Hands-on learning is important to me because I can be ahead of the game. I have a habit of procrastinating, and I don’t want that to bring me down. I refuse to let my own faults be the reason I can’t do more. The trade I wish to learn is graphic arts, so I know I can learn it on my own time online. However, learning hands-on lets me retain information faster than watching a video on screen. Knowing my capabilities and limits, I prefer to learn hands-on. I know that if I learn virtually, I can easily get off-tracked, and I just don’t want that. I want to use the best resources I have to reach my full potential, and hands-on studying helps me achieve that more than studying online. The high school program I attend is called CTC, Career Technology Center. As a junior, I’m taking Introduction to Visual Communication. It’s a program that takes up 3/5 classes out of my schedule to study. I do not regret my decision to join CTC and learn hands-on. In my class, I learn not just graphic arts itself, but also the industry and other skill-sets. I learned more about how to use a camera and how the best ISO to use is the lowest possible. I learned about CYMK, negative space, and typography. I learned which program to use and how to buy sheets of paper at the store. I’ll learn even more of this next year when I attend Commercial Arts for my senior year. All of these shaped my professional goal into achieving not decent, but good work. It allows me to know what to expect of the industry I’m going into, and I love it. It shapes my ideas on what I wanna do for my portfolio in the future. It allows me to achieve the outcome of my designs and artworks. The skills I learned are to help create the illustrations I have always wanted to share with my peers. It always makes me smile when people like what I have to share. I wish to use what I learn and help other artists in my field. While I probably won’t make a good teacher, I love helping where I can. I wish to see a world where a product’s potential is fully displayed, rather than being dulled by cheap designs and artwork. I’m thankful for the resources I have, and I wish to further my education to the highest level.