Fitting guitar around your studies

'Essay or guitar, essay or guitar? It has to be in on Monday, but I will never rule at the guitar without practise. What do I do?'


Sound familiar?


This is a common problem for many guitar players in full time education, whether its school, college or university. It can be very tricky, you don't want to get a low grade for your studies, but you don't want to neglect the guitar. Choosing which one you should dedicate your time to can be tricky, most people will follow there brain and choose the essay, but if you plan your time properly and focus on what your doing, you can easily find the time for both.


I have recently graduated from a Btec nation diploma in film and TV, and I am very proud of my final grade. But did I spend all my days off and evenings in front of my computer typing essays? no way Jose. Did I ever miss work deadlines? No way Jose. Did I spend my days off and evenings playing hours of guitar? Hell yes!! Did my grades suffer? No way Jose!!


My class mates never new how I managed it. But all I did was plan my time.


As every course is different I cant really give you a plan to use, but here are some tips that might help.


-Do not waste time when your at college. I am not saying working through lunch is good, because that would be crazy, what I mean is; when you are given time in classes and tutorials to work, use it, instead of playing game after game of pac man online.
- Do not sleep in to late on days off. If you get up about the same time you would for college you will have more time to spend on both guitar and essays.
- Plan your essays. Every teacher tells you to do it. If you plan what your going to write first instead of thinking it up as you go along it will take up less time, and will be easier to get the top grade.
-Plan exactly what your going to work on on the guitar. Whether you have 3 hours to practice, or 30 minutes to practice. If you plan it before hand you will get a lot more out of the session. A short practice can still be a good practice if you plan how you will use it well.


I hope this has helped you out. You could also apply this idea to fitting guitar around a job, raising your children or what ever major tasks you have.


Trust me, it takes a little bit of getting used to, but it works.


Let me know if this has helped you.