Life Lessons of a College Freshman

I am alright with stating the obvious, College is a new experience full of all sorts of things that you never expect. The people are new and different, the lifestyle is new and different, the procedures are new and different, and most of all the lessons you learn are new and different. There are ways to prepare yourself for all this new and different that will bombard your life, but no one can be completely prepared. Most of the change is very good for us 18-19-year-olds leaving home and entering a completely new world, but it can be extremely hard. Sure, the extra work and responsibility makes things difficult, but I mean hard in the way that facing the truth can be hard, or struggles can be hard. Struggle is a very good adjective for how it can be sometimes, a struggle. I have compiled two of some of the important lessons I have learned over the first 3/4 of my freshman year (I am sure many more will be learned, a lot can occur over 2 months). I also have many more that have crossed my mind, but I have not quite put into words quite yet. Expect a "part 2" post soon.

1. Don't change who you are.
Okay, now this must come with a disclaimer. This does not mean that you are always correct. This does not mean you are flawless. This does not mean to stop improving yourself. I simply mean that you should improve yourself while keeping what truly makes your personality what it is, and only changing things because YOU believe you should. Too often, people adjust themselves to fit in, and yes, there are circumstances, especially in this time of change in which you must adapt, but you are still the you that you have grown to be. The scenario works like this: You come in to college and happen to find some people that you think could be your new friends, so you spend lots of time together. You find something that really connects all of you, and that is what you latch on to. Suddenly something that was just one of your hobbies or focuses becomes your number one priority and that isn't who you really are. Thus, the new "friendships" you have created around this thing are not quite as meaningful, and suddenly you are lost in relationship, and are no longer sure of yourself. It is sad but true of so many people. But a good lesson to learn none-the-less.

2. Tolerance is hard to develop
While you have to adjust your habits and lifestyles to fit this new place and life, you will keep many of the habits you are used to. While where you come from may be diverse, it isn't diverse enough to prepare you for the lifestyle differences of all the new people in college. It may not be obvious, but people of one area tend to be similar or at least share similar lifestyles. When you put people from different areas into one place there can be some conflict. For example, your hometown may be of middle class, full of diverse people, but mostly of the same socioeconomic status. Once at school, especially if it is a wealthier private school in a better-off area, those around you probably weren't all brought up the same way, their standards, living style, and spending habits will probably look different than your own. Developing the right tolerance of differences is where these differences can get dangerous. On one side of things, you can start to adopt their habits that do not fit your lifestyle. If you start to spend like someone who is better-off financially or has mommy and daddy to cover things, you will be in for a rude awakening when your wallet takes that hit. On the other hand, you could remain so set in your ways that the habits and mentalities of others can get on your nerves much quicker. These attitudes that you are not used to, whether good or bad, will get annoying to you because they are new, and you have not learned to tolerate them. This exposure of new and different lifestyles experienced during college is good for building strong but balanced tolerance, to practice both good judgement as well as acceptance.

A Hopeful Return

Oh hello there, long lost friend. 

Turns out, college life is much busier and hectic than I had anticipated. While this is not necessarily a negative addition to life, it has, quite obviously, taken a toll on my writing hobby. This post of 'Hopeful Return' doesn't mean that I have become any less busy, by any means, but rather that I have received inspiration to pick up again.

Today while in one of my classes, my professor pulled me aside and asked me if I had ever considered writing. I was quite taken aback by this, seeing as most teachers merely comment on my spelling errors and overuse of commas. He told me how easily he was able to understand my latest paper and that I should really consider writing publicly. I mentioned to him that I blog, but unfortunately had to inform him that I hadn't for awhile. Then, I thought, this is a sign that I should start once more, so I could be able to inform others of my blog without the disclaimer. So, thank you professor, you know who you are. If you are reading).

I cannot make any promises, as I have "returned" to the blogging world many times only to leave when life whisks me up into more and more activities. (I just returned from Musical Pit Orchestra rehearsals which will take over my life here soon. Sorry!).

