<p>iluv- You really can’t comment until you’ve been in college and experienced it. I hate the bashing, too. I know of no one that has a harder workload than my roommate who is getting a BFA in studio art- even though her major (and mine) is constantly bashed. But you need to learn that from personal experience, not from what you think might happen.</p>
<p>UA Kid thts weird about an hour ago I was looking @ tht same list. Just thought I should point tht out it was really helpful.</p>
<p>Sent from my SPH-M920 using CC App</p>
<p>PS - Sorry for the thread jacking salone :)</p>
<p>god damn people are idiots</p>
<p>You plop down your average engineering major in Berklee or Julliard and he’ll probably cry himself to sleep each night. Likewise, a stellar Berklee student would probably struggle at MIT. They’re completely different fields requiring completely different strengths. Total apples to oranges.</p>
<p>Anyway, back on topic, college life is OK. Despite having commuted last year I still felt more freedom than I did in high school. Didn’t really go to any parties though, nor did I make many great friends. It’s not all that the movies and TV shows crack it up to be honestly, so if you keep that in mind you won’t be let down.</p>
<p>RioBravo…ur college life sounds like my predicted one…I party once in a full moon and as friends go my roomie is prob gonna be my bff…lol…so basically ur saying pay attention to wat ur supposed to do and ur fine.</p>
<p>Sent from my SPH-M920 using CC App</p>
<p>^^I agree.</p>
<p>And for my two cents on the actual topic, I love college life. For me, it’s a lot like it is in the movies and TV. I loved every second of it and can’t wait to go back. Sometimes the work was a little overwhelming but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. I went to lots of parties and made amazing friends, it was even better than I’d imagined. My advice would be to just enjoy it, it’s a fleeting time :)</p>
<p>Edit: Salone don’t go in thinking your roomie will be your BFF. Most people just coexist with their roommates and aren’t really close with them and you may be disappointed.</p>
<p>Great advice RoxSox…I might get someone I hate but it takes a lot for tht to happen…and I love ur attitude…u seem chill but not too chill bout it.</p>
<p>Sent from my SPH-M920 using CC App</p>
<p>Yeah, your roomie could be a great friend or just a great roommate. I’m a real pessimist so consider this a rare bit of optimism: go in with an open mind and a positive attitude and you’ll probably end up enjoying yourself. But yes definitely pay attention to your studies. A lot of learning in college doesn’t involve the classroom, but you’re ultimately there to learn, get good marks and get that degree.</p>
<p>I think that the most important thing to realize is that sometimes you’ll have a tough semester, and you may not get all A’s. Keeping perspective of the situation is key; know what coursework requires more attention than others, and get the more difficult stuff done first.</p>
<p>I do stress out a good bit because of schoolwork, but I honestly think that it’s a matter of organization and preparation for what the professor expects of you.</p>
<p>Overall, I love college, and I couldn’t be happier. Some of my closest friends are from school, and I can’t wait to see what the next two years have in store.</p>
<p>"god damn people are idiots</p>
<p>You plop down your average engineering major in Berklee or Julliard and he’ll probably cry himself to sleep each night. Likewise, a stellar Berklee student would probably struggle at MIT. They’re completely different fields requiring completely different strengths. Total apples to oranges."</p>
<p>Thank you for posting this before I was tempted to verbally bust a cap. Very well explained.</p>
<p>Life can be stressful, whether you are in college or not. Personally I love college. Not because I get plastered because I dont drink, I just really love the people I have met and being off on my own and living life.</p>
<p>GPA doesn’t mean anything. People that go into a music major LOVE it to death and will often do well because practicing doesn’t seem bad to them and they’re used to it, and it can be fun. </p>
<p>Also, there are a lot of schools where the music program is not really that rigorous at all, so that makes easy classes, high GPA, etc. and then you have good music schools where it’s a tough program.</p>
<p>I’m not saying STEM majors aren’t difficult. That and music are probably some of the hardest, I’ll give you that.</p>
<p>It takes a lot to be a music major. You can be taught to do math and stuff like that, even though I’ll agree that some people are better at it than others. But for music, many people simply COULD NOT DO IT EVEN IF THEY TRIED, THEY’D STILL SUCK AT IT AND FAIL MISERABLY!!! Many people simply don’t have the talent or will to do it. Also it’s something you have to stick with for a long time- takes determination and a lot of hard work. They expect a lot in your audition to become a music major and music majors have been preparing their whole life for that, whereas other majors, you might take a couple hard high school AP classes related to your major and call that preparation. Music majors have been playing and working at their instrument(s) for 8, 10, 15 or whatever years. I’ve been playing for 11 years. Some people by the time they go to college have been playing since they were 3 or 4, so 14-15 years of preparation. </p>
<p>Music majors require preparation to get into it, and thus, they do well = higher GPA. Deal with that. </p>
<p>Read this article: [Jason</a> Heath’s Double Bass Blog Blog Archive 5 Hardest and Easiest College Majors by GPA?s – CBS MoneyWatch.com](<a href=“http://doublebassblog.org/2010/12/5-hardest-and-easiest-college-majors-by-gpa’s-cbs-moneywatch-com.html]Jason”>5 Hardest and Easiest College Majors by GPA’s – CBS MoneyWatch.com – Jason Heath's Double Bass Blog) with comments from a prof and music student, responding an article like yours where they found that music majors have higher GPAs than STEM majors.</p>
<p>“So after initial screenings (auditions or pre-interviews) where we determine that the prospective transfer from the STEM area would not be able to survive a music program, we suggest other programs for them besides music.” Ha ha, see you “smart” STEM majors can’t survive in a music program. HA HA! </p>
<p>Another quote:
“The current practice of only accepting students who have the preparation to succeed in a music degree program is the right thing to do, but it means that the music area won’t be getting as many bad grades to parade to CNN researchers. If the undergraduate STEM fields had the same rigorous entrance requirements as a music proficiency audition, and they kept out students that they know will fail or barely get through with mediocre performance, I’m sure the numbers in the CNN poll would be different.”
