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How would you balance college work and music practice?

Jean Rodriguez

Jean Rodriguez

Guest
Aug 19, 2015
236
186
30
San Juan, Puerto Rico
#1
Hi everyone, hope everything is going good on your side of things.

I started college last week and I have some questions/could use some advice from you guys on a few things. My professors are the type who like to assign something to read as homework or write a paper every single class they give and I take 5 classes that are like that. I can handle most of that fairly efficiently because the high school that I graduated from would constantly give us homework and tests on short notice. Things have started to become a bit overwhelming once the musical responsibilities started to kick in. I take an introduction to reading and theory class as well as being part of the jazz workshop (I thought it would be easy, but that workshop is a jazz head breeding ground and I'm the only rocker there).

Suddenly, I'm tasked with figuring out how to get home, do my homework, go to the gym, practice theory and harmony and bass technique because I forgot to mention that the jazz professor is a fellow bass player as well as a hard ass and takes no pity on people and kicks them out of the ensemble without mercy.

I've never had so many things on my plate before and I am beginning to feel overwhelmed (It's only the second week of classes, I don't want to remember that I have about 5 or 6 more years ahead of this). How would you guys handle this based on your personal experience in life and in general? I have to work on my sight reading more than anything because that has never been my strong suit. Just feel like I should mention that.

One final thing, also. Please don't think that I am complaining or whining about not wanting to do the work or am looking for excuses not to do it. I want to do the work and not fail, but I don't know how to go on about the time management. Any and all forms of advice are welcome.
 
#3
Are you majoring in music? If not, perhaps put off such hard music courses for when you have settled in a bit more.

Also, look into Bryan Tracy. He has books and audio on time management. He changed my life in so many ways. Every day when I go to work I can't help but imagine how much would get done and how much money in man hours we could save if half of our staff knew how to manage time well.

Ironically, you don't have time to stop and study how to manage time right now. His audio stuff is hours and hours long and you already have enough to read.

Welcome to adult life! I'm an employee, small side business owner, dad, husband, son, musician, church member, and and full time facilities and lawn maintenance man at Casa de Fingers. College isn't where you time crunch ends. It's where it STARTS.

I was literally talking with my wife about this last night. We have both come home from work the last few days and stayed in 5th gear until somewhere between 9 and 10 o'clock. Laundry, dishes, kids need to eat and get a bath, a 4 acre yard, a pool to clean, stuff to get ready for the next day, groceries to buy, etc. I hate to pay people to do things I am capable of doing but I finally made the call last night to an old friend (and amazing drummer) who runs a landscaping company. He'll be handling my yard for a few weeks at least. I may do the same with the pool.

The point is, you have choices to make my friend. You simply can't do it all. When exactly are you supposed to have any fun anyway? Life is too short to try to be everything. Be awesome at one thing, great at a couple more, and let others handle the rest. "You can't serve two masters at the same time" is somewhat true.

Best of luck with it.
 
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#5
It is all about time management. Here's the thing about college; when you were in high school, you were probably in class (or at least at the school) something like 30-35 hours a week, and then you had homework on top of that. In college, a standard class meets for 3 hours a week and, like you, most students take about 5 of them, for 15 hours a week class time. Most students seem to have the notion that the rest of their day is free time. It is not - it is work-independently time. You get to decide when you're going to do what, but you're still supposed to be a full-time student putting in full-time hours - 30-40 hours a week, maybe more at crunch time - at your job. Any outside work or extracurricular activities are in addition to that.

So, I would say, get on Google calendar or get a paper calendar and chart out your week, put in your class times and any other fixed obligations, plus time to eat, shower and sleep. Then block out five hours per class each week and put them in the calendar. (full time job = 40 hours/week, divide by 5 classes = 8 hours/week/class, - 3 hours classroom time, = 5 hours homework per class). Any extracurricular bands or other activities, part-time jobs, whatever, you schedule around that. Get an app on your phone or whatever to set alarms and keep to your schedule. If you can get the work done for each class RIGHT in less time than you've allotted, congratulations, you have free time, go reward yourself and have fun.
 
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#7
Step one, consider your tuition bill. Step two, look at how many hours of classes you are in - so many hours per week, so many weeks in the semester, subtract vacation/break weeks/days. Step 3, divide. Step 4, contemplate - probably a staggering number. Step 5, read hrodbert696's excellent advice. Step 6, repeat step 5, or steps 4 and 5.

There are 168 hours in a week. If you are not putting 40 or 50 of those into your schoolwork, you're cheating yourself, and probably your parents if they are funding your education. Unless you are a high-functioning insomniac, you'll be asleep for 56-70 of them, though 70 is rather self-indulgent. But say you put 70 into sleep and 50 into classes - there's still 48 on the table. Don't burn them all on social media.
 
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#8
T_Bone_TL said:
Step one, consider your tuition bill. Step two, look at how many hours of classes you are in - so many hours per week, so many weeks in the semester, subtract vacation/break weeks/days. Step 3, divide. Step 4, contemplate - probably a staggering number. Step 5, read hrodbert696's excellent advice. Step 6, repeat step 5, or steps 4 and 5.