The Music of Harry Potter

I just downloaded all 8 soundtracks of the Harry Potter Saga. These movies are such a big part of my childhood and the music gives me chills. I love it. I figured it would be fun to rank and comment on each movie’s sound track.

1. / 2. A Tie between Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban (John Williams) and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Nicholas Hooper).
Prisoner of Azkaban was so new and different after the classic (but still awesome) first two. It has such a great ‘native american’ more ethnic feel. While the Dementor themes had some great Williams classical moments, the inclusion of jazzier stuff for the Knight Bus scene and playful Waltz for Aunt Marge’s theme were also a nice touch. I am sure most of this came about due to the new director. It was a nice edge to the classic John Williams sound.

Order of the Phoenix was so fun. The music in this one is so memorable and you can remember each part of the movie as you listen. From Umbridge’s Theme to the Fireworks scene, the music is very fun and quirky. I just really enjoy the music of this movie. 

3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 (Alexandre Desplat)
This music makes me tear up EVERY TIME. Many of the pieces include ‘Lily’s Theme’. The most beautiful and haunting vocal melody for these movies. This theme is almost a reminder that the end is near, which for most of us Harry Potter fans is such a memorable feeling from sitting in the theatre at midnight one last time. I love Snape’s story, so the reoccurring ‘Lily’s Theme’ that appears in the look in to his past is my absolute favorite. One of the greatest musical parts of this soundtrack is the music that accompanies the epilogue. It is the same music used when Harry leaves Hogwarts for the first time at the end of the Sorcerer’s Stone. It is such a great touch to the end of the end. 

4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (John Williams)

This brings us back to the beginning. This is where it all begins and it is so classic. While much of this soundtrack is exactly what you would expect of John Williams, it is the music we all know and love of the series. Everyone loves the musical roots of the entire saga.

5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 (Alexandre Desplat)

While this movie lacked in action compared to some, somehow Mr. Desplat kept the music driving and epic. There are some great themes and and interesting pieces. This one is just unexpectedly good. One part of the soundtrack that once again gets me, is the ‘Farewell to Dobby’. It is one of those pieces that puts you right back into the movie and brings back the emotion of that scene. 

6. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Nicholas Hooper)

Half Blood Prince had such a great variety. There were so many different themes, some bone chilling and some exciting. Dumbledore’s Farewell once again puts you into the emotion of that moment. The quality of this soundtrack as a whole is just overall good. There aren’t many pieces I dislike. 

7. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (John Williams)

This soundtrack is a little too similar to the first one for my liking. I love the classic music, but in comparison, it needed something more. The two themes that I do very much enjoy are Gilderoy Lockhart’s theme and the ‘Meeting Tom Riddle’ theme. Both are just memorable and interesting.

8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Patrick Doyle)

Just because Goblet of Fire is last doesn’t mean I dislike it, somebody has to be last. This is also my least favorite movie, but only because every other movie and soundtrack stands out to me and comes to mind first. So Goblet of Fire is the forgotten treasure. The themes of the other wizarding schools in addition to the only soundtrack with rock music are nice additions. My personal favorite part of the soundtrack is the new opening. It is a change from the ‘Hedwig’s Theme’, it is much more foreboding and I love it. 

This is the music of my childhood. I went to many premieres and loved every minute of it. John Williams, Nicholas Hooper, Alexandre Desplat and Patrick Doyle are musical geniuses. 

Prayer Power

My God is So Good

I am so amazed at how powerful prayer is and how great and mysterious God is. He can take an awful situation and make it work out for the better, he can teach you a life lesson that can change your entire outlook in a situation you see as terrible and negative. 

It is so mysterious that you pray about a situation, asking him to guide you and fix things, and then things end up better, or you learn through it. Prayer working is mysterious, but think about it. God puts many bad situations in your life in order to teach and guide you, so even before you prayed, he had the plan to teach you and has your best interest ALWAYS. 

I have never been so thankful for how wonderful and amazing my God is. I could just go on for ever, but it is class time. 

