Positive You Will Pass
By Creig Hoskins
Licensed 1991

Three years after graduating from college I took the ARE. During my era, it was given once a year, taken by hand, and all in the same week. The building design lasted 12 hours and was given the last day. I did not study the first time I took the exam and failed everything except the graphic portions. I thought since I worked at a great firm that provided me excellent training and I traditionally have always scored high on standardized tests, I said to myself, “Self, there is no need to study, you are smart.”

Duh! The next time around I studied and passed everything except the one thing you did not fail in my office, “CONTRACT DOCUMENTS”. I still remember Mary Fry, an administrative assistant, standing next to me as I tore into the envelope. I saw “PASS” in red beside each division (very excited) but I did not see the word “CONGRATULATIONS”. At the very end, it said “CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS” “FAILED”. Mary looked me in the eye and said “Hell I could have passed construction documents!” All I could do was smile because she could have.

The next time around I saw “PASS” and it scared me. I said to myself you are now licensed to kill someone. Over the next few months, I was so afraid my stamp was going to be placed on a set of drawings. I had passed the exam, but I was not ready to produce anything on my own without oversight. It turned out I was wrong. I knew more than I thought, and I could do more than I imagined. Now look at me: I am the owner of a fourteen-person architectural, interior design, and master planning firm.

So fret not future architects, the experience will make you better and appreciate the licensure even more. Remember, the only one out to get you, is your imagination. Think positive, be positive, and surround yourself with positive study partners.

Now, Go out and increase NOMA!!

Image:
Photo by MARK ADRIANE on Unsplash