squiggly note

Sometimes you’re super busy. Sometimes you have the ten minute passing periods between classes as your only free time from 8 am to 9 pm. I’ve been there - it sucks. Here’s how to get yourself through the day when you just don’t have time.

• Eat something with nutritional value.
  
• Ideas to bring with you: an apple, a protein bar, a can of pop-top soup and a microwaveable container.
• Fill up your water bottle.
  
• Please, please hydrate! Dehydration headaches make life hard.
• Take a body-awareness break.
  
• Close your eyes and be aware of yourself. What hurts? What’s comfortable? What temperature is the air around you? Just be aware of yourself and your body for a moment.
• Text someone you care about.
  
• Tell your favorite relative you love them.
• Write down one thing you’re grateful for or happy about.
  
• “I’m grateful that I only have to be on campus another two hours” counts!
• Figure out something you can delegate.
  
• If there’s anything in your life that you can politely and reasonably ask for help with, do it. Sometimes you can’t pick up the milk on your way home. Sometimes having to send out the club email update today is just too much. Ask for help!
• Stretch and relax.
  
• If you write or play instruments, find a set of carpal tunnel stretches. Otherwise, just do some basic stretches for the whole body.
• Compliment yourself.
  
• Hey, you’re doing pretty good. Tell yourself one thing you’ve done well today - you remembered to bring a lunch, you got to class on time, you’re wearing your favorite sweater - whatever!
• Compliment someone else.
  
• It will make both of you happier.
• Doodle.
  
• Draw your favorite animal, or copy desk graffiti. Lose yourself in your sketch for a little bit.
• Look out the window and pay attention to what you see.
  
• Watch the clouds or the birds and remember that the outside world exists.
• Wash your hands with hot water.
  
• Honestly, hot water feels so good at 3pm of a 10 hours day. Also, it will help keep you from getting sick!
• Say no to something.
  
• “No, I’m not available to take that shift.” “Sorry, I can’t help you with your homework, I have to write a paper.” You deserve to have time to yourself - saying no to someone else’s request does not make you a bad person.
• Take some intentional deep breaths
  
• Breath in for 4, hold for 4, and breath out for a count of 8. Do this a couple times and you’ll feel calmer.
• Mute social media.
  
• When you’re super stressed is not the best time for your phone to be bleeping about your great-aunt’s instagram. Mute all notifications, or turn your phone off for a while.
• Do something small for someone else.
  
• Help someone pick up something they dropped. Hold a door for someone. Offer someone some gum or a cough drop. It’s a simple connection that helps shape the world to be slightly nicer.

Add your favorite quick self-care tips below! 

If this or my post “How to Handle Having TOO MUCH TO DO” has helped you, buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi or check out my Patreon!

First seen on my blog and Patreon! 

My life has been a series of big tests. ACT, SAT, AP, GRE, comps, finals, etc., etc., etc. I’m even looking into a day job career path that would leave me with another eight years of these things. If you’re in the same boat, you’ve probably realized that studying for these things sucks. It does, so here’s how to study for a big important test without tearing your hair out.

Start early. The latest I would start studying for a big test is two months beforehand. Your brain needs time to absorb things. By spacing out all the material over a 60-day period, you give yourself time to learn, to review, and to find new resources. Starting early also helps you avoid the stress of trying to cram. It’s better all around!

Make a plan of attack. Sometime at the beginning, figure out how you want to study. Are there multiple sub-topics included in the test? Are you stronger in one area than another? Do you have a week coming up when you know you won’t be able to study at all? Figure this stuff out, and you’ll be much calmer for your test.

Take practice tests. Confidence is key in taking tests, and the best way to build confidence is to have experience. Find practice tests and practice questions for the test - you can frequently find them online. You can also get books for big national tests like the ACT, SAT, and GRE, that will guide you through the process of taking the tests. Find a cheap one and just use it for the experience, if nothing else!

Work with others. If you can make a study group for a test, you’ll have a much better time! It’s easier to make yourself study if others are holding you to it. You and your friends can also team up to make sure no one has any gaps in their understanding of the subject or how the test works. You can quiz each other, review each other’s essay questions - the sky’s the limit!

