5 College Must Haves and Tips for Success

The Den: Small patio with green bushes and a building wall that has a glowing sign saying "start your own chapter"

Adjusting to college life isn’t always easy, and it can be daunting to move away from home and start this new chapter of your life. As a musician, being prepared and having tips for success can help you achieve your goals.

Life of a College Student

When I moved to a college nearly seven hours away from home, I was nervous because I didn’t know anyone. However, I knew I was prepared for it because of the advice I received from peers and music teachers.

While going through this transition you have the normal tasks of being a college student such as making friends, managing school work, and figuring out your career interests. As a music student, you also have the added the responsibilities of practicing, ensemble rehearsals, auditions, and recitals.

No matter what your major or area of focus is, every college musician needs tools for success. These college must-haves and tips for success can help you be more prepared and make the most out of your college experience.

1. Have Dedicated Work and Living Spaces

Nothing is worse than trying to do homework assignments or practice and getting distracted by your surroundings. Try to keep your work and living spaces separate so distractions and temptations are limited.

If I did homework while laying in bed I was more likely to fall asleep, and if I tried practicing in my dorm I was more likely to lose concentration.

If you do work at your desk in your dorm, or even in another study space on campus, you are more likely to be productive and timely with work. If you practice in a campus practice room or hall you are more likely to have a productive practice session.

Having productive practice sessions and studying time will benefit you as both a student and a musician, and can encourage better personal time management boundaries to be set.

2. Bring Music Making Essentials

It can be overwhelming to know what you should bring to college, and as musicians we have even more to take with us. Our instruments, sheet music, and everything to complete class work are essentials for success. It’s important to think about what the music-making essentials are for you, and have them on hand to be successful.

Essentials for being a musician could be:

Metronome
Music Stand
Instrument Accessories
Laptop or Tablet
Manuscript Paper
Headphones and Ear Plugs
Office Supplies
Small Black Towel

**Music Making Essentials as a College Student - The Den Collective**

3. Stay Organized

Organization is key to being successful, not just in college but in life post-college too. Having an online calendar, physical planner, or a whiteboard can be a great way to keep track of everything going on in your life.

The Den - Things to Keep Track of as a College Musician List

Not everyone is a fan of planners or trackers, so sometimes just keeping notes of what needs to get done can be helpful. You can write down goals for the day, week, or month, and check them off as they are finished.

Being away at college often means a lot more independence. If you’re living away from home, you are responsible for the housework in your living space. It’s important to keep your spaces clean and organized so you can have a healthy space to thrive.

Keeping your tasks and living space organized can help you build necessary life skills that you can take with you in the future.

Pro-Tip: When a concert or recital is scheduled, set weekly calendar alerts backwards to keep you on track with your musical preparation!

4. Reach Out to Professors and Campus Resources

Sometimes it can be scary to ask for help, I know I’ve been there. Feelings of not wanting to appear less smart, interrupt a lecture, or fear of failure are common. However, our professors and faculty are there to help us. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Our professors want us to succeed and do well, and if that means getting extra help, that’s okay.

Our professors are our mentors, and the lessons they teach us are valuable both in and out of the classroom. Their expertise can help us do well as a student, but more importantly can help shape us into the successful industry professionals we will become in the future.

Most colleges have extra resources for help as well, such as a writing center, reading center, a library, and tutoring for a multitude of subjects. Take advantage of these resources; even if you aren’t sure if you need help yet. It can be beneficial to establish a connection with tutors before you need help that way the connection is already present.

Along with academic resources, most colleges also have resources such as a health center with counselors, a fitness center, clubs and organizations, student affairs, and career services. These can be great resources for health and wellness, campus involvement, and job searching.

“85% of jobs are filled through networking”

— HubSpot

5. Establishing a Lifelong Network

Making connections and establishing a network with your peers and professors is an important part of the college experience. Not only are you making lifelong friends, but you are building a portfolio of references and contacts you can use while in the market for internships and jobs.

According to a 2018 Job Seeker Nation Study, “Sixty percent have referred a friend or contact to a company they’ve worked for, and thirty-five percent obtained their current or most recent job from a referral.” According to Hubspot, “Eighty-five percent of jobs are filled through networking.” The statistics show just how important and beneficial it is to start building your network in college.

As someone who has had the opportunity to make connections with other industry professionals during college, I can say it has been a wonderful experience. Not only have I gained a better understanding of their careers and what it takes to work in this field, but I’ve also created meaningful connections with successful professionals who I hope to be like one day.

Any opportunity you get to build meaningful connections and establish your network now will help you down the road when applying to jobs. Your network and the lifelong connections you make become like a family, a family that will help each other grow and succeed in their careers.

Make The Most Out of Your College Experience

These college must-haves and tips for success will help you make the most out of your college experience and your future career. Practicing positive habits, being mindful of essentials as a musician, and networking will help you grow as a holistic person and launch you into the career of your dreams.

The Den Collective has coaches who provide sessions on a variety of topics; if you are interested in learning more about the individual coaches and scheduling a session, information can be found here.

Expanding your knowledge and musical skills is important when building a career in music. Myself and The Den Collective are here to support and help in any way we can!