5 ESSENTIALS EVERY ART STUDENT NEEDS TO DO BEFORE TERM STARTS

It's September, the summer holidays are over and a new term is looming for university and art school. Whether you're a fresher this year or returning to art college as a wise second or third year, there are certain things all art students need to do before they turn up to their studios for the first time.

Here's our guide to your essential art student supplies, for settling in this September to make life easier than ever, even if the long lie-ins and summer parties feel like a dim and distant memory.....

GET ORGANISED AS BEST YOU CAN

It's easy to fall back into last year's lazy habits, turning up late for tutorials, missing your art history lectures and spending little time in the studio. But this year is going to be different! Invest in a notebook or diary so you can make regular notes of dates, times and your To Do lists.

Keep some pens or pigment liners loose in your bag at all times, so if ever you need to scribble something down you'll have yourself to thank. Or if you're more digitally inclined and you like to make notes and set reminders on your phone, never be without charge again - invest in a Mayhem Connector Pen so you can charge your phone on any nearby laptop or computer.

WHAT SUPPLIES DO STUDENTS NEED?

Your toolbox might be looking a little worse for wear after a summer of little use and you might simply be wondering what types of art materials are needed for the term ahead. Luckily you're in the right place to find every piece of art equipment that every student or aspiring artist should have Whether you're getting into painting and not sure whethere its oils, acrylics or watercolour or you forgot to wash your paintbrushes and now they're rock hard! Maybe you're prepping for the life drawing and sketching sessions to kick start the year and need to get all your go-to drawing materials. Whatever it is, we've been there and we feel your pain.

Thankfully replenishing your art supplies and buying some shiny, brand new materials is all part of the fun of art school. Treat yourself to some new sketchbooks, blank canvases and brand new brushes so you're equipped with the best tools to get your started at college or university online or pop into one of our stores to speak to any of our expert staff artists who are on hand to help your every neeed.

REFLECT ON YOUR PREVIOUS WORK

Take some time to sit and think about the things you made last year, whether that was at A Level, Art Foundation or your first year at art school. What did you learn about your practice? What did you like about it and what do you want to develop or leave behind? One of the exciting things about art school is that things are constantly changing; you might be a painter when you arrive but an installation artist when you leave, and you should keep open-minded about your practice.

Reflecting on what you made last year is a great way to take the first steps for the new college or university term. Figure out how you feel about your work and try to think about what direction you want to take this year. It will probably change along the way, but it's good to have a starting point for September.

VISIT SOME ART EXHIBITIONS

Just before you head back to art college, though, it's probably a good idea to spark some inspiration and inform yourself about what's going on in the art world. If anything, it'll give you something to talk about in your first tutorial when you're back at university.

Get out and about and see some art show to unclog the standstill of the summer holidays. The proactive ones among you may have used the holidays to see a variety of exhibitions and fuel yourself with inspiration for the coming year, but it might be more likely that you've been sitting in the sun, catching up with friends and avoiding your all-round arty thoughts. If so, we salute you - sometimes you need a break from creativity to keep things fresh.

EMBRACE YOUR PEERS

Does your partner / friend / person you sit next to at work happen to have mentioned that they know a journalist?! Ask for an introduction! Also think about any larger organisations you work with and how they might be interested in working with you to promote your work. Any organisation large enough to have a press office should be more than happy to help, although, again, try to think about what your story is, and why it is of benefit to both you and them, before you call.