Sometimes I look back on my high school years and I can't even begin to imagine how any of it will ever be helpful to me. And I think that is the only way I'd be able to look back on high school if I hadn't been heavily involved in the band. While I do know that the knowledge I got from all those classes was prepping me for where I am now, I can easily say that those classes didn't change me very much as a person.
Meanwhile, marching band served to teach me so many incredibly helpful lessons and helped me become a little closer to the person I wanted to be.
It may come as a surprise to many people that marching band is actually a lot of work, but I can attest that it definitely required a lot of practice and a lot of attention devoted to it. My high school also had a marching band with a good reputation which meant that our directors expected even more than normal from us.
I can't say that during marching season I woke up each day excited to go to practice, but that didn't matter. I kept at it and put in as much effort as I could. Waking up early every day during the last few weeks of summer and waking up EXTRA early for early morning practice before school was a nightmare.
But looking back now, it was a nightmare I am incredibly happy and proud of myself for having endured.
All of that time spent with my nose to the grindstone even when it seemed pointless has given me a great sense of discipline. Something I've found to be incredibly helpful especially when it comes to powering through the school work that can easily pile up in college.
And so I can look back on my high school experience and feel that I accomplished something real during that time. Which is itself another lesson that band taught me. The present can be difficult, but that difficulty can mold you into a better person for having overcome its obstacles.
So here's to extracurriculars and how important they are!