There are 168 hours in a week. If you are not putting 40 or 50 of those into your schoolwork, you're cheating yourself, and probably your parents if they are funding your education. Unless you are a high-functioning insomniac, you'll be asleep for 56-70 of them, though 70 is rather self-indulgent. But say you put 70 into sleep and 50 into classes - there's still 48 on the table. Don't burn them all on social media.
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Yep (and thanks for step 5, I'm flattered). I think a staggering proportion of students cheat themselves on their education. It's like paying for a gym membership and never working out. Not saying that's what the OP is doing, but many do.
 
#9
Jloch86 said:
Tough call. I've dropped classes before because of things like this. What's your major?
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I'm a music major. Some have suggested that I drop the jazz workshop because it is what's causing me the most stress, but I can't because it's an actual class and it's how I got into the university. I didn't get good marks in high school so they let me in because of my musical talent.
 
#11
Sorry for not replying sooner, I had to read and practice the solo for "Giant Steps". I downloaded an app on my Note and iPad called MyHomework which serves as a weekly homework planner and gives you reminders about upcoming or recurring assignments. On Mondays, I have a 3 hour lunch break and on Thursdays, I have one class that runs from 9:00 am to 9:50 am and then the next one is at 1:00 pm. The way I see it, lunch usually takes me 30 minutes or 40 minutes depending on where I go, how full the place is and it usually is about 15 or 20 minutes if I pack a lunch from home and heat it up on one of the many microwave ovens that are distributed throughout campus. The library at the music faculty is usually empty and dead quite so I've been using to get my non musical homework done. That way, I can get home, change, grab a quick bite (the campus is big and I have to walk from one end of it to another so I burn off my food rather quickly and get hungry, again), go to the gym, get home, shower and practice the music related. It's how I best see it
 
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#13
...so you'll be learning something new to you, which is a GOOD thing. Aside from being faster, packing a lunch is almost always WAY cheaper, too. Perhaps even cheap enough to pack some snacks for when you get hungry again. Delighted that you have your priorities straight enough that we come hindmost. Indeed, you may seriously want to contemplate either cutting us off entirely for the semester or putting VERY strict scheduling limits on this (and similar) time-eating internet hangout(s).
 
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#14
T_Bone_TL said:
...so you'll be learning something new to you, which is a GOOD thing. Aside from being faster, packing a lunch is almost always WAY cheaper, too. Perhaps even cheap enough to pack some snacks for when you get hungry again. Delighted that you have your priorities straight enough that we come hindmost. Indeed, you may seriously want to contemplate either cutting us off entirely for the semester or putting VERY strict scheduling limits on this (and similar) time-eating internet hangout(s).
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I have almost everything on a loose schedule. I watch TV when I finished everything and am not too tired which also applies to this place and similar websites. Things like Facebook are on my phone but I just put it on vibrate or leave it in another room. Packing a lunch is cheaper, but you can't deny that there are days when one just craves something from the outside or just doesn't want re-heated food.
 
#15
Learning jazz is by far the most comprehensive area of music to study, even if you have no interest to be in a jazz ensemble, so I'd stick it out. As far as I'm concerned, if you can play jazz (improvise over simple/complex changes on the spot) you can play anything.

This experience will be worth it.
 
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#16
Assignments:
work in 1 hour blocks, you'll use your time a lot better this way. Try get as much done in that time, then move on to the next thing. Don't get swallowed up in it.

Muscle memory:
Play it in 5 minute chunks, repeated throughout the day, every single day. Use slight variations to make it sink in faster. Best method for fast learning.

Feedback:
Ask others to tell you BOTH what you did well and what still needs working on. Also ask them HOW they learned that, and try their method.
Immediate feedback & a method to improve is a fast way to sharpen your skills.


Be known as the guy that works hard, asks questions, and is continually improving his craft. Stay relaxed, be humble, and you'll make friends easily.


The first month or two can feel like hell, remember to enjoy yourself.
 
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#17
Welcome to the real world without mom to make your bed and dad to drive you to school.

Try to take it easy: cut the gym to saturday, sunday+ twice during the week. That will free up at least 6 hours during the week ( when you need them te most)
 
#18
drop school, get into construction or healthcare (xxxxx-technologist). get paid. learn what you want in your off time.

srsly tho, a gym? you're in college, not training for the olympics- watch what you eat, do core workouts after dinner.
 
#20
MattZilla said:
drop school, get into construction or healthcare (xxxxx-technologist). get paid. learn what you want in your off time.

srsly tho, a gym? you're in college, not training for the olympics- watch what you eat, do core workouts after dinner.
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Yes, seriously a gym. I was 253 pounds when I was in high school and I'm now at 216. I found a health food restaurant near the university and I began packing lunches. Funny you mention dropping out because before starting college, my dad told me about a few jobs that have decent pay and don't require a degree incase I ever considered dropping out
 

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