Days In The Life

Melody • 18 • Utah • pianist • guitarist • college freshman • I wish that ^^ was the orchestra I’m in • main blog @melody-fox

[music-ofthe-heart]

Back to school

So... I’m moving out and starting school in 5 days. I’m gonna be auditioning for ensembles and such. Any music people got any advice, please lmk, that would be awesome. This whole adventure is exhilarating and terrifying.

[anonymous-flowey]

Practice

Any of you reading this.

Any single one of you.

You are a talented musician.

You are a brilliant person with so much potential

Foster that potential. Let it grow into something more beautiful than you could ever imagine.

Practice so you one day won’t close the door so people don’t hear you

Practice so you won’t be afraid to play at your family’s request

Practice to make the people around you proud

And most importantly, practice because you have so much potential when you chose this instrument. Things will get hard but work through it. Become a better musician, better person, and to make yourself proud of what you’ve become.

You’ve got this.

[music-and-quotes]

“You’re much too young now So I write these words down Darkness exists to make light truly count”

— Sleeping At Last, Uneven Odds

[music-ofthe-heart]

Celeana: do you think there’s a hall of fame for all the things I’m good at?

Chaol: yes it’s called prison

[yes-im-a-simple-man]

When Stalin isn’t home

Shostakovich: *plays the trombone*

Prokofiev: *slams the oven door*

[keyofcsharpminor]

Reason #57, why I, a small handed pianist, cry during practice

[emmastudies]

2018 Student Guide

With the start of 2018 well underway, I wanted to make a masterpost full of links on how to adjust your perspective with studying. Perhaps you want to become a better student overall, improve your focus or get into your dream college, there is always something we want to do better! Hopefully these tips will make 2018 your best academic year yet!

Organisation

2018 student planner

planner brand recommendations

planner vs bullet journal: pros and cons

how to set up a bullet journal

setting up a digital bullet journal

bullet journal spread ideas

bullet journal decoration hacks

bullet journal brand recommendations

whats in my bag

my favourite stationery

back to school basic supplies

how to improve your handwriting

handwriting font suggestions

balancing study and work

desk/workspace essentials

student finance tips

2018 monthly planner printables

Productivity

productivity and time management applications

how to remove distractions

types of procrastination and how to deal with them

google chrome new tab options for improved productivity

10 small ways to improve your productivity

applications to block websites

no distraction writing applications

100 days of productivity challenge

how to focus in class

how to stick to a schedule

how to stay alert

how to build self-discipline

how to organise for exams

my after school routine

how to reduce perfectionist ideas 

Motivation

what to do when you’ve tried everything

how to gain back motivation

motivational monday printables

how to stop avoiding studying

what to do when you feel exhausted before studying

how I stay motivated

tips on maintaining motivation

how to start a studyblr

how to utilise your studyblr for motivation

how to set up a studygram

dealing with competitive people

how to bounce back from ‘failure’

how to learn from a lower than expected grade

how to structure a weekly review

how to deal with a difficult class

things to do during holidays/study vacations

Studying

applications for students

how to take effective class or lecture notes

how to take notes from a textbook

how to prepare for exams

my note-taking method

my notebook system

how to write faster

how to study more effectively

how to summarise information

how I organise my binders

good habits to implement

how to study (my method)

how to revise from notes

how to organise a colour code

how to memorise information effectively

how to memorise quotes

how to use flashcards

how I reduce waffle and narration in essays

tips for essay writing

how to find out where you’re going wrong

how I prepare to study

different ways to study

how to study during the semester

how to annotate a book/novel/etc

how to get ahead in school

how to break up a large textbook

studying as a visual learner

how to practice and present a speech

mindmapping apps and extensions

how to deal with online classes

how to study a language

how to study maths

how to improve group assessments/projects

Self Care

how to improve your sleep schedule

how to wake up earlier

how to study when sick

over-coming self doubt

dealing with stress

how to balance studying and anxiety

how to balance studying and depression

apps that help with depression

ways to reward your productivity

my favourite tv shows

my favourite podcasts

ways to use empty notebooks

how to be more sociable

tips for getting a job

advice for the first day

things (personal, academic, etc) to do every week

Printables

2018 monthly planner printables

2018 student printables (includes 2018 overview + calendar, daily + weekly + monthly planner, 30 habit tracker, class overview and timed worklog)

weekly study schedule

weekly planner

weekend planner

daily planner

assessment planner

subject to do list planner

study session planner

exam revision printable pack (includes revision checklist, formulas + definitions sheet, essay + project planner, weekly schedule)

note-taking printables (includes dotted, grid, lined, cornell method)

organic chemistry printable

literary techniques and devices sheet

100 days of productivity tracker printable 

ultimate student organiser pack

study and revision pack

2018 student planner

2018 weekly planner

pomodoro tracker

grade and assessment planner pack

essay guide and planner pack

productivity planner

student reading journal printable

student finance planner

goal and habit planner

customisable weekly study planner

Other posts | Printables | Instagram | Youtube | Pinterest | Etsy Shop

[lowbrassdad]

Do you ever just take a step back and realize how much you love music?

