3.) It's obvious that quarantine hasn't stifled your creativity. What is your advice to other students who might be looking for a creative outlet?
Put your work out there. First, channel your feelings and emotions - anger, happiness, sadness, stress and anxiety, thankfulness - into your art. Write stories, movies, plays (which I often do), create a dance, write a song, sing some songs, take some pictures of your backyard, put on a show for your family, paint a painting. Whatever makes you happy, do it. Do something that you'll enjoy and something that you can get your feelings out in. That's what I like to do.
When I'm sad, I write a sad story. When I'm happy, I'll write a happy poem or song. The other day, I was feeling a little off, so I painted a picture that conveyed those feelings. Get your feelings out. The next step, for me at least, is to get your work out there. Before this quarantine, I was sort of shy about my work, I didn't want people judging me. Now, I've been very open about my work. I've shared my stories with many more people, and the other day was the first time I ever shared my singing voice with someone. This situation has really changed the way I view my art and myself. It's pretty eye-opening.
You've got to trust yourself. I know it can be tough, but you've got to push through, because in the end, everyone will see that your work is great! Share your work, because maybe someone's feeling the same way, and when they hear it, read it, see it - they'll feel whole. They'll feel like someone else is there with them. They'll feel a little happier in this huge mess. And that's all that matters.