At one time or another, we have all had our “Dreyfoos moment.” It’s that moment when, as a freshman, we first walked through Dreyfoos’ halls and thought, “I can’t believe I go to this school.” This is the honeymoon period. After a couple of months, the novelty wears off and a reality bomb drops. You start stressing about the next performance, tournament, jury, etc. Suddenly, going to Dreyfoos isn’t all rainbows and CityPlace lunches. It’s a lot of work.
I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes communications makes me want to tear my hair out. Whether it is from staying up until one in the morning to finish my final draft for The Muse or having constant stress dreams about my next debate tournament, communications is making me go bald. And yet I have stayed married to my major. Despite all of the work, stress and late nights curled up in a ball sobbing, I love communications. Unfortunately, many students don’t feel this love anymore. Once artistic balls of sunshine, these students have become major haters.
There are two main types of major haters. First, you have the overworked student. Although they started out loving Dreyfoos, the overworked student slowly transitioned into a hater. After months this major hater doesn’t like being outshone. They are uncomfortable with the competitive atmosphere at Dreyfoos because everyone has talent. In their AP Music Theory class, they aren’t the only student who knows adagio from allegro, and this bothers them. These haters feel like they are just one of the crowd and are tired of not standing out. They can be easily identified because of the resentment they feel towards their peers. In the fast and furious world of high school at Dreyfoos, it is easy to get caught up in all of the of calculus, physics and other rigorous courses, this hater sees their art area as a nuisance— something that has only prevented them from focusing on their academics. The overworked student is not accustomed to staying after school for three hours for a band concert or to work at an art show. This case of major hatred is often the most devastating because at one point, they loved going to an arts school, but the school part got in the way.
Next is the big fish in the big pond. Once the most talented singer in their church choir or the drama queen of middle school,this major hater doesn’t like being outshone. They are uncomfortable with the competitive atmosphere at Dreyfoos because everyone has talent. In their AP Music Theory class, they aren’t the only student who knows adagio from allegro, and this bothers them. These haters feel like they are just one of the crowd and are tired of not standing out. They can be easily identified because of the resentment they feel towards their peers.
In the fast and furious world of high school at Dreyfoos, it is easy to get caught up in all of the tests, homework and rehearsals. The best way to remedy the stress caused by being an artist is to get back to your roots. Why did you come to Dreyfoos in the first place? It wasn’t because you love the smell of a train station in the morning or because of the wonderfully “edible” cafeteria food. It was because your major made you happy.