an assignment for school...

Rebecca Schartz

March 31, 2011

Portfolio One - EPL 259

  What choices have led me to be a university student?

  The education path was not one, when I was 18-years old, that I thought I wanted or needed to be on. Beginning at a young age, I diligently practiced piano for hours at a time -- this is what my life revolved around. Piano first, academia second. Music brought me to life. Music gave me motivation. Music has quite possibly changed my life.

  My parents, musicians themselves, set me up for success. Beginning in the fourth grade, I had weekly piano lessons. In the seventh grade we added weekly clarinet lessons. Theory lessons were added a few short years later. While in high school, I remember sitting in biology class and silently fingering, on a yellow no. 2 pencil, scales and Mozart clarinet concertos. When the bell rang, I moved on to my next class and did the same.

  In my junior year in high school, I had to start making decisions where my life was going. As a solid C student, my grades were below average, and I knew in my heart that I did not want to put my parents into debt paying for my college. I made my wish known; I did not want to continue schooling, I wanted to be a musician. A successful musician.

  My mother who is a nurse, my father who was a World War II Air Force veteran, and I started talking about possibilities. During my junior year I concentrated on clarinet practice/performance, and during that summer I auditioned for military bands. After serving in the Air Force Band Program for 13+ years immediately after high school graduation, here I sit patiently hoping for an acceptance letter from The Ohio State University College of Nursing. Obviously there was a definite change of heart.

  My husband and I married in 2005, the same year that we relocated to Germany (for the Air Force), and the same year my Father was diagnosed with cancer. I found my best friend and soul mate in my husband, but I lost one of my vital supporters, role models, and best friend; my Father. During the 4 years that my Father battled cancer and my Mother stood by caring for him, I heard about BJ. BJ was my Father’s oncology nurse. Other than my Mother... she was his favorite nurse.

  In October of 2008, I visited my beloved parents and accompanied them to my Father’s chemotherapy appointment. I got to meet Nurse BJ. Watching her interact with my best friend and Father, I instantly knew that my heart and presence on Earth was to help others in need. To help wonderful individuals like my Father fight cancer, and also help insanely strong women like my Mother who standby watching their loved one degrade.

  Accepting the fact that I was going to leave a $65K/year full-time job with full benefits to become a college student seemed like an ant hill compared to telling the man and woman who lovingly raised me and provided years worth of private lessons and costly musical instruments. It was one of the hardest things I have had to do to date. 

  Becoming a university student was not a decision made lightly. My husband and I lived a very comfortable life in the military; one that neither of us regret. Making the life altering decision of late nights, no social life, stress, less time together, and countless deadlines is the new motivation in my life. Music is definitely still a vital part, but no longer the main focus. The new motivation for success is making my decision worthwhile. Failing now is not an option. 

  The bumps in the road: pre-requisite grades, studying constantly, weight gain, an unstructured life, and countless hours in front of the computer screen will be forgotten when one day I am helping others. I believe in karma; the hard work and extreme dedication I put into schooling now will be returned at some point later in life. We are certainly born with hereditary characteristics; I was fortunate to receive the love of music from my musical parents. I also believe I inherited a great work ethic, a kind and compassionate heart, and a love for all people. With these strengths, I will make an amazing nurse! A nurse that will play piano concertos and share stories about traveling the world for my country.