Bear

Beware, rant ahead.

How do people make school and work co-exist? I seem to be able excel at either one or the other but not both simultanesouly.

In highschool I received all the musical awards. In my undergrad the same thing, though not as much because I was working. But in work I excelled, several raises and several position titles.

I was recently asked to leave my graduate studies because I worked too much and missed too many concerts, recitals, etc. I'm sorry, but I work full time. A lot of times more than full time. I am the only one who supports me. They pay me to work, I need money. I pay them to go to school, work logically in my mind will come first.
I just want to quit it all and go to work full time but I know I will never be happy until I have that "Dr." in front of my name. Egotistical? Well, I am a trumpet player with a propensity for lead playing. HA. Any hints on how to make the two easier?
I did get an offer for a GA-ship at another school. I think that would be great but I'm still waiting on the details and I am tired of being played around with too.

"Well Tim, what do you want to do professionally?" Don't start that one. I want to play and teach on a level where I can make improvements in someone's life and where I will quit worrying where next months rent is coming from.

Khora

There are no easy solutions. A lot depends on where you are working, and what you are doing at work. It takes a lot of compromise, and understanding and flexibility on the part of your boss. If your school requires full-time devotion, then you need to work part-time - pure and simple, there are only 24 hours in a day, and you need to sleep for some of them!

Maybe it is possible to work out some flexible hours at work when there are concerts, rehearsals, recitals, etc. that you need to attend. Don't work during those events, but make up the work hours at some other time.

It takes an enormous amount of organization, time managment and hard work. Don't expect to have any social life, but if that 'Dr.' means the world to you, make those sacrifices now. Stick with it, and have a great party when it is over!

Remember, though: you can make improvements in someone's life at any level - it is more a result of how you approach your teaching than the level at which you are teaching. You have to love what you are doing first and foremost, and share that. Even teachers of younger students can (and usually do!) make huge improvements in their students lives, just by exposing them to a whole new world. No Dr. required. (I remember my first band director just as well as I remember my college teacher, and I certainly would never have gotten to the latter without the hard work of the first!)

Best of luck. I hope you find your way through it all.

rowuk

Bear,
welcome to mortality! If it were possible to squeeze 33 hours into a day, anybody could do it and YOU would have no advantage.
Everyone has an agenda. The university, your employer and you.
Make a list of the absolute must haves and see if what you need to do is even possible. If it is, then you need to make a rigid schedule until you are finished with school, if it is not possible, it is sacrifice time.
It is legitimate for an institute of higher education to place demands on the students. One does not buy a slot in the organisation with tuition funds.

Your situation is similar to mine 30 years ago- If I hadn't worked, school would not have been possible. I tried many jobs before finding one that worked (barely). I got through and those time skills aid me even today!!!

Siegtrmpt

Ultimately, if you're going to attend school you have to do what is required to complete the program. That certainly includes paying the bills and doing what it takes to come up with the money. There really isn't much point to being in a program if you don't have time to do the required recitals and class work to the required standards. Many people sell their homes, move to a new town, get a modest place to live and invest their life savings and take out loans to achieve a goal. If you're the kind of person that replies by saying I can't do this or that then you might as well just hang it up because of the mindset of "can't". If you're the kind of person that has their eyes open to all the possibilities and then makes a rational decision to proceed (or not proceed) based on the facts and your choices then you stand a chance at making it happen. There are no easy answers but where there is a will there is a way. Good luck.

Firestas'1

All good advice. Remember, sucess comes in Cans. (not Can'ts)

Just wait until you have to fit in time with your kids into the mix, very hectic but immensely rewarding!

Bear

I know. I was just upset because it seems like I try to please everyone and make compromises to where I can try to do everything but it all backfires. I'll live and learn.

cornetguy

what about working as an usher or stage manager at the school, you are at the concerts and get paid for it? then find another pt job that can work around that.

Siegtrmpt

I'm still working on learning to say no to things too.

midwestchops

i must say i understand your situation. i graduated from community college after highschool for auto technology. i got married and had two kids. i worked turning wrenches for over 3 years and my wife stayed at home w/kids for most of that. i really didnt like what i was doing. i didnt go into music before (even though its what ive always loved) b/c i was afraid of the work it would take. i was never very good in school anyway, but lived for band. now, my wife is back at work, im a full time music ed. student, we have 2 kids, live in an apt., sold my motorcycle, and im working part time delivering pizza while in school. i do have my wife's income, but having 2 kids makes everything a lot more difficult. just have to work through it and figure out how to get by until its over. i can say i wish i would have just done this from the start, but my focus back then was poor, and now i have a better appreciation for what im doing. maybe should have taken a break and figured out, but it can work, it takes sacrifice from one thing or another. best of luck to you. you can do it.

Bear

Roger,
Thanks for all the "keep yer chin up" folks. Not trying to be conceited but I've always thought I was an ok player. I just do not take to school and the "busy work" that we have to do to get that piece of paper. I know more people with that piece of paper whom I wouldn't trust the tutelage of my kids under than not. If that's the case why can't our music programs teach literature and music instead of rehearsing the same level 2 music for three months to play one concert and writing 1K word papers on the use of the V in Romantic lit? "Why does this piece apeal to you so-and-so?" "Uhhhh... because it has a five chord Dr.?" HA.
I'm just fed up with it a lot. But it's ok, you guys keep your eyes open. One of these days I'll be with T.O.P. or in some sort of Chase/horn line band and be making money doing what I love... one of these days.
On a bright note, leaving UNC I've been asked to go to The University of Wyoming. Any one know of the trumpet teacher there? His name is Dr. Pfotenhaur, whom was a student of A. Ghitella. I've met him (Dr. P) twice now and am interested in the program if all the kinks will work out.

Take care, keep blowin',
Tim