5 Things I've Learned #1: College/University | Tiffany Vlogs

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Hi! P. S. Ultimately, which school you choose isn't the most important, how you spend your time pursuing your passion is. Good luck 🤗

[@jaredgreathouse3672]

Agreed. Only thing that "really" matters regarding school is what school is right for "you". "Right for you" being "the places that'll educate you best and give you the best opportunities". The school I'm going to is gonna waive tuition for my doctoral studies and gimme a minimum 4 maximum 5 year stipend. If I had the choice between both Ga State and Ga Tech, or... I don't know, Stanford, I'm going with the former two since they're making it worth my while more than (presumably) Stanford would. Otherwise, school is irrelevant, if school A gives you a better deal than the ostensibly "better" school B, take school A and make your own way in pursuing your dreams.

[@lukejones7842]

This is invaluable to me.... Enough said

[@mihaelsalkovic8088]

Where can I buy notes of beethoven in the book.

[@TheMadisonHang]

After going to Stanford and juliard... I guess you have a right to say that

[@davidw6936]

College was a long time ago for me. Looking back, it wasn’t the content that I studied that mattered, it was the process: learning how to study, do research, think critically, stick with a hard problem until I mastered it. I gained a lot of confidence.

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Oh yes! It's the process of studying philosophy that influenced and inspired me the most, not necessarily the content of what each philosophers argued water is 😅

[@davidheatlie4813]

I agree with David. Its been a very long time since I went to uiversity. I always tell the university student volunteers I meet that they are there to learn how to learn, where to find the infomation they need or as David says do reseach, think critically, explore different ideas when looking for a solution because a combination of two or more ideas maybe a better solution. I have had 7 different engineering jobs in my career and the content I studied at university was not relevant to any of the jobs. Things change over time, rhat is progress. I doubt Steinway Spirio was available in the 50s when I first studied piano or in the 70s when I started university. Dave

[@pietvanvliet1987]

Maybe this helps: You're trying to teach me something, so you looking directly into the camera isn't you being self centred, it's you being polite.

[@isaiahjarmon4515]

yeah. It's not like it's a mirror

[@nataliecu1310]

You know it’s gonna be a good day when you hear one of Clara Schumann’s pieces and makes you smile :’)

[@jayyogan]

I graduated from college a long time ago. My mentor in college said one thing that 40 years later still resonates. "What you learn in college is the foundation." It's up to you to build upon that. Keep striving.

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Yesss 👏

[@4TsGAL]

Your first lesson mentioned is my favorite of your 5 learned lessons. "Things happen for a reason." You are very wise for a 24-year-old. I'm 95 and still learning. 🤔😉 I absolutely love your piano playing! ❤ Thank you for the beautiful music you bring to us. I have your Natural Beauty CD and really look forward to your upcoming release so I may listen to even more of your beautiful classical piano music throughout each day. 👍

[@taefhayabusa]

U are also very progressive and cognitive for a 95 years old, i wish you have a lovely day

[@ThatBoomerDude56]

3:55 Then it is a *very good thing* for not only your main fans, but for the world of classical music, that you went to Columbia and majored in Philosophy. Thank you for doing that.

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

🙏 Columbia 🤓

[@thelamamamma9438]

Thank you so much for this! Philosophy, even though I haven't studied it in school, has inspired me to appreciate the opportunity of documentation (music for past thoughts, emotions, etc. and film for specifically past moments themselves).

[@juliathaler4602]

This was very encouraging to hear as a (very afraid) high school senior. Hope to see more of these videos!

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Don't be afraid! Go for it 🤗 (I'm so grateful I have friends who constantly remind me of this)

[@katherinelopez2285]

I think this is such an important topic to discuss. I felt that fear of not knowing what to study, and to think about pleasing my family, or what they wanted me to become bc they couldn't. I felt extremely stressed out, and I wasted so much time thinking about it. Luckily, I was able to finally study what I wanted despite the circumstances, and I love what I do. I'm still in college, and it's been challenging, yet so much fun! So please do not feel discourage if you don't know what to do. The important thing is to recognise that, and to look for options and to think how that will affect your future career, and your personal development. U should study what makes you happy, period. I wish somebody had talked to me about it, and that I hadn't feel as bad as I did for not knowing what to do with my life, so tysm to Tiffany for bringing up this topic. :)

[@andresgunther]

We had a "Tiffany Tuesday" and the first "Tiffany Talks" in a long time, all in a single week. 👍! Pursue your passion, and don't let *anybody* talk you or force you into studying for a profession you don't like or are not interested in. And remember: if a door closes to you, a window will open up.

