcoming fear by sharing work with peers.
• Sensitivity to materials: Adjusting tools like paper textures and pens to suit personal comfort needs.
• Social interactions: Navigating awkward situations when purchasing art supplies.

Conclusion & Looking Ahead

The journey through various mapping assignments not only enhanced this student’s technical prowess but also instilled confidence and resilience. As they prepared for future courses with anticipation for more complex projects such as comprehensive city plans or sustainable urban designs, it became clear that each assignment was more than just about grades; it was about growing as both an academic scholar and individual.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAmjz6Mvg54