Music majors have it rough. Lots of classes for little-to-no credit, long nights studying music theory and ear training, and practicing. Lots and lots of practicing.

If you’re a vocalist or a pianist, this means practicing for memorization’s sake for your jury. If you’re an instrumentalist, you’re practicing for your ensemble(s) and your juries, and you’re rehearsing for a longer period of time. There’s a lot going on for finals week, and I finally made it out.

I’m a first-year college student, studying music education and perfecting my vocal training. With that, I am happy to say that I survived my first finals week!

I had eight finals. Although not all of them were exams, four of them had written components that required significant effort – practice was required for four of them as well. Four of these finals were in one day – that is, my diction presentation, my voice jury (singing in front of all the voice faculty), my piano final, and my music theory exam.

This was a long day. The first few days were easy; later on in the week, I had both a written exam for ear training and a singing exam on the same day, along with an in-class essay. I’m proud to say that I survived finals week, but it wasn’t easy. Here’s how I did it.

1. Practicing

Although I only had to meet with my pianist for a certain amount of time, I put more time in than I needed to. It was my escape: I could sing my stress away, and actually get work done for my jury.

2. Cookie D­ō

My parents, bless their hearts, shipped me some cookie dough from this incredible place in New York City. It definitely helped.

3. Friends

Music majors stick together! The night before the voice juries began, most of the voice majors went to our concert hall and sang for each other, without music, just to get through it once before the actual event. I think I was more nervous to perform in front of them than I was for the actual judges. Singing for my friends helped me jump start the process of getting over a mental block I had put in place. This thespian can sing classical music, and sing it well, and I have my friends to thank for getting me to realize it.

4. Family

I called my parents the day before finals for a pep talk… Sometimes, you just need a good ol’ heart-to-heart with Mom and Dad. Oh, and I had to thank them for the cookie dough.

5. Passion

I’m a music major because music is my life. Classical music, musical theatre, contemporary classical music – I love it all. I love how performing makes me feel, and I love making music with others.

I survived finals week because I love what I’m doing in college. Yeah, it might be the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and there will definitely be more sleepless nights along the way (I’m looking at you, Music of the Medieval/Renaissance/Baroque Eras), but I wouldn’t choose to study anything else.

In the meantime, I’m really looking forward to five weeks of snuggling with my cat and not having late-night practice sessions, but I can’t wait for the music next semester will bring.