[@Claudiaallegroconbrio]

I think one of the biggest lessons i learned from you is being humble! It's kinda hard to be both confident and humble at the same time but i'm working on it!

[@waeruo]

Randomly Tiffany popped into my head and I thought, "let me see if she's uploaded anything." And woulda look at that 🤣

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Hi 🙆🏻‍♀️

[@waeruo]

@@TiffanyPoonpianist Loving the video 🤍🖤🎹

[@davidwilson7862]

Hey! Wanted to let you know that your talks really help me! I totally understand not wanting to be self centered, but you are one of the most humble people I’ve seen. It’s why I continually watch and enjoy your videos. I started my piano journey very late (especially finding classical so late) And often get discouraged because I see so many other young pianists doing so well. But your talks have really helped me walk through my journey and keep trying to go after something I really enjoy! I play your practice montages on my phone almost every day and it REALLY helps knowing that mistakes are okay and are part of learning. Overall I just wanted to thank you and encourage you because you have really kept my inspiration going and helped me everyday to keep playing. Thank you ❤️

[@RolandHuettmann]

To open up publicly, to allow being hurt maybe... to being vulnerable, but to share one's inner voice, to also enjoy feedback, to possibly being in need of it... to have the deeper insight to say something of value, most adequately using music for such purpose... in the end, all is connected with everything. Some flowers stand out, other grow, still other are just sprouting, so is life in this cosmos. Good luck and happiness to you and to all your audiance.

[@עמיתמשיח-צ1נ]

I can vouch for the first point. I really wanted to be a pianist, but I also wanted to be a composer and I couldn't decide which path to pursue. So I took the entry exams for both departments. I got accepted to the composition department and regected from the piano department. I know now that I wasn't made to be a concert pianist and I no longer wish to be one, composition is the right path for me. I would've realized that sooner or later either way, but my circumstances made it clear to me. Also it doesn't mean I gave up on the piano. I still play, I write for the piano, and hopefully I'll get to performe some of my works myself in the future.

[@cristiirech]

Thank you Tiffany for this video! I'm in first grade of piano at college and sometimes it can be tough to realize if what you're pursuing is worth it for you or not. So these kind of videos encourage me to keep pushing!😊

[@kawaivillalba5454]

This came at the perfect time. For a while, I’ve really been trying to find my “purpose” in life. This school year has been filled with A LOT of introspection and uncertainty. This really helps me filter through my thoughts as I try to discover want I want to pursue in life. Thanks Tiffany, I would love to see more videos like this :)

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Introspection has led me to lots of self-discoveries :) Good luck!!

[@tombufford136]

Pursuing a passion. uplifting and heartening thoughts ! Looking at your profile as you practice the piano, beaming smile and outward expression !

[@laoebpsy]

I think that your video, dear Tiffany, is good and helpful for everyone who is still searching for its way in life. You are analytic, humble, honest and your explanations are clear and positive. I liked to listen to you even I am already a pensioner. I suggest youngsters to listen to this video.

[@duannehaughton4893]

The video is helpful Tiffany! Please continue. When you pause your dedicated practicing to talk us, we enjoy it!

[@KentVBusse]

Your music and your reasoning have great value. My grandchildren are starting to graduate from college, but what you said in this video carries a lot of weight for me. You helped me continue learning.

[@austinc6406]

An insightful video for someone currently going through university! It made me reflect a little on how I can change my mindset to get more out of the university experience.

[@Joe_Peroni]

I wish now I'd paid more attention in Music classes at school! As for Tiffany, when she leant forward in this video (0:15) I was taken aback. Then I almost kissed my phone screen!😄

[@robinpaulson5006]

Thank you for sharing that! It's invaluable. My son is at the cross roads between music and other studies. This is very supportive of choosing what he prefers and not what others prefer him to do myself included. Thank you again!

[@zhengyihuang9845]

Totally agree with your ideas as I'm finding my musical path.. Thank you for sharing!

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Good luck! 🤗🎶

[@chouse8734]

Really like this idea for a new series, thank you Tiffany. I learned during university, and during a long period of time since university too, that the path keeps on taking unexpected routes and being open-minded is a big help.

