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I have fairly fond memories of my experiences in both graduate and undergraduate school. That being said I did have the occasional odd and frustrating experience and sometimes, it was a challenge to turn those experiences around into positive learning. Some lessons are not learned until many years later.
College is for many students the first time away from home, and from parental supervision. While testing out the real world is all part of growing up, it can get in the way of the main purpose of college – to learn and receive training, to get a degree and to use that degree to gain employment.
Probably the biggest detractor for myself was the amount of distractions there can be as a student in college.
It certainly helps to have a caring studio teacher who emphasizes specific goals and benchmarks but ultimately, college is the time to learn how to discipline yourself. Studying to be a professional is a serious business and in our current economic climes especially, it pays to think deeply and seriously about future prospects.
This aside, academic study itself can act as an internal pressure cooker on one’s spirit and emotional state. When the pot boils over, it helps to stop and think about what you are doing.
1. Think about self-improvement
Think about turning those hundreds of hours in the practice room into something bigger and more life-altering.
- Take up journaling. The payoff can be big in the long run, as I found out about a year ago.
- Know your line and stick to it.
- Balance personal and ensemble practice.
- Think about how much to practice.
- Failures are just another step towards success.
2. Focus on basic techniques
College is a great time to really work on the basic techniques that are needed in the professional realm. The sooner things like these get worked on, the better.
- Double tonguing
- Accuracy
- Lip Trills
- Transposition
3. Work out issues with yourself and others
Academically-based performing ensembles – both large and small – are a good place to start learning about what it means to be a professional. There are no hard-and-fast rules written down anywhere, but here are some helpful guidelines to think about.
- A list of what not to do as illustrated by a jaded pro.
- On dealing with criticism.
- Professionalism starts with rehearsal behavior.
- If you are a student new to a certain college and studio, think about being a newbie. Observe and respect the status quo before trying to set fire to it.
- Avoid drama whenever possible.
4. Dive into new repertoire
A supportive private studio teacher will help a student spread their wings, exploring new music to both study and perform.
- The 3 big concertos
- Collections and method books
- Orchestral excerpts
- Music-related texts
- Listen to a lot of recordings
- Methods from other instruments
5. Look at the big picture
Outside of the practice room there can be other issues and questions to think about, such as:
- Am I studying with the right teacher?
- How am I going to pay for this?
- How can I work smarter and not harder?
- Do I spend too much time online?
- 10 Survival Tips
- 6 Tips for Applications and Auditions
- Think about how much this education is costing you
- Think about your horn teacher
- Think seriously about what you say online