Like I said above, music majors have all these requirements and prep stuff to get in, which is why they succeed with a higher GPA. OTher majors (STEM included), you apply, get in, and many really can’t handle it and shouldn’t have gotten in, so that accounts for poor GPAs. </p>
<p>Also, a LOT of people complain about music theory classes. They’re hard for most people. I personally find it easy and always have, but many people I’ve known (high school AND college students) find it difficult. I’ve spent time at a piano camp for 4 summers and talked to music majors about this stuff, so I do have some insight into classes that way. Also, I’ve taught people music theory and seen it taught to them by other people, and many just don’t get it. Music majors have to take several of those classes that are hard for most people.</p>
<p>Some other quotes from people talking about the difficulty of being a music major from: [xkcd</a> • View topic - Hardest Major](<a href=“http://forums.xkcd.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=27095&start=40]xkcd”>http://forums.xkcd.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=27095&start=40)</p>
<p>"What about music ed?</p>
<p>Requires an insane amount of credits, easily more than any other major because it requires performance credits on a primary instrument, and you have to learn piano. Requires ear training which of most people it would be hilarious to see them try to do, even for music majors it’s difficult at first. Likewise, theory is no small feat, and on top of all the homework they have to do they also have to student teach and practice an instrument. Finally culminating in a recital of which is pass fail. Easily the hardest major, maybe not topic wise, but with the amount of work you have to do and how hard it is, it is no small feat."</p>
<p>Here’s an Engineering major saying Music is harder…have fun reading this: "Yo, I’m a Mechanical Engineering major; and yeah its pretty freaking hard…</p>
<p>BUT; I vouch for music being the hardest as well. Not only do you have to do the same level of thinking, you have to do it instantly with no mistakes the first or second time you see the music. Also, no one can possibly double check you. That’s like solving a partial differential equation real time without stopping for breaks, never opening a textbook and (get this) not making any mistakes (if your a professional this means you lose your job.)</p>
<p>I play piano and saxaphone, nothing professional or close to it, My sister is Piano Performance, those spend more time with their instrument (piano) to perfect their art (music) than I spend with my instrument (math) to perfect my art (engineering.)</p>
<p>And to top it off, only the very top tier of musicians get jobs… Hows that for risk? I know at least a couple musicians turned engineer because it was “easier.”</p>
<p>another: "I agree. Music theory is quite a class to take. In fact, I have a Music-turned-Biology Majored friend in Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>And yes, not making a single mistake (sometimes, also “complicating” music from a simple tune). And the heightened risk of not making any money (and not getting into an orchestra/concert band / ect). </p>
<p>Music majors have a hard time with the major even if they were naturally inclined towards music, or a specific instrument. It covers a large scope that goes well beyond what is asked for by people who play instruments for fun (and well beyond what people expect). You can be naturally gifted at math and think many to all of your classes are easy, but you’d have to be Mozart to think all your music requirements were as simple."</p>
<p>Music major: “As a music major, I can speak a bit about how hard/deceptive my major is. First, let me say that it certainly is challenging in almost every way. Most of the music majors I know take a full credit load (the maximum the college will let them take) every semester for their entire four years (those of us who aren’t doing 4.5 or 5 year programs). On top of that, many of the classes involve more class time than they really “should” under the standard 1 credit/hour per week formula (For example, at my school, ensembles are maximum 1 credit, but sometimes .5 credits, depending on whether it’s your major ensemble, and they have anywhere from four to six hours of rehearsal a week plus another hour or so a day of independent practice). We’ve also got history, theory, aural skills, secondary instruments, and our private instruction. All in all, it adds up to quite a load. That said, we don’t have as much outside-of-class work as a lot of other majors do. We do have to practice all the time, but we don’t usually have hundreds of pages of reading to do for each of our classes (generally the reading is just for history or theory or any liberal arts electives we’re taking/education classes taken outside the school of music).”</p>
<p>“Hmmmm Hardest. Performing Arts hands down. It’s all subjective and there is a myriad of subjects to learn.”</p>
