Education or Money?

[Nexus Carbuncle]

Hey Suites! You've always given good advice, so here goes:

I'm currently in college, a very good one. I spent my entire high school career practicing, so that I'd be able to get a good music education after the poor one I had in high school, and it paid off; five years later (I'm a sophomore) I'm in a world-class conservatory and getting a damn good education. But a damned expensive one.

The school I attend is 50k a year, though, thanks to scholarships and loans, it costs around 32K for me, so that's 128k after four years. Now, my parents can pay that, but it's a serious burden, and I feel incredibly guilty about it. And since I'm a clarinet major, it's not like I'll be able to pay them right away.

So, is it right for me to be getting my dream education, when my parents have to suffer for it? Should I be feeling guility? /:

 

[scrub]

Obviously they think you are worth it and can succeed... don't waste the opportunity they are giving you smile  

[wo_nyrmo]

If your parents are willing to pay for it then take that opportunity.

Not alot of kids have parents that will pay for such a thing even if they have the funds to do so or can't afford to pay for such a thing and thus the kid is left on his own.

Just really appreciate the gift they are giving you as I'm sure it isn't something as trivial as you having to pay them back like it is some sorta loan from the folks. Though in time you should pay them back when you can as it would be a really nice gesture on your part.

So yea no need to feel guility for it just make sure you show your appreciation and show them you will do your best and fullfill your dreams.  

[Lychee Fruit]

It's far better to finish the degree and have something to show for all that money than to quit halfway and have nothing. Those pieces of paper mean everything in the world to people who don't have the time to check and see what kind of person you are. 3nodding  

[Szen]

I was going to say basically what Lychee said. I think they would probably hate for you to give it up now more than having to pay for it all. :3  

[Nexus Carbuncle]

Thanks, guys. I feel a little better. A little guilty, still, but a little better.

I actually called my parents the other day with this, and their reaction was "STFU and stop worrying so much." xD

 

[Aaditya]

It's great that your parents are helping you out and n 18k scholarship is nothing to scoff at, so you're definitely doing your part. If you want to help more you can always pick up some work study. It'll only be like 2-3k less on tuition a year but they usually give you jobs where you're sitting around (optimal studying time).  

[Maze]

Lol, Nexus. You doofus.

Follow your dream already. It'll cost you a lot more to suffer being grounded than to try flying.

It's good to hear your parents are the practical/useful sort, though.

Go for it. biggrin For you. 3nodding  

[Nexus Carbuncle]

@Aadi- Yeah, my professor teaches advanced high schoolers as well as us college kids. He gives beginning students to his undergrads and grads, and so, yeah, it won't pay much, but I can get a few students to teach on the weekend. Also, there's plenty of paying work I can do over the Summer, at music camps and things like that around here. [:

@Maze- D'aw. I don't know what to say to that. I can only smile. [:

@Maui- That's fine, except it's not. The education that I want, that's ******** up my parents' retirement, that you "almost burst out laughing at" is very necessary for the path I want to take. Look down on me and my "piece of paper" all you want, but I want to be an orchestral musician someday, and I'd like to, as my professor does, be able to push kids in that direction. Know how many clarinet jobs open up in an orchestra, in America, each year? Less than ten. Know how many pay enough that I won't starve? Four. If it's a good year. Know how many orchestras will even let you audition without proper credentials? None.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing all that I can do make my dream a reality. Now, I don't know about fame, but respect comes with being good at what you do, even if you don't seek it, and I don't care about making a fabulous amount of money. However, I do want to make enough that I can don't have to worry about feeding myself. Reeds, maintenance (I own A, Bb, Eb, and bass clarinets), and rent are still a reality.

1) I received education in a band room. The school I went to had an excellent band program, but was horrible for individual players. Outside of class, however, I went to clinics all around the country, went to england, and was in the top 3 players in my state. I had two teachers, but a lot of the out-of-class work was on my own.

2) I study with a world-class musician at a fantastic conservatory. He works freelance, but is in constant demand, frequently leaving the school for weeks, and he is highly respected. He is also my mentor and my friend, and through him I have met some of the most talented musicians in the world (I got to meet Yo-Yo Ma, Renée Fleming, and others), and he has promised to make sure I have a job once I leave the school.

3) I study clarinet, but I play speciality, secondary instruments, (Eb, and Bass, on top of A and Bb, again). Eb clarinet is ridiculously hard to tune, and very technically demanding.

4) If I did not have the heart for music, I'd say, I don't think I'd be where I'm at. My school is a school of less than 1000, and we're all artists, dancers, and musicians. One does not go unless he or she is incredibly dedicated. In fact, part of the reason I didn't try for Juilliard, is because the kids there only want to be the next principal of the New York Philharmonic, and make 500k a year, and it's overly-competitive. Not my thing.

5) Why ask? Because I have two parents that I see three times a year, now, who are having to delay retirement, and much-needed renovations to our house, who I can't thank enough, that are putting me through school, while only I benefit from this.

 

[[X]Harajuku[X]]

I think its sweet you care about that,to me says a lot about your character.Also,I'm kinda having the same problem myself,I'm actually trying to get into for Music Arts program,and I also play Clarinet heh,Anyways that's all besides the point.I think if ya could help out your parents would appreciate it but I think they wouldn't have taken on that responsibility if they couldn't handle it,so I don't think you should feel guilty but instead feel grateful they are doing what they can to see you succeed.  

[Maze]

Periods and commas are generally followed by another space. It prevents your posts from looking like the glue fell all over it.

Spaces. They really are your friends~.

@Nexus: *pat*  

[Nexus Carbuncle]

No, orchestras are overly competitive. Incredibly so. All I was saying is that for my education, that is not the best environment in which to grow.

Why's making an orchestra so important to me? Because it's my dream. That's why. One does not need a reason to dream. And, I'd be a lousy composer, I know that for a fact. And again, it's so important to me that music be my career because it's what I want. Music is what I love best. I love clarinet. I love playing it. If I have to make a career out of something, if I want to make myself happy, why not do what I love best, for a living? My dad supports me because he always tells me that if I get a job doing music, I'll never work a day in my life.

You do have a point about putting my well-being first. To an extent, that's exactly what I signed on to when making the decision to attend my school. But, still, I can't help but feel guilty.