This SCAB is a bit of a reality check on life at the SCA. It’s the first week back after half term, and we’ve reached a new level of hard. Well, more than hard – it feels physically impossible.

Let me give you the lowdown:

As one of the ‘lucky’ few comedy students, I’ve had six hours of comedy class this week to prepare for my comedy gig on Sunday night, and writing/editing/learning my set in my own time.

We’re working on a live brief from VCCP given on Monday morning and due this afternoon.

We need to improve four campaigns and make two new ones for our book inspection first thing on Wednesday. 

We’re being set a one-day brief on Tuesday.

We’ve got a D&AD rehearsal, with our case study video due next Friday.

And then there’s real D&AD,

Good ol’ reflection slides,

And, of course, this SCAB.

Maybe you think that sounds manageable. Would you still think that if I told you we lost all of Monday day to a film workshop (albeit fun), 2.5 hours of Tuesday day to WIPs and masterclasses, and 3.5 hours of Wednesday day to more WIPs and masterclasses? 

Also, let’s not forget the minor inconveniences of having to eat, sleep and go to the toilet. (You know something’s wrong when you feel guilty for SLEEPING, having just worked from 9am to 9.30pm with no lunch break.)

There just aren’t enough hours in the day. I’m no time management expert, but even the ultimate scheduler couldn’t make this work.

I’m also a strong believer in setting boundaries. I always planned to treat SCA like a job, working flat out from 9 til 6, and then coming home to an SCA-free sanctuary to spend time with my fiancé, and, you know, generally having a life outside school. But if I have to choose between guarding my boundaries and making good work, I will choose good work (sorry, Ed). It’s frustrating because it feels wrong having to make that choice at all. It’s definitely not sustainable. But as I keep telling myself, it’s only one year. Need to get my 16k’s worth.

That said, at the moment I’m violating all my boundaries and still making work that doesn’t feel good enough. Which is…demoralising. And I know I’m not alone in that – other students have all this going on AND MORE (Nicole, I salute you). Meanwhile, that little voice in my head loves to tell me that I’m ‘wasting’ an opportunity to impress whenever I have to settle for an idea I don’t love. But it’s not wasted if you didn’t have the time to properly seize it – missed, yes, but not wasted. That’s unfair. And besides, there are opportunities everywhere. There is always next time.

I think it’s important to share this so that all you future students know exactly what you’re getting yourselves into, not to scare you but to prepare you. Have a good support network, tell people if it’s getting too much, and most importantly, remember it’s only advertising. 

You silly little ad student.

@jess__saunders