Student Blog: Merrily Rolling Along

As a rising freshman at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, I'm preparing for a heavy courseload even in my very first semester. In addition to my major of Modern Artist Development and Entreprenuership (or Contemporary Voice), I'm also double-minoring in Music Industry and Creative American Music (or songwriting), and I'm intending on adding a double major or minor in Journalism. I was heavily involved in extracurricular theatre, music, and writing activities, and I plan to continue to do so in college. But my class schedule alone, consists of 18 credits, including: Contemporary Performance Instruction, Small Contemporary Ensemble, Experiential Musicianship 1, Keyboard Studies 1, Skills Lab 1, Experiencing Music, Writing for the Digital Age, M.A.D.E. Forum, Studio, and Introduction to Documentary Photography. So how do I balance it all?

For me, I like being busy. I feel most comfortable knowing what I'm supposed to do, where I'm supposed to be, and when I'm supposed to be there at every single moment. It's how I roll. But that doesn't mean I don't get overwhelmed from time to time. Here are the three main things I do to keep my feet on the ground:

1. I try to ensure everything I'm loading onto my plate serves a purpose so that I don't feel I'm ever wasting my time or pushing myself for something that won't help me in the long run. For example, that's why I took a lot of AP classes and dual-enrollment credits in high school — so I'd have more time to take the classes that were important to me.

2. I spend time with the people who regenerate me, not wear me down. When I do have the occasional free minute, I offer it to the people who make me feel my best. 

3. I do my best to stay healthy. Especially as a music major with my voice as my instrument, I can't do my best if I don't feel my best. Last year, I got whooping cough (yes, WHOOPING COUGH!) and today I still deal with the vocal aftermath. I try my best to steam my voice and drink tea whenever my voice starts to tire, and I try to exercise and eat right as best I can.

All in all, I loved how involved I got in high school, and I'm looking forward to taking advantage of every single opportunity college life will offer me. The sky is the limit — as long as you respect your own limits!