GAH, how are you supposed to shred with your GCSEs approaching?

Rekuss · #1 05-02-2007, 04:51 PM

Hey,

I'm gonna have a bit of rant. Well as many teens my age are getting ready for their GCSEs and having to revise, my guitar playing has to come second (which is not good) and not only with school work but normal work just takes up so much time. This week seems of flown by and I haven't even practised once. When I do find the odd two hours to practice I'm totally knackered!

I know I'm not really making a point but I was just wondering how you guys coped with managing guitar practice and vital exam revision. I know having a routine is good and I do kinda have one but most nights I just feel like poo. I know I only have to keep this revision up for only two months, so prehaps I should just relax and do mega sessions at the weekend lol

Well, I'm done rambling

Reece

Sabre · #2 05-02-2007, 05:46 PM

I'm getting ready for them too, except I've been playing guitar more than revising which can't be a good sign, I just want enough to get me into the 6th form though and I'll be OK; And I've got 12 weeks off too practice guitar now!

Rekuss · #3 05-02-2007, 05:49 PM

Yeah, that's what I need em for, I don't plan to leave education for a while. I still feel like a child lol. Lucky, I've got study leave like in about 2 weeks.....

Sabre · #4 05-02-2007, 05:53 PM

We do too, I better start revising properly next week, or I'm not going to get the 5 C's that I need to go on and take Music, that'd be abit of a disaster seeing I want to go on and play guitar In music college. Try and balance it if you can, say an hour revising, then a half hour on guitar as a break.

andy7jem · #5 05-02-2007, 06:56 PM

Make sure you do well in your exams as your priority. You have the rest of your life to perfect awesomeness on the guitar

If you make a career as a musician then great.....but if it doesn't work you need a well paid job to afford all the guitars/gear

the.godfather · #6 05-03-2007, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy7jem

Make sure you do well in your exams as your priority.

I have to agree.

I'm only 20, so it wasn't too long ago that I was taking my GCSE's. And I have to say, I didn't touch the guitar until they were over, same with my A-Levels. It's just not worth risking your qualifications/potential career over.

If you really want to get some playing in whilst revising still, just try playing guitar for like 15 or 20mins a night. It will still keep your playing fresh, but still give you plenty of time for revising and studying.

waylay00 · #7 05-03-2007, 02:32 PM

Can someone explain what GSCE and "vital exams" are?

Dee · #8 05-03-2007, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy7jem

Make sure you do well in your exams as your priority. You have the rest of your life to perfect awesomeness on the guitar

If you make a career as a musician then great.....but if it doesn't work you need a well paid job to afford all the guitars/gear

Wow. I am the complete opposite of this. I stayed off school to play instruments, it was much more important to concentrate on musical happiness. Not that I should influence anyone, I'm just pointing it out. I'm broke, but I'll shred til my fingers bleed!

**jono** · #9 05-03-2007, 03:06 PM

I have to say, in these next few weeks, the guitar has to come second. More so than ever we live in a society that needs you to have good GCSEs to go on to do A-levels then good A-levels to go to university, which is the only way to get student loans to buy new gear and live away from home so there's no-one to tell you to turn it down ...

Or something like that

Seriously though, cut back to like 15 minutes a day if that, just practice a couple of your favourite songs once through until the exams are over, just to give you a taste.

When your exams are over, you'll have a long summer break to practice in

I have to say that I HATED revising for my GCSEs and my parents were REALLY strict about making me do my revision, but I ended up with top marks in every subject I took and in the long run it was worth it.

Besides you'll appreciate having quality time with your guitar in the summer more if you have to sacrifice it for a few weeks

Good luck to everyone sitting exams this summer

AirGuitar · #10 05-05-2007, 06:32 PM

Exams have to be your priority

I didnt start playing until i finished my GCSE's, but im in the middle of my university finals at the moment (exams are in a week) and the guitar isnt really being used much.

Short Term Pain = Long Term Gain

pawel · #11 05-05-2007, 08:45 PM

I have nothing to add to the above - exams are crucial. I didn't go to school in the UK and never took GCSEs, but I found it interesting some large City companies would actually ask you for GCSE results when you apply to their recruitment schemes - clearly these must be very important even 5-10 years later.

I personally find that playing a bit of guitar here and there is a great way to relax a bit during revision sessions (MSc exams for me, so I am in the same boat). You can't possibly study non-stop (it does get counter productive at some point), so you don't necessarily have to give up guitar. Just don't make it a priority over your revision.

Dee · #12 05-05-2007, 09:39 PM

On the other hand, I know people with tons of qualifications who can't get a job, I'm talking computer geniuses and stuff here. Unemployed ones!

Rekuss · #13 05-06-2007, 09:34 AM

Yeah, I know I have to give it break but why does it happen when I'm all fired up?! lol They start in about two weeks, I'm kinda prepared but kinda not........

MilkshakeFiend · #14 05-06-2007, 08:19 PM

I focused during my GCSEs. It's definately worth it - Uni's still look at GCSEs when offering places for courses. Me and my mate applied to the exact same degree Audio Tech course, and we have been given the same predicted A-Level grades, and only I was offered for the Degree course - he's only been offered the HND - because he got a C in maths and physics, and I got a B.

Wait til summer holidays for guitaring. Your summer holidays post-gcse are the longest you'll get in your education - make good use of it then, aye? I did; that's when I got my first 'good' guitar.

And if you do A-level music, be prepared to practise yer arse off. Performing exams are a bastard, and so is the performance investigation. Playing your chosen recital soon becomes a chore, and just playing something different is a luxury. One I couldn't really afford, hence I am now SICK of Satch.

I think jono and the.godfather have the right idea; 15-20 minutes a night, maybe before you go to bed, just to chill yer mind out from revision and last minute cramming. (or am I the only one who had to learn things last minute..?

)

Good luck in your exams. May the force be with you.

timi_h · #15 05-06-2007, 10:50 PM

its true. hard, but has to be done. i try to ration my guitar time by "ill do this past paper, then i can have a cuppa tea and a bit of playing for my % on the paper/3 so you are more encouraged to do make sure you do a good job on the paper!
ive had to ditch that strategy recently, university is a LOT harder than A levels and the playing is suffering as a side effect! only time i really get to do it is at the weekly band rehearsal.
gotta have your priorities right though, chances of making it as a guitarist are pretty slim but your chances of getting a decent "regular" job thanks to better grades is almost guaranteed success!
good luck in your exams, soon you will have the best summer holiday in your life!