So, you've been accepted into a music school? Now you have a whole new chapter of your life to start. This is such an exciting step towards a career you're passionate about, but there are a few things you should know. Here are just a few of the things you can expect once you find yourself as a music major!
1. Music Theory is after all, theory.
2. You're going to find yourself practicing a lot more.
3. Your high school music experience is much different than your college music experience.
4. You are allowed to miss high school.
5. The music you make will make you cry several times a semester.
6. Sometimes you're crying from the emotion in the music, and sometimes you're crying from your anxiety and sleep deprivation from practicing so much.
7. Your audition was the biggest stress ever, but everyone here went through it and grew from it.
8. You will lose track of time when you're in your 5th class of the day.
9. Taking 18 credits or more isn't unheard of. It's actually expected. A disgusting amount of them are 1 or 0 credit courses.
10. There are hidden costs like accompanist fees and books that you aren't warned about.
11. You will need to ask for help on so many levels. This is a demanding major and no one expects you to get through this alone.
12. You are going to have some of the most caring and personal professors at your university.
13. You're going to get closer to people in the first semester than you've ever been with someone.
14. If you're passionate about music now, you're going to find new appreciations for different musical outlets.
15. Not all of your freshman class is going to make it to your senior year with you.
16. Making friends outside of your major is difficult.
17. Your friends are all going to be talented. You will feel overwhelmed with this.
18. Everyone is here to learn. No one expects perfection from you when you get to school!
19. Learn to collaborate with other musicians now. This is a skill that will make your college life much easier and much simpler.
20. You are going to pray every night that you wake up the next day with perfect pitch.
21. You will find yourself falling asleep in a practice room and waking up disoriented hours later.
22. You will say "I'm just gonna wing it" for things you should not wing.
23. Gen Ed classes will be an enigma you'll never understand.
24. You'll forget to eat. When you remember you're hungry, watch out.
25. You'll feel compelled to do some composition... and it won't be the best
26. No matter how much you practice, you are forgetting to prepare for something.
You are studying your passion now. You have a wonderful opportunity and you will do great things.