Practice guessing on multiple choice questions. This may sound weird, but guessing on a multiple choice question is totally a skill. Go find a practice test for a subject you don’t know much about, and then guess your way through it. Try to reason your way through the answers from what you do know - “well, this answer just seems silly, and that one doesn’t sound right. It’s probably A or C, and I think C makes more sense.” Honestly, this skill has served me so, so well in my academic career. In the real world, you often have to guess between options and hope the one you chose was the best. If you figure out how to do that better in a relatively low-stakes scenario, you’ll help yourself out.

Know that your value as a person is not equal to your test score. A high test score does not validate your existence. A low test score is not a death knell. You’re the same person regardless of whether you get a 5 in AP-USH or a 19 on the ACT. They are independent from each other. You’re going to be okay regardless, I promise.

Go forth and study! You’ve got this!

If you liked this or feel bad for all the tests I have to prepare for, buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi!

howtomusicmajor:

First seen on my Patreon and website!

There are a lot of majors out there that supposedly “don’t have jobs.” You may have heard that you “can’t just get a job at the Philosophy factory,” or that tenure-track professorships are going away. Fair enough. However, unemployment is currently at a decade low, which means all these philosophy and music and history majors are finding work somewhere. How? Well, my guess is that a lot of them know how to convince employers that their skills are useful. Here are five skill sets you can learn in any major.

Event management. Have you planned a recital? Do you help out with student organizations? Have you ever figured out who was going to bring the chips to the next meeting? You’re beginning to develop event management skills. Start volunteering to take on responsibilities for larger events. If you can point to a big event you’ve pulled off, you’ll have an incredible industry-crossing resume booster.

Writing. Being able to clearly communicate over text is a hugely important skill. Don’t brush off papers and English classes - go to the Writing Center offered by your school if you need help. Being able to write clearly is important for program notes, resumes, biographies, grant-writing, and a million other things, both related to music and otherwise. Start a blog (like this one!). Put in a little more effort on your next paper. See if you can work at your school’s newspaper. It all helps.

Programming. This may not be for everyone, but if you enjoy music theory, you probably have the right kind of brain for coding. It’s all problem-solving with numbers and weird terms and formats. Taking a programming course or two in your undergrad could lead to freelancing opportunities, a day job, or even just a better understanding of how to build your personal website. You can also study online through a whole bunch of resources, include The Odin Project, Codecademy, and the app SoloLearn.  

General leadership. Join the board of a student org. Get a job as a house manager. Become an RA - free housing! Go to leadership training events. Anything that helps you get the feel for being in charge of a group of people is going to be so, so helpful to you in the long term, especially if you plan on directing, conducting, teaching, or otherwise leading any group of musicians ever. Plus, it will be very helpful on future resumes.

Problem-solving and research. Take your history courses seriously - they are where you’re going to learn a lot of research skills. Ditto your music theory classes - they will teach you how to figure stuff out when it’s dense, confusing, or just weird. Use your library access as much as you can. Learn how to google effectively, because the ability to teach yourself something quickly can make you stand out. Understanding how to find the answer to a question is a skill EVERYONE needs. Rarely in the real world will there be a textbook assigned to a situation. If you know how to figure stuff out on your own, you’re going to be able to do a lot more in life.

Now go forth and learn stuff. You got this!

Like this post? Buy me a coffee!

First seen on my Patreon and website!

There are a lot of majors out there that supposedly “don’t have jobs.” You may have heard that you “can’t just get a job at the Philosophy factory,” or that tenure-track professorships are going away. Fair enough. However, unemployment is currently at a decade low, which means all these philosophy and music and history majors are finding work somewhere. How? Well, my guess is that a lot of them know how to convince employers that their skills are useful. Here are five skill sets you can learn in any major.

Event management. Have you planned a recital? Do you help out with student organizations? Have you ever figured out who was going to bring the chips to the next meeting? You’re beginning to develop event management skills. Start volunteering to take on responsibilities for larger events. If you can point to a big event you’ve pulled off, you’ll have an incredible industry-crossing resume booster.

Writing. Being able to clearly communicate over text is a hugely important skill. Don’t brush off papers and English classes - go to the Writing Center offered by your school if you need help. Being able to write clearly is important for program notes, resumes, biographies, grant-writing, and a million other things, both related to music and otherwise. Start a blog (like this one!). Put in a little more effort on your next paper. See if you can work at your school’s newspaper. It all helps.

