Anyone know what the first year classes are like at Berklee?

<p>I will be attending there in January, but of course I have to wait till the first week to get my schedule, and was wondering ahead of time if anyone knows how they are difficulty wise and what the hours on them generally will be... will there be enough time to have a life haha.</p>

<p>thank you!</p>

<p>I’m a parent of a Berklee student. The first semester, before you get your classes assigned, you have to take placement tests to figure out what level of instrument you are (1=least experience, 5=most experience). In addition, you get assigned an ensemble level. Classwise, you also test to get placed in a level of theory, ear training and other core music classes; some of these you may be able to do online, but if you are advanced, they will still have you test during the audition week to make sure you get put in a class appropriate for your background. The good thing about some of the placement classes is that you could test into a higher level of core classes than a 1st semester freshmen if your skills are advanced enough, which allows you to start taking classes in your major sooner or allows you to get two majors within your time at Berklee.</p>

<p>In regards to how difficult the classes are … it depends on your background and what level of work you are willing to put into them. My D’s first semester had moments where she thought it was super hard or almost bearable, but the last 2-3 weeks of the semester were an all out sprint with finals, projects to be turned in and other requirements. She’s now going into her 5th semester and is resting up for a pretty challenging semester. So while there are moments when she ‘has a life’ she also had moments where I knew she was really cranking, but her friends/peers were also cranking, so they all didn’t ‘have a life’ together, so it was bearable. Work hard, and you can play harder afterwards.</p>

<p>Thank you very much I wish her luck!</p>

<p>I was wondering do you happen to know what the times were generally like how they broke the classes up per day? Was it all day classes or night etc…?</p>

<p>My daughter’s classes were during the day, but some of her ensemble practices were at night. Most classes were 50 min.long, but there are many classes in music school compared to a typical undergrad schedule. Classes average 2 or 3 credits, so you have more of them. Rest up, practice, and good luck to you.</p>

<p>Thank you very much!</p>

<p>I will do my best.</p>