I spend so much time agonizing over my lip slurs or the tuning of my scales that I sometimes forget, and it’s hard to remember why I do any of that in the first place.

But then sometimes I’ll be counting rests or joking with a stand partner and the realization that I’m a part of something crashes over me, and sometimes I’ll be playing in a concert and a particularly lovely chord will make me think about how beautiful it is that music unites drastically different people in creating art. Sometimes I’ll remember that if it wasn’t for music, some of my closest friends and I wouldn’t have even considered getting to know one another.

That’s why I pour myself into this craft. It’s not so I can play flashy solos and have something to say when people ask me what my hobbies are (though those are perks!)- it’s because I love being present during the creation of something more.

[music-and-quotes]

“I don’t need no money, fortune, or fame. I got all the riches baby, one man can claim.”

— The Temptations, My Girl

[violinistblr-deactivated2018082]

when you’re balancing two instruments, a social life and hard classes but find a cool new instrument:

[music-ofthe-heart]

Send help

[music-ofthe-heart]

Update

[08.03.2018]

So, haha it’s been a while.

And I’ve got big news

...

...

I GOT IN!!!!

No more auditions, and my future for the next year or so is secure. Just waiting to hear back about music scholarships now.

I’ll give you all the full story tomorrow when I have a little more time.

I can’t stop grinning.

Have a good day, y’all :)

[just-shower-thoughts]

If alpacas could sing in a group it would be alpacacappella.

[music-ofthe-heart]

I laughed way too hard at this.

[new-world-symphony]

the instruments as things people have said at my school:

flute: "sometimes I wonder ‘why do I hate everyone?’, and then I just look at my classmates and it all becomes clear.“ 

oboe: “I will high-five you. in the face. with a chair.“ 

clarinet: “walks into health class…eating a cookie.“ 

bassoon: “you kids with your Trek Wars and your Star Stars.“ 

saxophone: “I thought those were mixed nuts, but they were actually rocks.“ 

french horn: “when I die I think I’ll turn into a record with two songs: ‘still alive’ and ‘stayin’ alive’.“ 

trumpet: "FIRE BLANKET: keeps you warm in case of a fire." 

trombone: "basically, if you had a few french fries all the girls would come running.” “that’s still true." 

euphonium/baritone: "the east is red.” “wait, the yeast is bread?" 

tuba: "thugs wear their hats to the side! I’m not even wearing a hat!" 

violin: "I’m in a musical mood.” “you call that music?" 

viola: "what have you got?” “absolutely nothing." 

cello: "we had a giant, collective, hissy fit" 

bass: "ugh, I have to relearn bass-clef.” “looks like you’re in treble!" 

percussion: “there’s a beeping noise over there.” “oh probably the bomb.”

harp: "enough about books, rules, and supplies. today we are going to talk about murder." 

piano: "stop playing the keyboard, you’re like a weird cat" 

conductor: "I throw markers at people. get used to it.”

[deliverance-and-damnation-deact]

To All Musicians

Hello there my fellow musical friends <3 I don’t know how many people will get the chance to read this,but I hope at least a few people do. I want you to remember something: There is a reason why you are doing this. There is a reason you’ve dedicated years of your life to progressing at this art form rather then something else. There is a reason you /started/ this in the first place. There is a reason that you keep practicing, a reason to keep on working even if you can’t feel any progress. There is a reason why you keep trying to compose, even if nothing is coming out. There is a reason you keep striving to be a better musician. There is a yearning in all of us, a yearning to be better and to give a part of ourselves to the world. When you play, you can tell people things they could never perceive with their minds, but only with their hearts. We have a unique way of being able to touch people, and the truth is, as humans, we all have a desire to be reached in this way. For some people, when they hear a certain piece of music, it can move their hearts and bring them to a better spot. Perhaps you’ll be just the right thing someone will need to hear after the death of a loved one. Perhaps you’ll be the one to help someone going through depression. Perhaps your music will help an insanely stressed teenager find some solace. You never know.

