<p>I was wondering if there is anyone out there who is in school for Landscape Architecture. How do you like it? How can I prepare for the courses? I plan on attending the University of Illinois in Urbana-champaign.</p>
<p>I'm not a landscape architect, but I often collaborate with them. Working with a talented landscape architect is a real pleasure.</p>
<p>Are you heading to school next month? Or do you have a year to prepare?</p>
<p>If you have a year to prepare, you might think about working in a nursery. The best landscape architects have amazing fingertip knowledge of what will grow where.</p>
<p>Another thing you can do is visit famous gardens--both private resdiential gardens and public botanic gardens. Although you will learn much by viewing photos, seeing gardens in real life is critical to your development as a designer. You might visit a few of your favorites in several seasons, for example.</p>
<p>When you get to school, be sure to sit in on the critiques of older students. Try to find out which students are considered to be the best designers--and make a point of keeping up with their presentations. Design students can learn a ton from the peers immediately above them.</p>
<p>Good luck. It is a great profession.</p>