<p>How did everyone's transition to college as a music major go? getting practice, homework, etc. done?
Any high school senior or parent is welcome to post here or message me with questions and I'll be happy to answer.
I attended an American school in Asia, where academics was very vigorous so I had to balance both practicing and studying.
First of all, whether or not a college is on quarter or semester system makes a HUGE difference in workload. Schools on the semester include, Eastman, UMich, IU, USC, BU, on the quarter system include Northwestern and UCLA. Quarter system allows a student to take fewer classes within a smaller time frame, but with many tests crammed in between. But it also allows more variety in class choices. In a semester system it is easier to get behind. At UCLA, we have an "official" jury once a year, but the violin faculty holds one each quarter so that we have more practice experience and so that we will not lack behind. Therefore, you can expect more than one jury. I often feel rushed to finish my pieces. There's more of a scheduled time frame.
At first, I found it hard to practice and do homework at the same time- this is the disadvantage of going to a music school in an university setting or pursuing a BA. You are required to go to more classes and you have more homework to do amidst orchestra rehearsals. Music performance majors, however, have more chamber rehearsals and coachings
For example my schedule looked like this... However, I admit i don't live a heal
Monday:
1) wake up at 6 AM and start practicing at 6:40 until 8:30 AM to go to class (the dorms are far away from music department building, about a 25 minute walk for me. Conservatories such as Juilliard and MSM have dorms which are right near the school).
2) 9:00-9:50AM Music theory discussion which invovles musicianship (sight-singing), keyboard, dictation
3) 10:00-12:50 PM practice, with ten minute breaks between each hour.
4) Alexander technique class 1:00-3:00PM
5) Practice until 4:50PM
6) Collaborative piano class 5:00pM- 7:00PM sometimes it ends earlier
7) dinner and then hangout and practice more, and homework if there is!
8) i usually sleep around 12 to 2 AM</p>
<p>Tuesday
1) wake up at 6 AM and start practicing at 6:40 until 8:30 AM to go to class
2) 9:00-11AM Music theory lecture
3) 11:00AM- 12:50PM practice
4) Ethnomusicology (GE) lecture 1:00PM-2:50PM
5) 3:00PM- 5:50PM Orchestra rehearsal
6) 5:50PM-10PM practice
7) dinner, homework or studying if needed, sleep</p>
<p>Wednesday
1) Music theory discussion 9:00-9:50AM
2) Rest of the day is free to practice until 3PM studio class
3) Dinner around 5, 6, or 7PM
4) Practice, hw, study if needed until bedtime</p>
<p>Thursday
1) wake up at 6 AM and start practicing at 6:40 until 8:30 AM to go to class
2) 9:00-11AM Music theory lecture
3) 11:00AM- 12:50PM practice
4) Ethnomusicology (GE) lecture 1:00PM-2:50PM
5) 3:00PM- 5:50PM Orchestra rehearsal
6) 6:00PM -6:45 PM practice
7) After dinner practice until about 9:45 PM
8) Study, hw as needed utnil sleep</p>
<p>Friday
1) On friday mornings, sometimes i practice in morning for a bit sometimes i don't. And sometimes I take care of business in the morning.
2)9:00-9:50AM Music theory discussion which invovles musicianship (sight-singing), keyboard, dictation
3) Practice 10:00-10:50AM
4) Relax and hangout until ethno discussion 12:00-12:50PM
5) 1:00-3:00PM Alexander technique
6) Go back to dorm, hangout, laundry, and sleep early...</p>
<p>I also have two lessons per week scheduled in between these classes/activities. Sometiems I have one of my lessons over the weekend because my teacher and I are there. And I practice on both Saturdays and Sundays. I also have rehearsals, on average once to twice a week or before my collab piano class and chamber coachings. Occassionally, we have extra rehearsals before concerts. Concerts are at night, so you want to know your college campus is very safe, have escorts, and have buddy system to walk in</p>
<p>The key to getting the most practice done is to be organized, efficient, and don't procrasinate. I'm an earlybird person, I like to get my practice done early. Our violin professors suggest that we practice in the morning. some ppl practice about an hour in the morning, while others prefer to stay at the music department building until it closes at 12:00AM. I practice at the dorm practice rooms as well. The professors suggest practicing in the morning because you will feel less stressed once you have something done. At a big college campus such as UCLA its important to be organized because if you forget, for example your music, you may have to walk back 25 minutes to get it! its a waste of time, better spent on practicing, socializing, or doing hw. I am however, a lunch person so I usually skip lunch; some ppl get lunch in between my practice times. Also, I find it a good idea to practice between classes; that way you can probably get most or all of practice done before dinner time.
As a music major, its hard to practice and have alot of fun. Occassionally, I have fun on weekends as well =-=. alot of ppl at UCLA go home on weekends. I barely party at all, but still have fun sometimes.
Of course, during the first quarter and semester, its time to adjust to college. I didn't have time to practice 5-7 hours a day during first quarter- I hung out more and walked back to my dorm to rest more. afterwards, i found it efficient to practice between classes and during the rest time. so you find, what schedule works best for you to improve yourself as a musician and get your work done!
i hope this isn't a junk thread... if it doesn't help... i guess i should delete it.</p>