Change is good.

Everything I've heard about academics in college has come true.

This isn't a bad thing, but classes have definitely given me a reality check. In high school, I was always a "strategic" learner. This means that I would study in order to make good grades, maintain my 4.0 GPA, and get into my dream colleges. Although most people aren't willing to admit it, we are conditioned to learn this way. From elementary school, teachers and parents say, "Study for your test! Make good grades!" Therefore, we study to earn high marks rather than to learn the material.

Before coming to college, I resolved to ditch this "strategic" learning habit once and for all. I want to gain knowledge from my classes and actually REMEMBER the things I learn instead of cram studying. This is also a sign that I'm ready to use intrinsic motivators to accomplish things. Instead of relying on outside motivators to get me to do my work or study, I know I will study in order to better myself. 

Switching learning styles and working for pleasure is a big change for me, but I know it will be extremely rewarding. I'm ready for a lifestyle change and I can't wait to see where it takes me!

The Value of Time

Time. Time is of essence in my life. Everything revolves around time . . . The amount of time it takes to get from A to B, the amount of time I have to do X assignment, the amount of time I can devote to fun. Time is important.

Now that I'm in college, I have come to really value time. People make a huge deal out of time management. I've learned to use my time wisely and accomplish a lot in what seems like a small amount of time. However, is this really what I should value? Everyone likes to think about how much work they've done in the little amounts of time they've had, but isn't it better to spend as much time as you need and focus on the journey? Isn't it better to realize that the discovery process is oftentimes more rewarding than the finished product?

This is a struggle I face every day. I know that it will take more time until I fully understand it, and the time that it will take me to realize this important concept is something that I really value.

Quality over quantity

We live in a world of instant gratification. Instant messaging, texting, and automatic rewards have invaded our lives. Wherever I look, I see people (myself included) caught up in the hustle and bustle of the "here and now" our world. However, not every aspect of life deserves to be treated with a "here and now" attitude. As a college student, it is important to realize that not everything will be accomplished right away. There will be times when patience and thoughtful study is necessary to properly comprehend academic material. This applies to artistic subjects as well. As an artist, I have found that I work best by practicing my flute in hour chunks. I also bring a variety of things to practice with me in one session; I find that it is better to mix up my practice sessions with spending a lesser amount of time on more pieces rather than a long time on one piece. My brain digests material better when I rotate concepts around, but find connections with all of them. It is not this way for everyone. All people learn differently. It is up to you to find what studying/practicing technique works best for you, whether you are a musician or a chemist.

Many people believe that if they allocate four hours of time for diligent practice or study, they will accomplish much more than if they study in thirty minute intervals. This may be the case for some people, but I find that most people work better when they prefer to pursue "quality over quantity." I feel that it is better to spend a lesser amount of time on something, but put in your best effort. So many people think that spending a LONG time on something is the way to get things accomplished, even if they get tired or hungry after an hour or two. The human mind needs breaks (five to fifteen minutes) between pieces to practice or texts to read. The information will process faster and, believe it or not, you will finish faster. Ever since I started implementing breaks in my study schedule, I have received better grades and gotten work done faster than I ever have. I encourage almost everyone I talk to to try this technique.

Perfectionism and the learning process

High school was an extremely competitive time for me. Between classes, homework, marching band, the All-State process, and other extracurriculars, I would often find myself getting caught up in trying to fix small problems. When I look back on those four years, I often realize how thankful I am for my flute lesson teacher at the time. Dr. Terri Sanchez was exactly what I needed and represents everything I hope to be: compassionate, intelligent, relaxed, profound, creative, and full of wisdom that helped me with all things flute and beyond. During our lessons, she would pull the imagination out of me (oftentimes by making me impersonate or sing what I wanted in my playing) and she helped me loosen up quite a bit. She is the reason why I seek, not perfection, but excellence in everything I do. Terri is the first person who ever told me "not to sweat the small stuff." People used to laud me on my perfectionism before; however, after Terri entered my life, I realized that perfectionism really hinders the creative process that musicians and artists strive for. Now, I know that an open mind and a positive attitude can solve almost any problem life throws at us. Terri pulled out the true artist in me, and I cannot thank her enough for that.

Learning is an ongoing cycle. I know that I am not done with the creative process and I will never be done. I will never finish discovering things about myself, my mind, and the way I view the world. For us to progress as individuals and as a race, we must keep asking ourself: "now what? And then what? And then?" Only through the process of question and answer will humans continue to devise new explanations for existing ideas and invent solutions for existing problems. So here's to our bright and happy future. May we always be blessed with the curiosity to learn and the drive to succeed!