--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Back when I was in college, people used…" description: "\"Back when I was in college, people used to talk about the alienation of the artist, not ever quite fitting in any place.\" — Marilyn Nelson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c22/marilyn-nelson-35815_about_back-when-i-was-in-college-people-used-t_2324172.png" --- # Back when I was in college, people used to talk about the… ![“Back when I was in college, people used to talk about the alienation of the artist, not ever quite fitting in any place.” quote by Marilyn Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c22/marilyn-nelson-35815_about_back-when-i-was-in-college-people-used-t_2324172.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c22/marilyn-nelson-35815_about_back-when-i-was-in-college-people-used-t_2324172.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c22/marilyn-nelson-35815_about_back-when-i-was-in-college-people-used-t_2324172.png) > “Back when I was in college, people used to talk about the alienation of the artist, not ever quite fitting in any place.” [Marilyn Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-nelson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artists often feel disconnected because mainstream expectations clash with creative individuality. **In simple terms:** Artists feel out of place. Key Takeaway Embrace uniqueness, seek supportive communities. Themes creativity identity alienation community Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - college life - artistic careers - social gatherings - creative collaborations Key Concepts existentialism self‑acceptance Questions to Reflect On - How do you find belonging as a creator? - What environments nurture artistic identity? A Different Perspective Not all artists experience alienation; some thrive in mainstream. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alienation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alienation/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [College](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/college/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [The true artist is quite rational as well as imaginative and knows what he is doing; if he does not, his art suffers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/the-true-artist-is-quite-rational-as-well-as-imaginative-and-knows/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [The definition of an artist, for me, is someone who is quite selfish about their creativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wilson/the-definition-of-an-artist-for-me-is-someone-who-is-quite-selfish/) [Steven Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wilson/) > [When I was a kid, and it was time to go to college, I thought, 'College is for people who don't have the street…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flea/when-i-was-a-kid-and-it-was-time-to-go-to-college-i-thought-college/) [Flea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flea/) > [“Next year at this time, we're going to be hanging out with some new bunch of friends we met at college. 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