We just have to keep trying, keep working, keep practicing, keep composing.

You can never let the yearning for music die, because as a whole, humanity needs us.

~From one 17 year old music student to all musicians around the world ❤️

[music-ofthe-heart]

Symphony concerts

Have you guys noticed that the only people that really get to have fun and “feel the music” at a symphony concert are the conductors? Those guys are jumping all over the place, flapping their arms like deranged but coordinated pelicans, accidentally throwing their batons into the orchestra and overall just having a great time.

Can I do that?

[music-ofthe-heart]

PSA

Shout out to all those high school music instructors that write you glowing recommendations for your college auditions. You had no obligation to do that, and yet when I asked, you went above and beyond. You’re the best :)

[armcnia]

hello hello, it’s ya girl cielo here with her first advice post, hi!

last semester i found myself not being able to concentrate on anything for more than 5 min at a time so i started trying out ways that would help me get things done, these are some of the tips that i’ve collected, i hope it helps!

things to do when you need to concentrate right now:

count words: grab a book (or just a text, i normally used a dictionary) and start counting the words of the first paragraph, you don’t have to read it or understand any of what the text is trying to convey, the act of counting something specific is what will help you concentrate (i advice counting up until 100-120 words at first).

stay still and focus on your body: close your eyes and feel the way your lungs fill up with air, sense where your arms are, where your feet are resting, concentrate in your heart beat, do this until you feel your head has cleared up again.

repeat a word/frase: it can be something that’s in front of you (a glass of water, an apple?) or a mantra you have, just make sure you’re not thinking about anything else, maybe shield your head in your arms, close your eyes, and start saying your word/frase over and over until you’re not up in the clouds anymore.

+ bonus! it will also help to pick a word related to what you’re currently studying! or repeating a phrase that’s in your text~

count from a 100 backwards: pretty self explanatory, the more you do this one, the more you’ll be able to count. i advice starting at 80 or maybe 70!

alphabet: so this one requiers a template. basically what you do is say the alphabet out loud and lift up your arms at the same time accordingly. L is for Left, R is for Right, B is for Both. take it slowly at first, you’ll eventually be able to do it faster. 

the thing with this one is that you should change the order of the arms when you feel like you’ve memorised it (just cover it with a piece of paper, or some sticky notes) because it won’t help you at all once you do it automatically, just make sure not to put Left below the letter L, Right below R, and Both below B because it’d be too easy~ (if this doesn’t make sense, hopefully it will after you see the template).

i recommend doing this one before you start your study session!

move a pendulum without moving your hand: grab something that’s dangly and has some weight to it (i use my keys and grab them by the keychain) and hold it at eye level, make sure it’s completly still! start moving your object without moving your hand/arm (i know this sounds impossible but it’s actually pretty easy), just start thinking about moving it back and forth, you’ll see it start moving slowly, focus on giving it more momentum. when you see it flying around as you wanted switch to thinking about moving it from side to side, then in circles. you can do whatever combination of movements you can think of~

i recommend doing this one when you absolutely can not concentrate.

note: you can find more exercises like these here and here.

things that will help you concentrate on the long run:

doing the exercises listed above regularly: surprise! if you do those on the daily you’ll start noticing improvement on your concentration in general ^^

sleeping well, eating healthily, and doing exercise: this goes without saying, you can not expect to be focused on something if you’re sleepy/hungry. doing exercise helps you get rid of anxiety and restless energy! 

yoga/meditation: not much i can say about this, practicing mindfulness ultimately increases your attention span.

+ bonus! specific video about doing yoga for concentration. 

[ side note: that video can be a little hard for someone who is new to yoga, but i still recommend checking out her channel because she has a whole series dedicated to beginners ✧ ]

journaling: if you really can’t concentrate it’s likely because you have something on your mind that is either bothering you or it’s an issue that’s not resolved. journaling is a sure fire way to help you figure things out.

taking breaks: don’t! overwork! yourself! if you keep studying for hours on end  you’ll eventually find yourself not understanding any of what you’re working on. taking breaks will give your brain the necessary space to process what you’re learning.

working in a room with no distractions: you can’t expect to concentrate in a room where there’s a lot of buzzing around, pls do yourself a favor and find a calm space~

not allowing yourself to get distracted: the toughest of it all, force yourself to remain focused until your next break, no matter if someone is chewing loudly next to you, no matter if your friends are being needy. discipline is everything!

so.. that’s all from me, i really hope this is helpful! if you have any questions related to this (or not) feel free to hmu ^^

- cielo ♡♡