And so it began...

My first years at Converse were interesting. One day I would have so little to do that I knew not what to do with myself, then the next day, I hardly had time to eat! It was a strange phenomenon for me. I didn't have to ask anyone's permission. However, getting used to living on your own is no easy task.

The simplest thing you can do for yourself is time management. Schedule absolutely everything: class assignments, practice times, eating, sleeping, and for goodness' sake, take showers!  My schedule helped me through my busiest days, especially those before tests and exams. With work comes reward, so when you're done with school work, you can then do whatever you want! Fascinating, isn't it?

But it took me a while to get the hang of actually doing it. I remember my first five weeks of lessons with my private vocal professor. I had a completely new singing voice that sounded horrid to my own ears, but to my professor it was gold compared to the voice I used for years. I even got a gold star sticker in my first lesson, and it's still on my laptop screen to this day! By week four, I knew she was getting very aggravated with me because I absolutely lacked in progress to learn my music. I hadn't had a second star yet, and I wasn't anywhere close to getting one, either. The week after that, I played, listened to, and sang my music for 20-30 minutes every day. That's when my singing practice really paid off. I then knew how to practice by myself, and it was worth the time and effort.

If you learn how to control yourself in the beginning, you will be much better off in the long-run. Learn how to study, make a schedule for yourself, and stick to it! You can't go wrong there.

Time Management, who?

Taking my role as a college freshman, I expected to have later classes. Wrong! Every weekday class starts promptly at 8:30 am -- not that I'm complaining! I have an extra hour of sleep since I don't have to drive to class anymore; I just walk and I'm there in a heartbeat! Mornings aren't that bad because waking up is not a problem for me. Breakfast is my motivation! However, going to bed on time is a real problem.
I want to be in bed and falling asleep by 11:00 or 11:30, at the latest. Let's just say it never happens. I'm either on Facebook, getting last-minute homework assignments in, or visiting my fellow dorm-mates. This "going to bed early" thing stinks. And my motivation to study is just as undisciplined.

Facebook is just a click away, and Dearblankpleaseblank.com is just waiting to be read! These websites are simply made for procrastinators like me! As much as I love music, and as much as I want to be a chorus teacher, I greatly dislike music theory. I admit I skipped studying with MacGamut for a few days, but I eventually get all of my work done, so it doesn't really matter when I do it, right?

I'm going to automatically assume that's a big, fat negative. A step in the right direction has been made, though!  I've written up my future schedule for studying everything from Music History to French 101. Hopefully I have enough discipline to stick with it, but this might take some serious work...

Procrastinators, unite! ...tomorrow.

Cereal vs. Sandwiches

College is education like no other. It isn't free, continuing an education post-high school is an obvious choice for most, but where does one begin such a journey? Usually it's through a college fair or hearing other high school students talking about one or another. Converse, however, was completely new to me. I had never heard of it before, and no one I knew at my school ever talked about it. Regardless, Converse drew me in.

When I first arrived, Converse had a buzz of excitement that other schools simply did not have, and one I was looking for. Though supremely expensive, Converse scholarships and Federal Aid knocked out nearly half of my tuition. Soon enough, I was in the audition rooms, receiving acceptance letters, and then packing only a couple months later to move into my dorm. The encouragement shown throughout the community of Converse got me through it all, and now, I'm through my first week of classes. But the support is not the only reason I am here.

The music program is amazing. There is no explaining it; only that if you want to major in music, you have to consider Converse. It's a no-brainer!

If I had to give up either cereal or sandwiches, it would have to be the latter. Cereal is a great snack, and perfect if you don't want a heavy breakfast. If you ask me, cereal is much healthier and tastes better!