Hi all.
CC was an invaluable resource to me during my high school years and the college admissions process last fall, so I decided I would give it a shot again with an issue concerning college.
I am a freshman in college right now, and I am struggling to balance my academics with cello. I am currently interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare industry, so that's why I'm starting on the standard load of STEM courses required for careers like medicine/optometry/etc. Right now it's Biology, which is proving to be an intense and fulfilling course. The downside is that I am failing the class. We have had only one test, but I got a D on it so I am a bit discouraged right now. But I like Biology and the professor is amazing.
So, ignoring the fact that Biology may or may not be affecting my other academic classes (I'm not sure I can make a relationship just yet, as I have only had one test per class)...there is cello to worry about.
I came into college thinking I could improve on cello (albeit at a slower rate). Then I got the principal seat of the university orchestra, which I am still extremely grateful and excited for. Like Biology, orchestra has been challenging me as well, since in high school I was never in an orchestra of this caliber. The only problem here is that I wish I had more time to practice AND do well (i.e. 4.0 GPA, although that is currently very far away from my reach). I have been working on Dvorak from January to August, and I haven't touched the Dvorak since. I find it almost impossible for me to improve on my solo repertoire, orchestra parts, and my academic classes.
(I didn't want to do Dvorak for all four of my college orchestra auditions, haha)
That being said, I'm not 100% sure if I want to double major or minor in Music, but the option is still there for me. Another option for me is to drop a class (like Biology), but instead of rashly deciding now I want to see what I can change in my routine first. Then, if that routine still does not work, I will drop a class/make a more informed decision. My drop date is November 15 so I have quite a bit of time left.
Any advice, especially from dual-degree students/students who have done STEM with music at a relatively high level, is welcome.
Thank you!
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