Programming. This may not be for everyone, but if you enjoy music theory, you probably have the right kind of brain for coding. It’s all problem-solving with numbers and weird terms and formats. Taking a programming course or two in your undergrad could lead to freelancing opportunities, a day job, or even just a better understanding of how to build your personal website. You can also study online through a whole bunch of resources, include The Odin Project, Codecademy, and the app SoloLearn.  

General leadership. Join the board of a student org. Get a job as a house manager. Become an RA - free housing! Go to leadership training events. Anything that helps you get the feel for being in charge of a group of people is going to be so, so helpful to you in the long term, especially if you plan on directing, conducting, teaching, or otherwise leading any group of musicians ever. Plus, it will be very helpful on future resumes.

Problem-solving and research. Take your history courses seriously - they are where you’re going to learn a lot of research skills. Ditto your music theory classes - they will teach you how to figure stuff out when it’s dense, confusing, or just weird. Use your library access as much as you can. Learn how to google effectively, because the ability to teach yourself something quickly can make you stand out. Understanding how to find the answer to a question is a skill EVERYONE needs. Rarely in the real world will there be a textbook assigned to a situation. If you know how to figure stuff out on your own, you’re going to be able to do a lot more in life.

Now go forth and learn stuff. You got this!

Like this post? Buy me a coffee!

lavenderviolist:

Tips for Self-Taught Musicians:

1. Find out as much as possible

Always always always research the things you’re trying to do, even if you think you already know how. Without a teacher, it’s so difficult to correct your mistakes and doing research is one of the ways to get around this. As an example, I have recently been watching a lot of videos on just how to hold my instrument so that I can address the problems I’ve been having with tension and pain.

2. Have an agenda and stick to it.

Research the repertoire for your level and pick a piece. Find a book of studies on something you want to improve and actually commit to doing one or two studies each week. Commit to finishing your etude books and moving onto the next one. Not sure what a particular etude is trying to teach? Look it up! Especially for the more common books like Wohlfahrt and Kreutzer there’s tons of resources that direct you to the skill each etude is focusing on.

3. Play infront of a mirror and make recordings.

This is SO important. If you don’t have a teacher to watch and point out incorrect technique you’ll wind up with poor form if you can’t see it in yourself and correct it. I know video recordings suck but they’re great for getting an objective look at what you’re doing. Not sure why that shift isn’t working? Make a video and examine exactly what’s happening before during and after you have an issue. This is also great for deciding when to give yourself a pass on etudes or other rep.

4. Watch the professionals.

This is how you figure out what good technique looks like. Look at different schools and styles of playing. Critique them too! Didn’t like how that played that passage? What would make it better? Look at how they hold themselves and their instruments. Listen for how they shape phrases instead of just feeling it emotionally. Are there patterns? Listen to several recordings of the piece you’re working on. What do you like? What don’t you like?

5. Be charitable with yourself

A good teacher always compliments a student on something they did well and will never give destructive criticism. Do the same with yourself. Build a growth-mindset. Being able to notice your mistakes is an incredible power that tells you what you need to work on.

6. Keep a practice journal.

I’m a huge advocate of them and I think they can be incredibly powerful tools to organize your practice sessions, take notes, reflect constructively, and see your progress.

7. For the sake of all that is good please practice your scales.

They’re so good for building your skills. Already know them? Add another octave. Practice different rhythms. Play them faster. Practice different bowings. Practice your vibrato. Play different modes. There’s so much to learn from scales no matter who you are. (Yes really)

8. Play in an ensemble.

Learning from your peers can be very powerful. Ask them what they find difficult. Ask them about technique you have difficulty with. Ask them to listen to you play. Getting feedback from your peers is probably the closest you can get to having a teacher without actually having a teacher.

This isn’t an exhaustive list but I wanted to share some tips for self-teaching that I find are helpful. I know this is kind of strings based but I think basically all of these are relevant to other instruments as well. Let me know what you think!

These are useful tips regardless of whether you have a teacher!

(via elliefluteelephant)

howtomusicmajor:

12 months before: Maybe, perhaps, possibly mention the recital when choosing repertoire.

