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Going back to college... finally.

dustklose

dustklose

Feb 5, 2005
488
127
38
North Dakota
#1
Hey y'all. So I've finally made the decision to go back to college. I am going online to recieve a Bachelors in Business Management, the college has a 'partner college' that offers a 1 year Bachelors to Masters program. My goals, are to get my MBA with emphasis on Entrepreneurship and Marketing Technologies.

I am 22, and have previously dropped out of college twice. Once when I was going for Sales/Entrepreneurship, and once when I was going to a private audio production school.

I am really hoping this time will be different. I really want to get out of my current dead end job, and make a decent living for myself. My only concerns are how much time it will take away from bass playing. I have never been a great bassist, but I'm alright.

How do some of y'all balance college with music? I want to do my best in all of my classes, while also dedicating myself to music. I can't read music, but I want to. I don't know much theory, but I want to. What should I do? Put music aside for a bit to go to college and get my degree. Or try to juggle both?

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks
 
#4
It's your third time around. If music had anything to do with college overload in the past, keep that in mind.

If you're committed to college, you cannot commit to a serious band also.

However, you can remain committed to your instrument by committing to woodshedding, or pursuing a music minor etc. Can be really good if you like to woodshed as a stress-reliever from your studying.

Just don't let typical rock star distractions creep in.
 
#7
dustklose said:
How do some of y'all balance college with music? I want to do my best in all of my classes, while also dedicating myself to music. I can't read music, but I want to. I don't know much theory, but I want to. What should I do? Put music aside for a bit to go to college and get my degree. Or try to juggle both?

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks
Click to expand...

My balancing act was pretty easy. I didn't join any bands on a regular basis and only accepted gigs that put $125 or more in my pocket. When I was finished studying or doing homework, I'd hit the woodshed for about an hour. I also joined the colleges choir and took music theory classes for electives so that I could keep the brain up to speed with music and also network with other musicians.

One thing I also did was whenever I was feeling burned out with school or needed to switch priorities from education to earning money, I would take no more than 1 semester off. When the next term started, my mind was able to focus on my studies. It took me longer than most, but I had to do it in a way that worked for me. Once you get settled into the groove of school, you'll be able to better prioritize and balance music, work, school, social life, etc.



fourfinger said:
It's your third time around. If music had anything to do with college overload in the past, keep that in mind.

If you're committed to college, you cannot commit to a serious band also.

However, you can remain committed to your instrument by committing to woodshedding, or pursuing a music minor etc. Can be really good if you like to woodshed as a stress-reliever from your studying.

Just don't let typical rock star distractions creep in.
Click to expand...

+1

School takes up too much time to be in a full time band. The networking connections I made in the choir and music theory classes I took have more than paid off. It's led me to enough musicians that I could piece together a band on a moments notice for any type of gig that should arise; so I certainly 2nd the advice to minoring in music or taking music classes as electives.
 
#8
I am going to a school that also has a brick and motor campus, its just that with my current work and financial situation, I need to go online. They have a campus an hour from me, where most of my professors will teach from.

With this degree I would like to do a few things I would like to get a small lutherie ship opened(always been a hobby repairing and modifying basses n guitars). I would also like to open a talent agency, helping up and coming musicians plan their careers. I already know that after I get the degree, I want to go to Roberto-Venn for schooling too.

Music has always aided in my decisions to leave school. Business I left for the audio production, which I left due to lack of money, and a band that was doing a small midwest tour.

Now I feel that I have my life in order and I have priorities in which getting a degree is number one.
I never thought about using practice and woodshedding as a way to get away from the normal school learning.
 
#10
I was 30 before I was mentally ready for college, you really need to be able to focus on what is most important. Tried once at 18, failed every course I took. Went to college at 30, graduated with high honors. So you may not be ready yet.

That said, going to college is always a good idea, as long as the program you are in has a future (is anyone hiring for that position?). Pretty much where I am now, 2 Associates degrees but they have outsourced the majority of the jobs in both fields to China.

I would say, from your comment about balancing music and school, that you probably are not ready to go to school, at least not full time. You have to quite literally put your life on hold, if that is what it takes, to succeed in school. And graduating with a C average won't always help a lot with jobs, they frequently want to see your GPA if it is a well established company.

Be very cautious about online schools. You may waste a lot of time and money to find out you are no better off than if you had no degree or just a certificate.
 
#11
Keep in mind that many employers look down upon online degrees, unless it comes from a school with an actual campus and reputation. BTW if you are worried about dedication to your classes, I highly suggest going to actual campus classes. You have teachers and tutors on hand there as well.

I never took an online class because with my schedule and slacking study habits, I know id only mess up. Thats just me though. I took hybrid courses before which are half online and half in class. Having the campus part of the class helps me to make sure I stay focused and remember to do my online work.
 
#12
I hit the glass ceiling in my mid forties and went back. Finished 60 hours and got a BS in Business Administration in three years working full time. Had no time except for work and study. Others have said the same thing going to college is a commitment - that's your number one priority. If you are not ready to commit, don't waste your time or money.

After I graduated it took me about a year to not feel guilty reading fiction.
 
#13
I am dedicated. I am getting sick of working at the dead end job where I am employed. I know I can better myself. I like the idea of using bass woodshedding to give me a slight break from the college studies.
Right now alls I do when I get home from work is sit around, and fool around on the bass. Not really learning anything, Just playing.
 
#14
I am like you in that I am back in school after dripping out. I am in engineering, so what little time I do have, I spend it with my girlfriend and building my relationship with her. Which is much more important to me than bass playing. I still at a bit on Sundays at church, but that is it.

lowsound
 
#15
im in college right now and i'm on honor roll, and if i do say so myself i'm a pretty decent bassist. you just need to remember that school is first. then whatever time you have left over from classes and studying you can put towards your passions. personally i study maybe 5 hours a week, hang out with my girlfriend during the day and play a lot of bass late into the night. Thats just me though.
 
#19
dustklose said:
I am going to a school that also has a brick and motor campus, its just that with my current work and financial situation, I need to go online. They have a campus an hour from me, where most of my professors will teach from.
Click to expand...

Just because they have a brick and mortor campus does not guarantee they are accredited, unless it is one of the state-supported public two-year or four-year schools which are generally the cheapest option. And if your finances are dodgy (or even if they are not), do not do the student loan thing, you don't want to graduate with a degree and have a bunch of loans hanging over your head, no matter what kind of stories the school tells you.
 
#20
I'm a bass player and a professor.

School needs to win. I recognize the need for a life outside of college, but my job is to give students an education to prepare for life after college.

I like older students (and I teach at a traditional four-year residential college) because they usually understand that their education truly matters. They commit, dive in and put first things first.

I'd happily talk gear outside of class with students (did so yesterday,) but would have no patience with late or missed assignments due to bass playing.

Keep your eye on the prize. Really want your dream to come true? Commit to the steps that will lead to it.

Best wishes.
 

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