<p>"LMAO. I dare you to even TRY and get into a music program. " Same to some of you STEM majors here who think music is a joke of a major. TRY and get into a GOOD music program.</p>
<p>Also, for a STEM-related thing, I took AP Calc last year (and yes I know it’s AP and some classes can be easy and not quite compare to the college class), but I did get a 5 on the AP test, and it was an EASY 5! I came out of it knowing I had a 4 or 5 for sure, likely a 5 and if I’d gotten less than a 4, I would have had to have it rescored because it would’ve been impossible. What I’m saying is, I find math SUPER EASY and music harder (but I chose music because I love it). I’ve NEVER been challenged in a math class, never study for math tests, and took honors and AP all through high school and found it easy and was always bored in it. Calculus is easier than music, for me. I hardly ever studied for math tests, even in Calc…knew it without studying. I studied some for the AP test, but it wasn’t bad at all.</p>
<p>“Still though, I think Music would be the toughest for me. Those kids (at least the ones I know) often spend the same kind of insane amount of times as the super-hard science majors practicing and playing in multiple bands/ensembles. Plus you’ve got to be well more than competent to even get in such a program. And it’s not something everyone <em>can</em> learn.”</p>
<p>“Differential calculus? No problem. Music theory? I could not learn jazz improv theory to save my life”</p>
<p>Read this article too: “they did not expect the rigorous academic curriculum or did not have sufficient preparation. It is important for students to realize that becoming a music major entails more than simply playing or singing in an ensemble.” [What</a> it Takes To Be a Music Major](<a href=“http://www.menc.org/careers/view/what-it-takes-to-be-a-music-major]What”>http://www.menc.org/careers/view/what-it-takes-to-be-a-music-major) </p>
<p>Read: [These</a> are my confessions: Why being a music major is just as hard as any other major…And other fun facts about life!](<a href=“http://ktwall.blogspot.com/2011/05/why-being-music-major-is-just-as-hard.html]These”>http://ktwall.blogspot.com/2011/05/why-being-music-major-is-just-as-hard.html)</p>
<p>Wow didn’t realize I posted that twice^ so I’m just editing that out here.</p>
<p>^Wow…bored or something?</p>
<p>
Yeah it is different.
@RoxSox, fine after I start college, ask me about it then. Ask me about the workload at the end of the year, whenever you want. Yes I love music and I’m happy to do the work, but the fact remains that it’s a lot.</p>
<p>
How about we just agree to say that STEM and Music are both very difficult majors. But music major is not a joke. As a music major though, I think I could do the STEM major stuff too. I’ve done well in those classes always too, but the hard part would be that it’d be boring and suck that way.</p>
<p>Wow, well since you researched all that you must know exactly what it’s like to be in college and exactly how much you need to study and exactly what every single class will be like. Don’t let anyone here who’s actually done it stop you. You’re clearly the smartest person ever. You sure showed all of us.</p>
<p>Music majors and STEM majors are apples and oranges, as someone said. Quit trying to compare them.</p>
<p>God, you’re annoying.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Graduating will be the happiest day in my college life and I still have 3 years left lol. </p>
<p>Yeah I met some cool people, learned great things, and all that jazz, but in all honesty, that’s the story of life. You can meet cool people everywhere, you can learn great things on the job/personal time and etc. </p>
<p>I wish I was the class of '12 as opposed to '14. Still got 3 darn years left. sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.</p>
<p>oh my god.</p>
<p>
No, I actually have something I’m trying to work on here. I’m looking through classes and coming up with different ways they’ll fit in my degree plan for college and then can choose which way to go when I know exactly how many credits I can take at a time…
Anyways, I was just defending my point and linking to some other sites with people agreeing that music is hard and not a blow-off major.</p>
<p>Have fun reading.</p>
<p>“A lot of you STEM people probably couldn’t survive music to save your life. Sorry.”</p>
<p>Couldn’t we make the same argument against you about surviving the engineering workload?
I’m not anti- anything. I love music and I’ve honestly thought about bringing up my violin. That probably means nothing so I’ll stop before I ramble… but honestly why is this debate still going on? I’m probably just a noob to these forums but arguing over which major is more difficult is ridiculous unless you have majored in both subjects. You can generalize overall which majors are more difficult than others but getting down to specifics is completely subjective. One may find something hard while the other finds it easy and vice versa so I don’t really know if it’s right to compare to completely different topics…</p>