People like to voice their opinions about those of us who happen to be Fine Arts majors without actually understanding who we are or what we do. Contrary to popular belief, my life as a Fine Arts major is not just me singing and dancing around for a few hours a week, but I understand--most people aren't Fine Arts majors. To the majority of campus, we are just those mysterious students that chose to major in something that no one really understands in relation to the "real world." But never fear! If you are looking for an inside look into the life of a Fine Arts student, I'm here to help. Here are 13 things that happen when you are a Fine Arts major.
1. You constantly find yourself surrounded by people who are very dressed up.
"Exams" in Fine Arts often come in the form of a performance or presentation, where dressing up is required--literally.
2. But you are also regularly surrounded by people in yoga pants and t-shirts.
If you're not performing, there's a decent chance that you are rehearsing. The only way to dress for a long rehearsal is comfortably.
3. You are unfazed by people drumming, singing, and playing instruments anywhere and everywhere.
People can't seem to stop making music. Hear a pencil drumming in perfect rhythm? Probably the percussionist that sits behind you. Notice a trumpet blaring down the hall? Nothing unusual here.
4. You know everyone you pass in the hallways to the point that it sometimes feels like high school.
In the arts community in general, but especially on a college campus, everyone knows everyone. Walking from one class to another involves running into at least four people you know.
5. And on that note, your classes are super small.
All of your non-arts friends may be talking about their 300-person lectures, but the majority of your classes are small. This is both a blessing and a curse.
6. And all of those super small classes are in one of about three buildings.
Depending on how large your program is, you might have classes in a few buildings, but 90% of them are probably in some building that houses all of the rehearsal rooms and music theory classes and art studios.
7. Funding exists, but only kind of.
Think higher education funding is low? Take a look at the Fine Arts programs and you'll really feel it. We all know that grade schools are cutting the arts (and that is a MAJOR problem that needs fixing), but college programs feel the pain too.
8. You probably are taking a ton of credit hours.
People assume that Fine Arts majors have an easy course load. Tell that to those of us taking 17, 18, 21, 24 (TWENTY FOUR...I know these people personally) credit hours. And some of those are 1-hour credit ensembles were we are rehearsing upwards of 4 hours a week (explain to me how 4 hours a week equals 1 hour of credit for the semester!!!).
9. You find yourself googling things like, "how to make a homemade harmonica" and "art about cereal boxes" far too often.
Creativity is weird sometimes.
10. You don't know the answer to "what do you plan to do with that after graduation?" but you have a prepared speech that sounds like you sure do.
Yeah, we know--the arts are a hard place to work. There are pros and cons to whatever you do--we just choose to have the pro of "doing what you love." You may not know your exact future career path, but you sure are excited about it.
11. You don't sleep much. Or eat much.
Class 9-4, rehearsals of some kind 4-10, and then homework 10-sometime? Can I have a lunch break? Or dinner break? Or time to get more than six hours of sleep? Nope? Okay, cool.
12. But everyone is in the same boat.
You may not be involved in the exact same ensembles, but you're all busy. Some people are in musicals or plays, some are in the orchestra or band, others in choir, some are in their own personal bands, others in church choirs, still others a cappella groups, some are in drawing club or out showing their work at galleries--you get the point. You're all busy rehearsing with someone for something.
13. And at the end of the day, you're all doing what you love.
The passion of the people around you make it all worth it. The energy is infectious. The love is so real. And most days you still just can't believe that you finally get to study what you love.
To all my fellow Fine Arts majors--theatre, music, visual art, and beyond--enjoy the quirks, dance to the music, and keep on doing your thing.
