As a high school student, I was very involved in the arts. I loved marching band, choir, and show choir. My passion was to sing, but as I entered college, I didn't know what I was going to do. College is a whole different ball game, and I was convinced I would have to give up what I really loved to do, but didn't want to make my career.

Many students struggle with this when they come into college. A lot of people believe that to do well in college, you have to give up everything for your studies and focus, but honestly, I couldn't do that. As a freshman at ONU, I went into orientation with every intention of quitting marching band and choir, but as I met new people, I began to see it as a way to branch out.

So, yes, I did do marching band.. and it was hard. College + Marching Band + New Life = a pretty busy schedule. On top of that, I decided on a whim to be in choir. Not only did I join the choir, but I was able to be a part of a special group that I had always wanted to be in. It was amazing. As a freshman in college, I was able to bond with over 200 students from those music groups, and become friends with them, through music. In band, I was able to go to Disneyland and make new memories with these people. In choir, I went on a retreat and learned almost everyone's names, and new things about them. Because of band and choir, I made friends.

Yes, you need to study in college. College is hard, but college is way more than just school. The friends you make by bonding over a common goal (in my case, making beautiful music) will make sure that it's more than just that. Also, don't think for one second that those friends want to keep you from succeeding. When I was behind in school, it wasn't my friends from class, but my band friends who came to help me. When I was upset, the first people to ask me what's wrong were the ones who had missed me in rehearsal.

As a college freshman, I don't think I was ever truly alone on campus. From the beginning, I was welcomed by the music program, guided around campus, and always filled with encouraging words. And I haven't even mentioned how great it is to get with a group of people who care about you, and make fantastic music with them.

College music is hard work. And yes, it's expensive. But what they don't warn you about is how much you will love it. They don't tell you that you will get a new family on campus, but you do. Joining the band and choir may have been something I didn't want to do in the first place, but after everything I've experienced, I will never regret it. I may not be a music major, but music is something that I always want to do because of the people it brings me to.