Bliss, Awakening, Comfort

Today, some friends and I went downtown to north market and Stanton's. I really love downtown columbus, I am not sure why, but I just love the large city, but still cute atmosphere. I love the upscale businesses and restaurants mixed in with quaint shops and markets. But I found myself imagining future life.
I wasn't the girl who had her whole life and wedding planned out of anything, I did not think much of my dream home or dream job, so thinking about this was odd for me, but kind of fun. I wondered why it is so pleasurable to think about your dream future and came to this conclusion:

 It is pleasurable to be in complete control. 

That's why little girls think about their weddings and some become 'bridezillas'. That is why people love games like the SIMs and playing with barbies or dolls. Any sort of role playing game in general. Even playing pretend. It allows for kids to create and control their own 'dream life'. And for those of us who are too old for things like that, we day dream and imagine exactly how we would prefer life to be in the future.
Now of course reality sets in and we realize how little control we have. That is when those of us who have faith in God who does have control feel comfort. I could not imagine not knowing who has control of my life, I cannot imagine the discomfort or fear associated with that idea.

So even after the rude awakening of reality after a daydream of my ideal future life, I can still be joyful and comforted because of my God. How good He is.

The Difference

I feel the need to put disclaimers before each of my posts... I am not sure if that is a bad thing or not. Oh Well.... DISCLAIMER: I love college, I do not really get home sick, I love the friends I have made, there are amazing people here.

I was at the high school football game where the marching band seniors are features. They get to dress up in costumes, play a show written by one of their peers, and a song from their freshman year. It is such a memorable night. Seeing it all happen for them makes me miss making all of those memories last year, miss my marching family, and talking to my old director made me miss him terribly too.

I want to do a little comparing now. My current band director is a really cool guy. He's amazing at what he does, is very musically and generally intelligent and all around great. My high school band director was great in a different way. He knew a lot about music and was a great leader, sure. But he was more to us than that. He was willing to listen if we had a problem, even not band related. He really showed that he cared about us. We could spend time with him in his office and it was no big deal. We could joke around about anything.
I am sure my new director cares about us as a band, and as a teacher cares about us as students, but it is not the same. Now, maybe because I am a freshman and don't exactly know the guy, I do not see that extra 'care factor' yet, but I don't see it between him and other students either.
 Maybe the transition from high school to college means that teachers go from educators+people who care about you, to simply just amped up educators. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. We became socialized as well as educated through k-12 school, but we came to college to get the education we need to successfully pursue the career we want. In the same way teachers in high school want you to learn but some also care about you as a child, and the professors here at college mostly just want to prepare you to be successful in a career. (More disclaimer: some do seem to care beyond our academic and career success, but I am going by the faculties as wholes. ) 

That extra factor that I saw in my directors and teachers, that I want to show to my future students, is just another thing to miss.

Surprises and Not So Much

It is not surprising whatsoever that I am writing randomly after a long break of forgetting, business, lack of concentration and other lame excuses for not writing. The topic of my post however is extremely surprising. I usually write about deep thoughts inspired by struggles or conversations. I usually vaguely reference certain people in my life, or discuss worries about my future.
To make things more surprising, you must know something about me. I have always absolutely despised math. I have been terrible at it, I dread doing it and I have just never understood the concepts.
If you are able to put two and two together (Ha! math reference), you have now realized that I am writing about math. (take this moment to gasp, reread to make sure you saw correctly, and hopefully be extremely intrigued to further read).
Not to be disappointing, but I am going to write a post inspired by math, rather than spitting out a bunch of numbers and fancy mathematical terms.
I am currently taking The Nature of Mathematics, and so far I have enjoyed the class. We have studied the background information of mathematical concepts and abstract ideas. I have begun to realize that in order to keep from losing your head in that class, you must simply accept what the professor says as complete truth, even if your logic screams otherwise.
This idea of just dropping all of your logic to better understand the class has shown me what my problem was with math all of these years.
As I've probably touched on before, I rely heavily on logic and reasoning, I cannot let it go, and as you can see: I solved my math failure problem. I'd call that a good day.

Looking Back; A Reminder

On October 4th, 2009 at 2:29 PM I began this blog. Today, September 15, 2011 I went back and read nearly every post. 

