Page 16 - First Year Handbook

Academic Success Deadlines &
the Pursuit of Excellence

In the academic world of product design, deadlines are not merely dates but
crucial milestones that drive the progression of projects and ensure they
are completed on time. These deadlines are pivotal for coordinating with
peers, instructors, and aligning with the academic calendar, making them a
fundamental aspect of educational project management.

While striving for perfection is commendable, it’s essential to remember
that continuous improvement should be the goal rather than perfect initial
outcomes. Embracing the concept of “done is better than perfect” is
particularly beneficial in an academic setting. This approach means you value
practical learning and iterative development over delivering a flawless but
potentially overdue project.

The practice of rapid prototyping and receiving iterative feedback can
significantly enhance learning outcomes. This process allows students to
integrate real-time feedback to refine their projects iteratively, rather than
waiting for perfection. These periodic reviews and updates encourage a
deeper understanding of the design process.

Deadlines in an academic design setting should be viewed not just as due
dates but as opportunities for reflection, learning, and iterative improvement.

This mindset ensures you not only meet academic requirements timely but
also grow in your ability to develop design solutions but also make a possitve
contact a staff member as early as possible and in a professional manner. This
allows us to provide the necessary support or adjustments and helps you stay
on track with your coursework.