For me, the phrase ‘third time’s a charm’ proved truest when applying for Award school. Looking back at my 2012 application (which was rubbish), and 2013 (also rubbish), I’m glad it took so long.

The more I heard “no” the more determined and humbled I became. By 2014 I was more concerned with trying to be good then trying to get in. As it turns out the judges like good work. Who’d have thought?

I’d gotten in. Now, I had something to prove.

Like many students, Award was a juggling act of commitments, full-time work, assignments and the desire to do a killer job. Believe me when I say I wanted to throw in the towel many times; honourable mentions go to the Google Drive brief, which drove me up the wall and then got on it. But we had a tight-knit group and, despite the competition, supported each other through the craziness. I think I’ll miss that the most; catching up with those awesome kids twice a week, made everything better.

My finest moment was the final day of submission. Like many, I hadn’t slept in days and was heading to Officeworks early to scan some drawings. A simple task. But one angry old lady, four car trips, two file corruptions, three paper jams and one traffic jam later and I’m weaving through traffic like it’s the pinnacle of a Fast and Furious film, void of any sanity or dignity I had prior. I skidded into an illegal parking space and, folder flailing, bolted down York Street with five minutes to spare. I still blame Officeworks for almost missing that deadline, and haven’t been back since.

This post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning my ace tutors; Nick and Denny (Clemenger BBDO) who we can only assume are drinking from their ‘no.1 tutors’ mugs at this very moment. Like many, they looked at me with puzzlement as I explained I was a graphic designer who wanted to be a copywriter. But after submitting our first brief (I think) they could see why.

Between Nick and Denny and our lecturers I was equipped with the tools to do some great work. And, like any amateur, I gripped these tools with all the grace of a five-year-old gripping a pencil.

But I practised relentlessly and, to continue the metaphor, getting top top-ten felt akin to getting my pen licence. I’m by no means a master, but they now trust me not to mess up the place.

See the work here.