I'm taking this survey at 2am... I've been awake since 7am

So I got a nice little email from my WONDERFUL college (emphasis on wonderful) that had inside none other than a little survey on how the music school can be creative. Creative. Creative. Creative... Creative.

Creative.

Dear Ithaca College,

What. The. Fuck?

As if music isn't already the definition of creativity, emotion, expression, and a ton of other words that i don't know and am too lazy to look up. So I figured, hey, why not? i mean it's just a stupid survey. that's when i noticed the COMMENT section to each question. Each question is rated 1-5. 5 being "Strongly agree" as usual. No- not questions. OPINIONS. Oh, I'm sorry, Ithaca... did I hear some slight chance that I might have SOME SMALL PORTION OF INDIVIDUALITY? i'm not a number anymore? i'm not student #701387195? I'M NOT JUST A CRAPPY SCORE ON THE SAT! WOOO!

Before you, the reader (that is, if i have any at this point), go and point fingers to the various drugs i'm on and all the possible little illegal things i can get my awkwardly shaped hands on, rest assured that i am in no way under the influence of any drug. only medication.

I already filled out some of the survey. might as well go and post my answers here because there's a fat chance that Ithaca actually WILL listen to me. but what do i know? I'm just a freshman music student who has as little individuality as black people in the 1950's. There were only one or two cool ones, the others were all the same.

So. Might as well get on with the show, right?

What Class Are You In?
First Year

Despite Studies and Other Responsibilities, you are able to be connected to the most meaningful and creative parts of your work
4

Comment on how you stay connected to the importance of your work and what is the most meaningful/creative part of your work:
It just makes sense. Music is related to music.

You have enough time and energy to feel renewed in order to think creatively
2

Comment: If you don't feel connected in order to think creatively, are there specific changes that could be made in the music school to improve this (beyond reduced course load)
Beyond reduced course load, I feel like the professors should understand a typical music student's schedule. Most of the classes are just one or one and half credits, making us take an insane amount of classes per semester. The expectation should still be high, but they have to understand that the students are not only taking just one class.

You feel most of the music courses you take emphasize creative approaches to the material (P.S. I just closed the tab that had all my answers on it. so i am now doing this live.)
I'll give it a 4

Comment on how these approaches are emphasized; if they are not, suggest ways in which you feel they might be.
Well, in regards to Musical Styles, Professor White has a very creative take on it. He goes off and relates music to some semi-pop culture (albeit somewhat outdated), but it works. Creativity is really up to the individual.

You would like to explore creative activities other than those you're usually involved in.
hmm... i think a 4

Comment on what creative activities you would like to explore:
Non music courses? I mean, anything outside of the music school is a good break from trying to please all of the adults in my life.

You would like the school to help foster creativity in ways that it does not currently.
I believe I gave this a 3.

Comment on what form that might take:
Creativity is really up to the individual. You can teach a monkey to write, but it'll still be... a monkey. Okay, that was a bad analogy... But creativity isn't something you are taught via textbook, it's like common sense. It's just there. You aren't taught it (or maybe i'm wrong with the way parenting is going these days in this country), but it has that unique characteristic of just being second nature. some have it, some don't. it's up to the individual, their personality, their opinions, and their own thoughts. The school can help I guess by letting the students express themselves, but the school already does that. Maybe the school should have arts and crafts after school on Wednesdays? Perhaps a workshop maybe on how to actually be an individual person.

You would like the school to hold one or more "restorative" retreats for students.
3.

Comment on what type of retreat would be valuable:
If it was optional, it'd be good. Music students will explode if they're away from their instrument for too long.

You would like the school to provide a program for students on stress management.
OH DEAR GOD YES. THAT IS A 5!

Comment:
That would be very helpful. I stressed out my back during midterms week from all the studying and hunching over the computer like a zombie and from mopping floors at 1am for work.

You feel your coursework is designed to ensure that you will continue to think creatively after graduation.
What is this even asking? 4 i guess?

Comment on specifics:
As you could probably tell from my previous answers, that I am quite creative. It's part of the whole personality thing, something a computer wouldn't understand.

You collaborate creatively with students outside the music school or in the larger community.
5

Comment:
Someone has to have a sense of humor when they're working until 1am.

You've taken courses outside the music school that help students explore specific aspects of creativity.
5 (just for the first half of the sentence; "You've taken courses outside the music school")

Comment: If so, what are those courses/aspects?
Italian 101 and Academic Writing, which I almost spelled "Academic" completely wrong.

Italian taught me that all Italians are happy and they like pasta. Also, that if the professor doesn't feel like teaching, they can cancel class. Especially at 9am.

Academic Writing taught me how to be a cynical bitch to everyone. How to overanalize things and try to find meaning in words that aren't there. I loved my professor though. He has a good taste in hats.

You would like faculty from other schools to give workshops for music students (e.g. how to dance the Sarabande) that would enhance the learning experience within the school.
the fuck? who would actually want to dance a sarabande? i mean, if you want to die, i guess you could. I'm giving this a 4 just for the mention of sarabande.

Comment, including suggested topics:
no one wants to dance a sarabande. however, i do like the workshop of how not to kill yourself by playing your instrument. i think it was called yoga? But it has to be at a better time, as in, when people don't have class, because 9:30 totally cuts into class and me-time.

Improvisation (the spontaneously structured performance of music regardless of style) is of value to you.
5 (oh high school... BE SPONTANEOUS!)

Comment:
All music of any performance or structure is of importance to me. However, life is too boring to have predictable situations and this also applies to music. instead of, say, at the end of a huge symphony have the last cadence be a perfect authentic cadence of V-I, have it end with a triangle beat. Kind of how I ended this survey.

All music students should be able to improvise at least a little.
5

Comment:
What's the harm in playing a few random notes?

All music students should be able to compose at least a little.
5

Comment:
I call it... the crinkle concerto.

The music school should put greater effort into integrating creativity, both within the school and across schools (for example via multi-media, but potentially with any number of programs).
... what? uh... i think 3?

Comment:
... I don't understand the statement.

The number of hours each week you devote to attending class, rehearsals, and performances is:
Oh god... umm... so like... 26 hours of legit class time, plus all the times Galvan has yelled at me for skipping a performance for work... i'd say like 30.

The number of hours each week you devote to preparing for classes, lessons and performance (other than rehearsals) is;
Oh jeeze... I have to CALCULATE this? let see... 3 hours of homework per night plus 3 hours studying per night so 6 times 7 is 42? lets round down so i dont look like a tool. 40.

The number of hours each week you devote to relaxing, de-stressing, maintaining friendships, and the like:
too many... so the 5 hours of sleep, 3 hours of playing video games in Nicole's room... i'd say 20.

Are there other comments you would like to share related to creativity in the school of music?
*ding*

THATS IT. THE END OF THE SURVEY. GO HOME.