Academic Studies and Music , The perfect balance

[DoubleBlade]

I wonder how you SOFTies strike a balance between academic work and music?

It's not to say my studies are affected or anything but how do we as individuals strike a balance between these 2 entities?

Care to share any methods involved?

 

[Cheez]

Prioritise. At this stage, I would think academic work for you should be the priority and therefore should take more time. Music is probably a hobby - an important one. So will take less time.

Plan and organise your time-table.

It is good that you're thinking about it. He who fails to plan, plans to fail. The same goes throughout life. I need to learn to strike a balance between family and work - and I'm still learning.

 

[pooo]

I'm definitely one of those who do not balance out the time spent on music and academics. As far as academics is concerned, results have been less than desirable. In a way, it inhibits the amount of time one can fully focus on music, especially if you feel so believe so much in music. Then again, it's what you choose to study in tertiary education and so forth that really affects the way things turn out. In my case, i took the wrong course, i'm stuck with it all the way, pretty unhappy but there's nothing i can really do about it other than suck it up and try to put things back on track.

"He who fails to plan, plans to fail", thinking about this recalls to mind what Rusty Cooley said(not exact words, but it implies the same thing); "If you have a backup plan, you're planning to fail, so don't have one, just go all out for what you set out to do" Unfortunately this is Singapore, we can't ditch studies and just focus on music... Well these are just my thoughts...

 

[GuitarNoob]

I'm feel the same way as you too

 

[tany]

i keep getting low grades because i love guitar too much! just practise like mad everyday, that's why going to get into trouble man...but must pia year end then all will be happy for the year

 

[Cheez]

One useful tip - take playing your instrument as a "reward". Make sure you finish the school work first. Then playing becomes the reward. If school work is not finished, refrain from even touching your instrument. That will give you a strong impetus to get your work done properly and fast.

Takes a strong will though.

 

[Pyro]

Yes, I sometimes do what cheez does. If I'm behind my homework and teacher has been threatening to call parents which would in turn make them confiscate my bass (heart-breaking for me), I would do my work before playing my bass. I feel good later playing it after doing my work.

 

[blackductape]

i'm actually taking o'levels this year and haven't really touched my guitar for the past 2 weeks... only today some friends came over and ransacked my room and forced me to play.

academic-wise, im like in the worst express class with average class position. for now, my priority is 35% for music, 55% for studies and the other 10% for girls. hahaha. seems to be working for me now.

 

[ItAcHi]

hmm...basically i dont restrict myself from playing guitar...but of cos i make sure i do what i suppose to do 1st...

thats y i really envy my friend...he study in music school...and he major in guitar...so..he just play guitar whole day long

 

[azhiwen]

i just get my studies and revision done first then all my production work comes later at night as a sort of reward for working hard during the day...gotta be disciplined to finish off the work first though...

 

[zhifa]

you have to see what's ur priority. guitar can always play.. but O levels not good to take too many times =X same goes for major exams... for me i play my guitar when i am having breaks or after my studies.. occassionally i play to sleep...... =X

 

[therealslim]

Hmm

I left a good job in Singapore and went to LA to pursue my music degree. I'm a percussionist in a symphonic band and percussionists are in demand in LA. I also work with some record labels.
Oh yea, and i am taking bass lessons from Flea. :lol:
He's cool!

 

[Vaiyen]

fwah!good for you!

 

[NewGuy]

Haiz... I also can't juggle... so sad...

I haven't really study yet and tml is my common test.... Arrrrrrrrrrrrr!

 

[nunob]

Honestly speaking, I've never been able to find that perfect balance between the two. I'm always studying the night before common tests and all, often not sleeping to catch up on lost time. Most of my free time i spend doing music and guitar related stuff, be it reading up on theory or watching guitar instructionals or whatnot.

Sometimes i envy those studying in music schools, but then i think again. When passion becomes work, will it become more of a chore than just plain enjoyment? I cannot imagine the day i actually hate playing guitar.

Still I would kill to study in a music school..

 

[reyrey]

discipline -> this is all you need to balance both of them

 

[therealslim]

Its a joy to work in a music career. Passion-driven.
My friend is constantly being sent around the US to watch concerts free, and then write reviews about them. Flight, accom, limo, Concert ticket, Backstage pass to meet and interview band, all free. Priceless.

AND he gets paid.Paid gooood.

 

[Cloudsky]

When passion becomes work, will it become more of a chore than just plain enjoyment? ..

I experienced times when playing guitar seem to be a chore(mainly when I have to learn songs that I don't like in my guitar ensemble) and its still 100x times more fun than doing programming.

 

[reyrey]

after reading you post, i dun feel like growing up or going to work :twisted:

 

[Cloudsky]

Haha i'm only a 2nd yr poly student. Anything to do with programming is really zzzzzzzzzzzz(at least to me)