Creativity adds fun to mundane activities

“Are you a creative person?” My curser blinked on a blank page. The forum question was a surprise. 

I consider myself a creative person, but I never thought that I needed to justify my creativity in a forum. In the middle of answering, the forum brought up an interesting point. Apparently creative people take personal responsibility for their actions and do not blame circumstances. I never thought about it before, but I guess I agree. 

I know that having hard or dictatorial professors, unfamiliar or unknown situations and limited opportunities can impact performance. I am more likely to enjoy creativity in a place with flexible guidelines. 

However, even in the strictest of rules, it is up to you to make the best of where you are at—there is always room for creativity and your personality if you are willing to put the work in. For example, in poetry, a Villanelle is one of the most restrictive poetry forms I know—you must have five three-line verses followed by a four-line verse. 

The first and third lines of the poem are repeated in a specific sequence while the last line of each follow a verse throughout the poem. There is a set meter and rhyme scheme—but even in that strict form, so many beautiful poems communicating thoughts and images exist, including Elizabeth Bishop’s “One Art.” 

Even in a strict environment, it is up to the individual to make the most of the rules and work creatively with them. I’ve practiced this myself multiple times. Take advantage of times when you get to choose your own topic and pick something you’re interested in. 

Fulfill the assignment requirements, but take it in a fun direction. Instead of writing a typical compare-contrast essay, maybe write the script for a speech or debate covering the same topics, but in an unconventional way. Or, if all else fails, pick a big word and see how many times you can fit it into your assignment. My favorite word to use is superfluous. I use it a superfluous amount.

Maybe you don’t consider yourself a creative person—that’s okay, you don’t have to be. The key here is not necessarily to do the most creative thing possible, but to have fun while you are doing it. 

Maybe for you that means sticking to the assignment guidelines and finishing as soon as possible. When I am working on dry, boring stuff, I like to listen to epic music just to add a little spice to the mundane. 

Whatever makes work fun for you, so long as you get the assignment done, do it, work creatively within the lines. After all, college is supposed to be a little fun, isn’t it?