At the start of every semester I promise myself that this time I won't procrastinate. This time I won't skip a class. This time I won't forget about a meeting. Truth is, I always do. So, I have to stay extra on top of my stuff to ensure that everything is completed correctly and on time. Here are five things I do that make my semester a little easier.
1. Make a skip-sheet. People make fun of me for this all of the time, but I promise you, it works. Get a sheet of paper, write the name of each of your classes in one column, the allowed absences in another column, and then as you miss a class put a tally. I am not about to get a lower grade because I missed too many classes, but sometimes you just need to play a little hooky.
2. To-do lists. I cannot even tell you how much making a to-do list every day has saved my life. I make one every night for the following day with all of the tasks that need to be completed, in order of priority. I keep the list with me throughout the day so I can scratch off and add tasks as needed.
3. Make a syllabus sheet. In college, you generally get all of your due dates at the beginning of the semester, so that there is no excuse for late work. Once I have all of this information, I make a little sheet that I can post on my desk with all of the dates listed. I label it week one, week two, etc. with all of the assignments falling under the week they are due, and the exact date listed beside them. Each class is a different color, so I know which assignment is due, for what. It saves you from having to go back to each syllabus to figure everything out!
4. Set reminders. If you are a forgetful person, then you are going to need all of the help you can get. Writing it down simply may not be enough, so set a reminder in your phone. Any meeting, appointment, or deadline that I have is set in my phone with a reminder two days, two hours, and 30 minutes prior.
5. Planner. My planner is my life. It holds everything from appointments, more to-do lists, meetings, class times and grocery lists, to planned meals. Get one, use it regularly, and never be left behind.
Now, go out there and show this semester who is boss!
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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
StableDiffusion
The Illusion of Creativity
AI-generated music is often marketed as “artistic” or “educational.” But what does it really teach?
- That style can be replicated without understanding.
- That emotion can be simulated without feeling.
- That effort can be bypassed with a prompt.
For young creators, this sets a dangerous precedent. Why learn to play guitar when an algorithm can do it faster? Why study harmony when AI can generate chord progressions in seconds? The risk isn’t just laziness — it’s the loss of depth, discipline, and the tactile joy of creation.
I have listened to several AI-generated music covers. My initial reaction was one of considerable impressiveness, particularly regarding the reimagining of classic pop hits in diverse genres with novel arrangements. Here is one good example a-ha — Take On Me
However, after engaging with several such Ai generated song covers, a sense of emotional detachment emerged, attributable to the perceived absence of human artistry and genuine sentiment, resulting in a technically flawless yet ultimately soulless auditory experience.
Copyright in Crisis
What does the copyright law say about AI generated music, especially in field of music covers. Who is liable for copyright in this case, AI developers, people who used AI to generate music or people who published it on music platforms?
Recent lawsuits show that the music industry is pushing back hard:
- Universal, Sony, and Warner sued AI music platforms Suno and Udio in 2024 for allegedly training their models on copyrighted songs without permission Ars Technica The Lyon Firm.
- They’re seeking up to $150,000 per infringed song, arguing that the AI outputs resemble famous tracks and voices (e.g., Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson).
- These lawsuits target the developers of the AI tools — but they raise broader questions:The legal gray area is training data. Courts haven’t yet ruled definitively on whether using copyrighted songs to train AI counts as infringement or fair use Sites at USC.
But who’s liable?
Role | Legal Risk | Why |
AI Developers | ✅ High | For training on copyrighted material without licenses. |
Users | ⚠️ Moderate | If they intentionally recreate protected works. |
Publishers/Platforms | ✅ High | For distributing infringing content. |
The grey area lies in training data. Courts haven’t yet ruled definitively on whether using copyrighted songs to train AI counts as infringement or fair use. Meanwhile, AI-generated works themselves aren’t eligible for copyright unless a human provides substantial creative input — leaving them in legal limbo.
The Educational Mirage
Some argue that AI music helps people learn genres, production styles, or vocal techniques. But this “education” often lacks context. It’s like learning to paint by watching a printer — technically impressive, but creatively hollow.
True musical education involves:
- Struggle and iteration: Learning through mistakes.
- Emotional connection: Expressing what words can’t.
- Cultural lineage: Understanding the roots of sound.
AI shortcuts bypass all of this. And in doing so, they risk flattening the rich terrain of human creativity into a sterile landscape of algorithmic mimicry.
Why This Fight Matters
This isn’t just about music. It’s about the future of art, storytelling, and human expression. If we allow machines to dominate creative spaces, we risk turning culture into content — optimized, monetized, and devoid of soul.
We must ask: Do we want a world where art is made by machines, or one where machines help humans make better art?
5 Key Takeaways
- AI-generated music blurs the line between innovation and erosion in the creative arts
- AI-generated music raises questions about copyright, culture, education, and artistic expression
- AI-generated music can replicate style without understanding, simulate emotion without feeling, and bypass effort with a prompt
- AI-generated music sets a dangerous precedent for young creators by potentially leading to a loss of depth, discipline, and joy of creation
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