Do the assignments, and only the assignments. In general, expend as little energy as possible when working on a project. Find the most obvious solution to any creative challenge and go with it. And whatever you do, do not go off on your own looking for ways to challenge yourself outside of class. Thinking of making an unnecessary trip to the museum/art gallery/bookstore? Here's a better idea: Get back to watching YouTube.
Whenever you're faced with obstacles, throw your hands up in despair and then produce substandard work. What are you supposed to do? Fix that broken printer? Find a fabric store that carries something other than burlap? Oh, please. You'd rather spend your time honing your ability to complain. After all, you wouldn't want to be mistaken for one of these passionate, high-energy, get-things-done types, would you?
Refuse to experiment. Remember this: you know you're a designer. You're attending design school only to show off your obviously fully formed genius, not to "experiment" with a "wide variety" of "new techniques and materials." You may be in a rut, but it's your rut and you like it. In fact, it's not so much a "rut" as it is a "signature style."
Take all criticism as a personal insult. Obviously, your design school instructors only want to hurt your feelings. That's why they became teachers―not to share their expertise or to guide you toward producing your best work―but to run around constantly offending people. No matter what anyone tries to tell you, cling to your own opinion. If you're ever encouraged to reconsider the direction you've taken with a project, cry about it, call mom to report the abuse, and then continue doing whatever you want to do.
Don't waste your time learning business skills. After all, if you know how to run a small business, market yourself and keep clients happy, you might be tempted to do just that. And that would only take away from your design time, not to mention bleed away your precious creative energy.
When class is not in session, hide in your room. As you probably already know, all great artists are reclusive. That's probably due to the fact that the more time you spend talking to people, the more likely it is that they'll steal all your best ideas. Even the ones you haven't thought of yet. Besides, who needs to network, when, with talent like yours, the world will obviously come to you?
Not ready to throw in the towel before you even start? Take the first step by researching design schools in your area.
