This may or may not be true with professors of larger classes, but within my Music Education-Oriented classes (music theory, ear training, etc.), they are very understanding since we all know each other on a more personal level vs. professors of larger classes not knowing who every 100+ student is off the top of their head.
I will say, in my large lecture Intro to Psych. class I had this past semester, she was very understanding when I needed to take an exam early due to a minor surgery I needed.
Basically, as long as you keep in touch with them through email, everything tends to go smoothly
3.When people tell you to save up, LISTEN
This really came to bite me in the ass.
I had worked as a nanny for my aunt the summer of 2019 (right before I left for college) and I was making a good chunk of money a week. I had every intention of saving a lot of it but then the "perfect decorations for my dorm" popped up and I convinced myself I needed everything I could think of for my dorm and the truth is, I didn't.
There are so many random fees, which came out of NOWHERE, that I ended up having to scrape up for to pay out of pocket (even though my tuition was covered from grants/loans/scholarships).
This is by far my biggest tip for anyone going to college.
SAVE. UP.
You won't regret it, I promise.
4.You will be BUSY
Again, I'm sure people from all majors can somewhat relate, but especially for music majors like myself, it gets ROUGH.
Nobody tells you about the number of events you need to attend a semester, or that you'll always have to be up early for your classes. You know your neighbor in the residence hall who doesn't have classes on Fridays or Wednesdays? Yeah, you have class until 3 or 4 every single day.
I feel like I am always drowning in stuff to attend and homework to do, but its fine because I love music… right?
School literally becomes your life, especially when you live on campus your first year. There isn't a separation between where you're living and where you're going to school. This is honestly so mentally draining for me, because I would like to get off campus when I'm done for the day and unwind and get away from it all for the night.
5.It is worth it
Despite my feelings about how busy I am and how much I need to depend on caffeine now that I've been here for a semester and a half, I do know that it is worth it and its normal to struggle a bit- especially your first year.
In the end, I know I am going to absolutely love my job as a Music Educator, and I am very excited to learn all that I can learn in the next 4 years to make myself better as a musician and a person.
So with that, I promise you that if you're struggling, you will get through it! Just take things one step at a time and know that with each new day comes many new opportunities!
You got this!!
