<p>As a transfer student I am at a crossroads.
I am finishing up the fall semester, and preparing for my last semester.
I just applied to my choice UCs, and am in the process of applying to scholarships.
I actually like school, overall I'm interested in learning and I really like my field, anthropology.</p>
<p>However, I keep feeling that going to college is, in a way, killing my real dream of being a musician. Maybe this isn't the right place to ask this because any career in entertainment is typically seen as an unrealistic goal, but its been my goal since I was a child.</p>
<p>Due to a long list of complications and the complete lack of peer and familial support and lack of resources (financial and otherwise); I was never able to get singing lessons (which go at min. $75 an hour where I live), though I was always active in choirs. </p>
<p>However, I eventually came to realize that my lack of natural talent needed to be aided by a private instructor, which is still currently out of my reach because any spare money I have goes to school (college isn't cheap!).</p>
<p>I don't know what to do. I'm not naturally gifted and while I love school I love music more, its been a passion I've had throughout my life but I feel my time is running out.</p>
<p>It seems unlikely you’ll find a job that will cover rent, food and singing lessons without a college degree.</p>
<p>Get the degree - If you stop, going back will be difficult. Compress your time in school with summer and winter session classes. Graduate a quarter or two early, get a job and pay for as many singing lessons as you like. </p>
<p>In the interim, see if you can take music classes at your new college.</p>
<p>@NCalRent I’ve gotten a slew of opinions, yet yours, for some reason, seems the most practical. </p>
<p>I am going to do what I can to graduate early, I guess my biggest fear is that my time to be in music is running out.</p>
<p>You do have the rest of your life to participate in music. I know sereral ‘responsible’ adults that have day jobs (engineers, IT Support guys, environmental scientists and even a blacksmith) that play paid live gigs with their bands. They are all really talented and none of them makes a living at it.</p>
<p>Take advantage of the music department at your new school, learn an instrument or maybe even take on a minor. </p>
<p>You can also find or form a band any time. Most colleges have performance opportunities for local bands. You probably won’t be discovered but, it can be a great creative outlet. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>@NCalRent</p>
<p>Thanks NCalRent! I guess my biggest fear is simply being trapped in a job I don’t like. As far as genuine love, enjoyment, passion, and fulfillment go - music is really the only thing that cuts it for me. I guess that’s part of the reason I want it to be my actual full-time job, because all of the things I described above are really important aspects of life that I want to be present in my life daily (as opposed to just on the weekends). I know that in order to travel while playing music it would need to be my full time job. </p>
<p>But alas, I will take your advice on exploring the options within music that present themselves to me whilst at university, hopefully time and money won’t be a horrible constraint.</p>