6 months before: Consider starting the scheduling process for the recital. Decide against it, that sounds like work and you have plenty of time.

5 months before: Check the recital hall calendar, realize there’s only two weekends still open during the month you want to have your recital. Panic and get it scheduled ASAP.

4 months before: Actually decide what you’re going to perform on your recital. Choose at least two pieces because they sound cool even though you’ve never seen the sheet music.

3 months and 3 weeks before: Realize that the pieces you chose because they sound cool are REALLY FREAKING HARD. But you can’t change them because that would be wimping out. Apologize to your accompanist for what you’ve accidentally done to them.

3 months before: Actually start practicing stuff in earnest.

2 months before: Realize this is going to be the best recital in the history of EVER, you’re going to have this in the bag.

1 month before: Realize that there is no way this is all going to come together in time, it’s going to be awful, panic.

3 weeks before: Start practicing truly obsessively. Alternate with avoiding the practice room at all costs. 

2 weeks before: Finally memorize/solidify that one piece. Take a deep breath. Panic a little less.

1 week before: Do your dress rehearsal. Learn what still needs work. Feel calm.

6 days before: PANIC.

2 days before: Decide that you’ve hit the point of no return, and move into calm one final time. It’s gonna be okay.

Day of: Be a little numb, outside of obsessive, ritualistic preparations like drinking hot Emergen-C and doing lip-trill runs. Do the performance.

Afterwards: REJOICE IN YOUR FREEDOM. Become a little sad that you no longer have a goal to practice for. Remember the next thing you need to prepare for. Repeat from beginning.

Ah yes, I see I have once again returned to stage 2: 6 months before. I have my rep largely picked this time, at least.

(via thestressedsaxophonist)

Practice is one of those all-pervasive things in the music world that no one ever really seems to fully pin down. Tons of people have theories or guides, but there is no definitive single way that is the Best Way to Practice. It’s different for everyone. One of the things that everyone disagrees on is when to practice - morning? Night? Noon? Any minute you’re not in class, eating, or sleeping? There’s so many conflicting options!

Here’s the How To Music Major guide to choosing a practice time.

Figure out what times of day you are most awake and alert. I run out of brain as the day progresses. I am most awake before 2 pm, and I have the most focus then. Focus is key to successful practice. If you feel wide-awake and ready to go at 8 pm, then consider practicing then. If you love the sunrise and being awake before the mailman invigorates you, then practice at 7 am. Do what works for you.

Figure out when your instrument works best. This is probably mostly a thing for vocalists - my voice feels different throughout the day. I talk a lot and I’m loud, so my voice tends to be less than awesome at the end of the day unless I’m specifically focusing on saving it. However, first thing in the morning I haven’t talked enough, and i have to spend a lot longer warming up so I don’t do myself a harm. Instrumentalists, you can consider weather in this - it’s probably not great to practice violin first thing after walking to school in the freezing cold, unless your gloves are awesome. Literally let yourself warm up first.

Avoid times directly after an ensemble or other rehearsal. Rest is important. If I practice after choir, I know I’m going to be a little vocally tender the next day, so I have to practice beforehand. If you sit for two hours in orchestra, only to go and sit somewhere else for another three hours without a nice stretch in between, you’re going to risk carpal tunnel. Take breaks!

Remember that you need food and stuff too. No, for real, take breaks!! Leaving a half hour of downtime every couple hours in my schedule has made this semester SO much nicer. I start to get really hangry if I have to focus for more than four hours without anything but a power bar. By leaving lunch time and downtime and socialization in my schedule, I can restore my focus and buy less queso to go. It’s great.

Be respectful of others’ time. If you practice at home, don’t practice before 9 am or after 8 pm. Don’t be the loud trumpet neighbor - no on likes loud trumpet neighbor. Also, if you’re practicing some sort of shared instrument or in a shared space, be strict with your practice times. The organ is only yours for the hours you reserved it, and the practice room you had to reserve for is coveted for a reason.

Once you’ve considered all these factors, the best time for you should be fairly obvious. I practice at 11 am every day, because I’m awake, I’m coherent, and I haven’t sung in choir yet. It’s been very successful for me so far, and I bet your perfect time will be too!