--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: While I was a student at The Cooper…" description: "\"While I was a student at The Cooper Union, they discouraged too much of a focus on any one medium, and it helped me try new and different things.\" — Wa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8a/wangechi-mutu-11352_discouraged_while-i-was-a-student-at-the-cooper-unio_2445232.jpg" --- # While I was a student at The Cooper Union, they… ![“While I was a student at The Cooper Union, they discouraged too much of a focus on any one medium, and it helped me try new and different things.” quote by Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8a/wangechi-mutu-11352_discouraged_while-i-was-a-student-at-the-cooper-unio_2445232.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8a/wangechi-mutu-11352_discouraged_while-i-was-a-student-at-the-cooper-unio_2445232.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8a/wangechi-mutu-11352_discouraged_while-i-was-a-student-at-the-cooper-unio_2445232.jpg) > “While I was a student at The Cooper Union, they discouraged too much of a focus on any one medium, and it helped me try new and different things.” [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encouraging diverse exploration prevents over‑specialization and fuels creative growth. **In simple terms:** Trying many mediums expands creativity. Key Takeaway Embrace interdisciplinary learning. Themes creativity education interdisciplinary practice artistic development Mood inspired reflective Type educational artistic When to use this quote - design school - self‑directed study - career pivots - creative workshops Key Concepts cognitive flexibility innovation learning theory Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance breadth and depth? - When does specialization become limiting? A Different Perspective Too much breadth can dilute depth of expertise. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cooper Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cooper-union-522332/) [Discouraged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discouraged/) [Discouraged Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discouraged-focus-522331/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new/) [Student Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/student-cooper-522334/) [Too much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-much/) [Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try/) [Union Discouraged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/union-discouraged-522333/) ## Related quotes > [It was easy to get a job at the Cedar Bar because people came and went, but I didn't like the atmosphere. 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When you feel like giving up, when they say it can't be done, it's up to you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matty-mullins/lift-up-your-eyes-discouraged-one-when-you-feel-like-giving-up-when/) [Matty Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matty-mullins/) > [You need never be discouraged or afraid. The way through difficulties has always been prepared for you, and you will find it if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/you-need-never-be-discouraged-or-afraid-the-way-through-difficulties/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [I do what I believe the Lord did, and that is walk in love with all mankind, which I don't see a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasha-smith/i-do-what-i-believe-the-lord-did-and-that-is-walk-in-love-with-all/) [Tasha Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasha-smith/) > [“The way you pass through the land of Learning is that you try a bunch of things. Fear would love for you to try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-acuff/the-way-you-pass-through-the-land-of-learning-is-that-you-try-a-bunch/) [Jon Acuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-acuff/) > [I am a little discouraged and irritated at the welfare recipient families growing in size all the time. Those of us who work and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilmar-moore/i-am-a-little-discouraged-and-irritated-at-the-welfare-recipient/) [Hilmar Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilmar-moore/) > [I've taken my bumps and bruises, but you've got to be willing to get knocked down and pick yourself up. You can't get discouraged.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermaine-o-neal/i-ve-taken-my-bumps-and-bruises-but-you-ve-got-to-be-willing-to-get/) [Jermaine O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermaine-o-neal/) > [Well, I do expect a lot of myself. I'm a harsh critic because I know what I'm capable of. I have hit those occasional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-stevens/well-i-do-expect-a-lot-of-myself-i-m-a-harsh-critic-because-i-know/) [Dave Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-stevens/) > [I am profoundly in the D's - discouraged, depressed, disheartened, disgusted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dunbar-nelson/i-am-profoundly-in-the-d-s-discouraged-depressed-disheartened/) [Alice Dunbar Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dunbar-nelson/) > [I think it's very easy to get discouraged early on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-lowe/i-think-it-s-very-easy-to-get-discouraged-early-on/) [Alice Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-lowe/) > [Many persons have been confused and discouraged at the very outset of the study by the great variety and the delicate distinctions of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-staunton/many-persons-have-been-confused-and-discouraged-at-the-very-outset-of/) [Howard Staunton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-staunton/) > [Marriages are always moving from one season to another. Sometimes we find ourselves in winter--discouraged, detached, and dissatisfied; other times we experience springtime, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-chapman/marriages-are-always-moving-from-one-season-to-another-sometimes-we/) [Gary Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-chapman/) > [Broken by hardships, disappointments and tragedy, people can become discouraged and cynical. But lives can also be mended. Put back together well, they won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-goodier/broken-by-hardships-disappointments-and-tragedy-people-can-become/) [Steve Goodier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-goodier/) ## More by Wangechi Mutu > [We became Homo sapiens not that long ago, from the scientific perspective, and we've retained a lot of our beast nature. We've done all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/we-became-homo-sapiens-not-that-long-ago-from-the-scientific/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [We have to redefine what we mean when we say, 'Who are your people?' 'Where are you from?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/we-have-to-redefine-what-we-mean-when-we-say-who-are-your-people/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [I keep things moving along with a seriously loving, caring, and brilliant man, a fierce group of friends - and really strong coffee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/i-keep-things-moving-along-with-a-seriously-loving-caring-and/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [I've always been curious about the things that I'm afraid to look at, that make me embarrassed or bother me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/i-ve-always-been-curious-about-the-things-that-i-m-afraid-to-look-at/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [I feel that art is beyond language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/i-feel-that-art-is-beyond-language/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [A lot of my work reflects the incredible influence that America has had on contemporary African culture. Some of it's insidious, some of it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/a-lot-of-my-work-reflects-the-incredible-influence-that-america-has/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [I feel like I've spent a lot of time imagining home and thinking about a dream-like place, as opposed to a real place, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/i-feel-like-i-ve-spent-a-lot-of-time-imagining-home-and-thinking/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [Football has that wonderful gift of being accessible. You don't need much gear, a coach, or a lifeguard. You just need your imagination, strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/football-has-that-wonderful-gift-of-being-accessible-you-don-t-need/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [Equal rights for women and queer folks!