Swope can be some people's second homes, and with spending so much time there, you begin to pick up on other peoples habits. Just think about everything you do that is the same as the majority of the people that walk in and out of that building a few times a day. I'm sure you have plenty of your own experiences with the vending machine, Presser, and all of the practice rooms. So, to the music majors at West Chester University: this one's for you.
1. You spend countless hours in Swope.
The majority of your classes are in Swope. You may have one or two general education classes in a different building, but it's one of the only times you leave. Half of your homework is trying to practice for at least two hours a day. Any other homework you have doesn't take as long and can be done with other friends.
2. Most of your free time is spent in the second-floor lounge or the Presser Library.
It would be pointless for you to walk 20 minutes' round trip to your dorm only have to be back for a class within the hour when you can sit in the lounge or the library. If you have actual work to do, it's even easier considering there are tables in both places and someone is bound to walk by who will be willing to help you if you need it. Also, the library has super comfy chairs you can (but probably shouldn't) fall asleep in if you need a quick power nap.
3. Your bank account is low because you consider a bag of chips from the vending machine to be a meal.
Sometimes, you only have 30 minutes to eat dinner going from ensemble to ensemble. It's easier to walk up a flight of stairs, swipe a card, and push some buttons all to get a snack rather than walking 10 minutes to quickly grab something from Chick-fil-A and having to shove it down your throat within five to ten minutes.
4. You pray you don't make a mess because there are no paper products in Swope.
That snack and/or drink you just bought from the vending machine? You better not spill any of it or smear food on something or you're going to the bathroom to get a roll of one-ply toilet paper to soak up an entire water bottles worth of water (Trust me. I've been there. It's not fun.)
5. You sigh in defeat when your favorite practice room is taken.
There's nothing worse than having all of your equipment in your arm as you walk down the hallway only to hear someone practicing in the practice room you have unofficially claimed as yours. It's even worse when they change the set up you prefer in the room. When they finally leave, you need to put everything back to the way you had it before they messed everything up.
6. You throw a tantrum when all of the practice rooms are taken.
How is it that now that you've finally decided you're going to practice, so has every other musician in the world and you now have nowhere to practice? It's so common to have all of the practice rooms taken Thursday mornings before studio or in the middle of the day. When it comes to weekends and nights, though, you could just about hear a pin drop.
7. Playing in studio hour is your least favorite part of the week.
You enjoy listening to your fellow peers play for you before you get critiqued because everyone is just so good. When it comes to you, though, you'd rather sit in the back row and comment on everyone's performance instead of actually standing in front of the room to have people tell you everything you know you did wrong (but trust me, the criticism is greatly appreciated!)
8. You know which professors you'd rather die than take their class.
Because all of your classes are in the same building, you get to experience different professors or get to hear about how bad they could be. Some you just can't avoid whatsoever. With others, though, you spend hours working on your schedule so you don't have them (thanks, Ram Band, for priority scheduling!)
9. You feel the need to dress up on Thursday because "BGT" is a thing - even if you aren't a part of it.
In general, the people of Swope constantly look their best - at least compared to the people who roll out of bed to make it to their second general-education class of the day. Specifically, looking as good as you can on a Thursday is important. Some of the S.I.G.M.A. organizations participate in BGT (Big Girl Thursday) so if you don't look your best, you'll stick out like a sore thumb.
10. You have no time to socialize with your non-music major friends.
There are days where you wake up at 7 a.m. and only get to leave Swope for an hour for lunch and then you end your day at 7 p.m. That doesn't take into account your practice time and other homework that needs to be completed. Occasionally you also need time to yourself and sleep is a necessity even if you only get a few hours in. However, the FOMO really starts to set in the more you go without your other friends.
11. Lessons and ensembles are the best and worst things you've experienced.
There are days where lessons and rehearsal time is rough and nothing is coming nicely together. There are also days where you hear the progress you as an individual and the ensemble as a whole is making. There are rehearsals you have where you feel the need to drop out, and there are others that leave goosebumps on your skin for days afterward.
12. Overall you don't want to leave Swope.
As tired as you get spending every waking second within that building, it has become your second home. The family you've gained through the building are always there to support you as a musician and love to watch you succeed whether it had been a bad practice week or not. That building is where memories and friendships are made and will last a lifetime.