I had been thinking a lot about some things and needed to go back and reference some dates. Well that mission turned into some homesickness towards my beloved high school marching band, so I read many of those band related posts. This mission resulted in looking back at posts that really show who I was, who I have become and how that all happened.

It is so interesting to dwell on that. How different I was, what I've done, what I've worried about, what I've enjoyed, what I've struggled with, what I've thought. Noticing little changes in my thinking, temperament, and overall life. I have developed in how I view people, how I feel about many topics and my confidence in my beliefs and feelings is so much stronger now.

Some things still remain the same though. My writing style has always been the way it is now. I use lists, metaphors, hypothetical situations and cliches ALWAYS. I guess that gives my writing it's own little personality though. I'm a Music Ed. Major! What does it matter anyway? (That was some of my 'grown up' college sarcasm for ya!).

While many things changed, the things that remained the same and just became stronger and more confident grew even more after reading. Going back and looking at my life is a reminder of who I am and who I have become. I forget and lose myself in the rush of life and whatever my current problem or struggle is. It is the little reminders like this that I need to bring back my confidence in who I am:


1. Sarah Elizabeth Shively
2. Christian
3. Daughter and Sister
4. Friend
5. Musician
6. Student


I am driven, strong, loving, confident, organized, fun-loving, talented, passionate, and now that I remember that, I do no plan on forgetting it and I am going to take on the world... But first I'm going to take on my Music Theory homework....

And in case my plan goes astray and I do forget a bit of myself, that's what this blog is for. Take that for writing motivation!

"Here I go, and there's no turning back, my great adventure has begun!

I may be small, but I've got giant plans, to shine as brightly as the sun.

I will blaze until I find my time and place, I will be fearless! surrendering modesty and grace.

I will not disappear without a trace. 

I'll shout and start a riot, be anything but quiet. Christopher Columbus, I'll be Astonishing.

Astonishing.

ASTONISHING...AT LAST."

- Jo March, Little Women the Musical

(Somehow this Musical has meant so much to me in every situation)

Call Me Emotional But...

There is something about marching in my college band and not with my Tiger Band family that stirs up swelling emotion inside of me.
I sat in the bleachers at our first performance today, thought back on competitions before and looked down at my red uniform. All I could think was that I wished it was the purple and white I'd worn before. Thinking about the love I have for the family that gave me my first 4 years of musical experience, I teared up. Right there in all of the excitement and fun, I just teared up and thought back on the group I love so dearly.
I went to a Tigers game last weekend too. Watching the show was cool, hugging old friends was great, but the rain drove the band inside and I followed. They began to play pep tunes as loud as they could in the cement tunnel rousing up the student section. It was little spontaneous moments and memories like that I miss so much. Once again, amidst excitement, I began to cry.
I don't understand how I can adjust so well to school, and not feel one bit of homesickness, but once I'm in a band rehearsal here, a new form of home sickness happens and I can't help but wish my High School director was up on the tower, and I was amidst a sea of purple, not red.
Now before someone here at school gets upset, I don't have anything against this college band, it just isn't my family, or a replacement for my family. I can say, "maybe one day", but right now that seems impossible. The Tiger Band is my band family; past, present, and future.

Back Again.... I Hope.

This happens so often, I go on a blogging kick and write almost daily, and then I forget about it for a month or two. And here I am back again with the desire to write.
Ironically enough, I want to write about cycles.
 I feel like there are so many cycles in our lives that never change. Some cycles provide good routine and create good habits, but sometimes cycles have a negative hold on us.
Sometimes the mundane and usual cycles in life bore us. Other times we get too comfortable with a cycle and we become too afraid to break free and try new things. The worst scenario is when you are stuck in a cycle that is a constant movement from positive to negative and you have no clue as to how to get out. You know you should and would love to break free of the cycle, but you just don't know how to go about that. I guess it takes a lot of effort, thought, and prayer to find your way out of cycles like that.

Well, we'll see if I can break this cycle of writing-not writing-writing-not writing-...etc. as well as some others.