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/equal-rights-for-women-and-queer-folks/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [What is Africa, anyway? Even I don't know what Africa is, entirely. But I know that it's not some of these simplified sound bites…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/what-is-africa-anyway-even-i-don-t-know-what-africa-is-entirely-but-i/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [I'm big into multifunctional clothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/i-m-big-into-multifunctional-clothing/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [If something hurtful enters your body, you create something beautiful to protect yourself from it. That's my philosophy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/if-something-hurtful-enters-your-body-you-create-something-beautiful/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [Always acknowledge your position in the food chain... They eat because you grow the food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/always-acknowledge-your-position-in-the-food-chain-they-eat-because/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [I have this amateur side attraction to, and interest in, the sciences and biology and physics and evolution. Paleontology is of interest to me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/i-have-this-amateur-side-attraction-to-and-interest-in-the-sciences/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [I'm very much a person that believes that there's something that was introduced into Kenya and Africa as we know it that has made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/i-m-very-much-a-person-that-believes-that-there-s-something-that-was/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) [Explore all 60 Wangechi Mutu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) ## More Discouraged quotes > [Broken by hardships, disappointments and tragedy, people can become discouraged and cynical. But lives can also be mended. Put back together well, they won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-goodier/broken-by-hardships-disappointments-and-tragedy-people-can-become/) [Steve Goodier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-goodier/) > [Marriages are always moving from one season to another. Sometimes we find ourselves in winter--discouraged, detached, and dissatisfied; other times we experience springtime, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-chapman/marriages-are-always-moving-from-one-season-to-another-sometimes-we/) [Gary Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-chapman/) > [Many persons have been confused and discouraged at the very outset of the study by the great variety and the delicate distinctions of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-staunton/many-persons-have-been-confused-and-discouraged-at-the-very-outset-of/) [Howard Staunton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-staunton/) > [I think it's very easy to get discouraged early on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-lowe/i-think-it-s-very-easy-to-get-discouraged-early-on/) [Alice Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-lowe/) > [I am profoundly in the D's - discouraged, depressed, disheartened, disgusted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dunbar-nelson/i-am-profoundly-in-the-d-s-discouraged-depressed-disheartened/) [Alice Dunbar Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dunbar-nelson/) > [Well, I do expect a lot of myself. I'm a harsh critic because I know what I'm capable of. I have hit those occasional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-stevens/well-i-do-expect-a-lot-of-myself-i-m-a-harsh-critic-because-i-know/) [Dave Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-stevens/) > [I've taken my bumps and bruises, but you've got to be willing to get knocked down and pick yourself up. You can't get discouraged.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermaine-o-neal/i-ve-taken-my-bumps-and-bruises-but-you-ve-got-to-be-willing-to-get/) [Jermaine O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermaine-o-neal/) > [I am a little discouraged and irritated at the welfare recipient families growing in size all the time. Those of us who work and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilmar-moore/i-am-a-little-discouraged-and-irritated-at-the-welfare-recipient/) [Hilmar Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilmar-moore/) > [“The way you pass through the land of Learning is that you try a bunch of things. Fear would love for you to try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-acuff/the-way-you-pass-through-the-land-of-learning-is-that-you-try-a-bunch/) [Jon Acuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-acuff/) > [I do what I believe the Lord did, and that is walk in love with all mankind, which I don't see a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasha-smith/i-do-what-i-believe-the-lord-did-and-that-is-walk-in-love-with-all/) [Tasha Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasha-smith/) > [You need never be discouraged or afraid. The way through difficulties has always been prepared for you, and you will find it if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/you-need-never-be-discouraged-or-afraid-the-way-through-difficulties/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [Lift up your eyes, discouraged one. When you feel like giving up, when they say it can't be done, it's up to you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matty-mullins/lift-up-your-eyes-discouraged-one-when-you-feel-like-giving-up-when/) [Matty Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matty-mullins/) > [I think there are so many young girls out there who may be discouraged by the images they see in magazines or on TV,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-knox/i-think-there-are-so-many-young-girls-out-there-who-may-be/) [Kelly Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-knox/) > [The cure for impatience with the fulfillment of God's timetable is to believe His promises, obey His will, and leave the results to Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/the-cure-for-impatience-with-the-fulfillment-of-god-s-timetable-is-to/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [I sometimes am discouraged by what seems to be a sort of conventional disparagement of humankind. I think often people feel that they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/i-sometimes-am-discouraged-by-what-seems-to-be-a-sort-of-conventional/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) [Browse all 540 Discouraged quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discouraged/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "While I was a student at The Cooper Union, they discouraged too much of a focus on any one medium, and it helped me try new and different things.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Wangechi Mutu" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/while-i-was-a-student-at-the-cooper-union-they-discouraged-too-much/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Discouraged" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/while-i-was-a-student-at-the-cooper-union-they-discouraged-too-much/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8a/wangechi-mutu-11352_discouraged_while-i-was-a-student-at-the-cooper-unio_2445232.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8a/wangechi-mutu-11352_discouraged_while-i-was-a-student-at-the-cooper-unio_2445232.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8a/wangechi-mutu-11352_discouraged_while-i-was-a-student-at-the-cooper-unio_2445232.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“While I was a student at The Cooper Union, they discouraged too much of a focus on any one medium, and it…” — Wangechi Mutu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Wangechi Mutu", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "While I was a student at...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/while-i-was-a-student-at-the-cooper-union-they-discouraged-too-much/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/while-i-was-a-student-at-the-cooper-union-they-discouraged-too-much/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```