Life as a Dual Degree Student

Everyone says things like:

 “Don’t bite off more than you can chew,”         
“You start to feel like a jack of all trades and a master of none,” 
“You can do everything mediocrely or be the very best at one thing.” ​

And all of this is true! But it doesn’t help to hear when you really love what you do, and you happen to do two different things. For me, it’s writing and flute. Once I realized my passion for the flute and my love of language, it was clear I didn’t love one more than the other. And because of that, I am a dual degree student today. I want to write and play flute professionally and simultaneously. But that’s tough, especially if you know anything about the dedication required to truly master either art.

Right now, for instance, I am sitting to write this after twenty-minute segments of alternating practicing and researching MFA programs for grad school. And then there’s the rest of it--ensembles, lessons, recitals, regular homework, and heaven forbid a friend wants to hang out! It’s crazy, and not to sound as though my attitude is “woe is me,” but after a while, I really have started to feel like Elastagirl, stretched so thin it seems impossible.

However, if you’re out there and you love music and the thought of not doing it makes you really, really hurt inside, then stick with it. And if you have another passion that also makes you excited and ready to make meaning of the world from a different angle, then stick with that too! Basically, after doing this back and forth thing for a couple years, I’ve learned a couple things.

• Life is like a rough draft, or a rehearsal. You’re just working on yourself through whatever it is you do. And honing in on the things you really care about will allow you to shape yourself.
• I could alter the advice about “doing one thing really well or everything mediocrely.” What I would say is this: Yes, it is impossible to do everything really well. Even Superman couldn’t do everything. But that doesn’t mean you have to pick just one thing. I firmly believe it is possible for your passions to balance and influence one another. There are things I’ve learned about music and artistry as a flutist that I would never have known if I hadn’t taken the time to free my creative side for the liberty of writing. And there is a discipline I’ve been able to apply to my writing that I never would have had if I hadn’t learned how to practice like crazy. I once had a flute teacher who loved to fly airplanes. He used that skill to demonstrate all sorts of things to his students because he applied a dual degree approach to life.
• If you’re a dual degree student, it doesn’t mean you have a pressure to be better at one of your two disciplines! Just grow with both. 
• It’s important to take time to be present for whatever it is you are focusing on at the moment. I have to remind myself to stop thinking about the next thing and the next and the next and just hear what is going on around me. 
• Your peers are valuable! When you talk to them about writing, you’re practicing writing. When you listen to a new piece that a friend recommended, you’re practicing music.
• Be prepared for a lot of hard work and a lot less leisure than you might want. But also realize that the work is worth it and yours is a longer trajectory. It will pay off! ​

Sarah Castle