Berklee College of Music is well-known for many things; one of the most significant being its reputation. The most common description of Berklee's reputation is that Berklee with its esteemed professors, latest technology, and resources is the place where all aspiring contemporary musicians belong. The other less common perception of Berklee is at the other end of the spectrum. Some have said that Berklee has a high drop-out rate, and that it's hard to make friends and be successful here. In my opinion, both of these extremes are true, because whether you succeed or not is up to you.

Last semester, I flew out to Chicago right after my last Friday class to go visit one of my best friends for her birthday. She had asked me to fly out a month before the semester started, and I was hesitant to oblige without knowing what my schedule would be like. I moved forward with it, because I love her, and I was alsoknowing full well that I would have to plan accordingly ahead of time in case I had to miss classes.

When I received my schedule at the end of orientation week, I realized that my Writing and Communications class was on Friday from 5:00 to 5:50, and thinking ahead, I knew I would have to miss a class since I would have to leave campus by 4:00 in order to get to the airport in time to catch my flight. My schedule got changed during the first week of classes.I had AP credit, so I no longer needed to take Writing and Communications, which meant that my last class would end at 3:50 every Friday including the Friday I would fly out to Chicago.

As the days passed and I got into the swing of things, I made a plan of actionto ensure that I wouldn't miss out on any aspect of my education or be unprepared. I packed my bag after classes Thursday night, and I scheduled my ride for pick up right after my 3:00 MAT class. Even though my flight was delayed, I made it to the airport on time.

After a jam-packed whirlwind of an awesome weekend, I landed back in Boston at 2:00 AM on Monday morning. Lugging my unreasonably heavy duffel bag on my shoulder and my cary-on backpack on my back, I made it back to 150 at 2:30 AM. Climbing into bed, I got 5 hours of light sleep before my 9:00 AM Ear Training 1class.As exhausted as I was, I hauled myself down from my bunk, picked up my backpack,with my cane in hand, I stumbled groggily throughmy day like a walking zombie in the same clothes I had on when I got back, because those were the consequences.

What's the point of this story, you ask? It's that I chose to succeed that day, and I choose to do so every day. I could've slept in and missed both of my morning classes, but I showed up and didn't waste an absence I might really need one day. I could've disregarded the homework I had over the weekend and fallen behind instead of completing it in advance and on the plane. I could've taken my education for granted, but I didn't. I am fortunate enough to even be a part of this community, and even more so to have scholarships, so I would never do anything to jeopardize my education or take it for granted.

To all my fellow Berklee peers, even if you don't have scholarships, you should take advantage of your experience here not only because a large amount of money is being paid for you to attend, but because you made it here, and so many people would love and appreciate nothing more than to be in your shoes and have access to all that you do. Don't listen to what others think about Berkleeor you, but listen to yourself and what you know. There are so many opportunities to pursue here at Berklee and so many resources to utilize, so go after them, because they won't come after you. Be serious about following your dreams, because you don't have to suppress yourself as a performer or a person. Embrace and learn as much as you can, and cultivate relationships. Don't be anyone but yourself, because this is a safe place for expression. Most of all, always choose to succeed, because Berklee is what you make it.