As a first-year architecture student, I have learnt that it is more than just a degree; it’s a lifestyle. Long studio hours, intense deadlines, and constant creative pressure can make it feel like your entire identity is linked to your work. I’ve learned that staying creative depends just as much on what you do outside of your studies as what you do within them.
For me, that perspective didn’t come from architecture alone. At the start of 2020, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer when I was 14. I underwent a year of harsh chemo, immunotherapy and an above-knee amputation. That experience changed how I view what really matters. It also shaped the way I approach both my studies and my life now. Because of that, rest, movement and time are not optional extras, they’re essential.
Architecture can easily take over your life if you let it, and there’s often an unspoken pressure to keep pushing, keep producing and keep perfecting. But I’ve learned that creativity comes from balance, from perspective and from giving yourself space to think and feel beyond your work.
Running has become one of the most important ways I maintain that balance. I had been training for the 2026 London Marathon, something I never would have imagined during treatment. Running, for me, is more than just exercise, it’s a reminder of how far I’ve come. It’s also one of the few times my mind completely switches off. There are no thoughts of work, anxiety or pressure when I’m out running – its just movement, focus and a sense of accomplishment. Balancing marathon training with architecture wasn’t always easy. Studio days can be long and the motivation isn’t always there. But running has helped me to become more disciplined and resilient in a completely different way. It’s helped me structure my time better, whether that’s getting up early for a run or using it as a reset after a long day.
More importantly, it’s shown me that progress doesn’t have to be perfect – consistency is what matters most.
Alongside physical wellbeing, I’ve realised how important it is to stay creative in ways that aren’t tied to architecture. Creativity can sometimes feel like it’s always being judged by tutors, by deadlines, by outcomes. But some of the most meaningful creativity happens without that pressure. Whether it’s sketching freely, exploring new places, or simply observing the spaces around me, those moments keep my creativity flowing in a more natural and enjoyable way.
Relationships and friendships are another huge part of that balance. It’s easy to get caught up in the “architecture bubble” where everyone is working towards the same deadlines and dealing with the same pressures. But having people around me who aren’t part of that world has been incredibly helpful. They remind me to switch off, to laugh, and to not take everything so seriously all the time. At the same time, the friendships I’ve built within my course are just as valuable. Architecture is collaborative by nature, and some of the best ideas come from conversations, shared struggles, and supporting each other through projects. Whether it’s informal discussions in the studio or connecting with people beyond university, those interactions help the way I think and create.
Having a healthy lifestyle is something that is important to me, by waking up early, going in the gym and eating food that I know is good for me gives me routine and allows me to not worry about my physical health meaning I can direct more focus to other important parts of my life. For me, creativity is shaped just as much by early morning runs, conversations with friends, and moments of rest as it is by time spent in the studio.
It has taken time to figure out this balance, and it is still something that I am working towards. But it has allowed me to feel more confident in myself and to appreciate the people that surround me.