[@horia4558]

This was so amazing Tiffany. I’m in high school, and looking for college options(I’m a freshman, and I already started). I want to pursue medicine, but piano is my greatest passion. I’ve been playing for 1.5 years, and it feels like I’ve been playing since I was 3. Thank you for everything you do not only on KZbin, but also your side projects(the ones you share with us of course). They bring such inspiration to me; inspiration which I don’t get from anything else. Moreover, with your charity, it is clear that you have changed your subscribers’ lives for the better.

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Awww I wouldn't necessarily say I have the power the change anyone's lives...but thank you :) Follow your passion! Even if you ultimately decide to pursue medicine, you'll naturally find ways to play piano because it's your great passion ❤️

[@ganjamozart1435]

You can always perform even as a doctor. I'm a medic and classically trained in the piano. You just have to prioritise your time and down the line choose a medical specialty that won't eat up all your time i.e. no surgery. Check out Dr Richard Kogan (he's given a few Ted talks). He did Harvard Med concurrently with Julliard. He's a psychiatrist and still performs. He has a fascinating series of lectures on KZbin, exploring composers' psyche and how that affected their music.

[@ganjamozart1435]

@@AL-pu7ux May I ask what specialty you are doing at the moment? I think the medicine and piano combo is an incredibly rewarding one. Medicine gives you all the raw insights into the human condition and music both enriches and gives one the capacity to parse those experiences.

[@pablobear4241]

I know a girl who studies piano as her major and she is on the pre med track. You can take the basic courses like physics, bio, calc, etc. with a piano/music degree. I’d check how difficult it would be, but, if you love piano that much you would probably succeed in undergrad and get a good GPA for med school and get teaching from music school at your college. I would do more research on this for sure, but, it’s a possible option that I think could work great depending.

[@angelapierce619]

Omg I'm so thankful that I found u in KZbin. I'm also a pianist and I've been following u for around a year now. I was always overwhelmed by the effort u put in ur videos, the way u were and are expressing ur feelings through music and the motivation u give me all the time by watching ur vlogs/practice video/random videos. I really respect u for that and thank you again for constantly giving me the motivation to continue on and to not give in. This year is surely the worst since I have to choose between my passion and my studies... It's the exact timing and advices from elders are always helpful. Thank you (again) 🙌🏻🙆

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

It's an exciting time to make such big decisions!! Good luck 🤗 👏

[@djgerard82]

Have been subscribed a while, Tiffany, but have only just learned of your philosophy studies... That explains your philosophical spark/nature that brightens up all your other videos (and the days of your viewers)! Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

🤓 Thank you!

[@willcastellanos1210]

I really like that you are presenting your life as it is, with imperfections and achievements and with a simple solutions to improve, just maintaining a discipline and passion for what you are doing.

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Thank you! 🙏

[@johnsykesiii1629]

Some very good points. As many have commented, college is more about learning how to learn and do research with a critical eye. I completed my college studies over 45 years ago. I started out as a "hard science" major (Biology and Chemistry) but changed to Psychology in my junior year. Later, while in the Army, the opportunity came up to get an additional degree in Environmental Health on Uncle Sam's tab. Did that, and also did some graduate work but did not complete it (like someone else I know). However, the Environmental Health/Environmental Science path ended up being my career path. I just retired last year after 8 years in the Army, 20 years as a Radiation Safety Consultant and 20 years as an Environmental Specialist and Certified Contract Manager/Project Manager with the State of Florida. None of which I even envisioned when I started college in 1967. In summary, my advice is to stay flexible and take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.

[@katie4623]

College is not for everyone but it was the best 4 years of my life. The books I read and studied there will be with me forever. I was an English major.

[@ragestacker]

Tell us a story

[@derekflay5531]

We’ve missed you - what a great new series, and don’t forget to practice and play - we love to share.

[@rfrancisfawkes105]

Thank you Tiffany for the video on the Brahms Concerto rehearsal. I found it inspiring.

[@mindtoheartjourney3154]

Hi Tiffany, Your reflection on your pursuit to study the liberal arts and love for classical music is very encouraging. Thank you! In my experience, both have helped me to know myself and the world around me better, to keep the flame if wonder alive. 🤗🌻

[@olivierporte]

Getting a full-ride scholarship is so important. Especially today with the exorbitant cost of higher education that has far outpaced the rate of inflation. Though I hate to say it, I don’t think most people today could justify getting into debt for a philosophy degree or some other impractical liberal arts degree.

[@AnnaKhomichkoPianist]

Unfortunately...

[@robertgrey5993]

It’s good to have you back.

[@steveli5483]

Hi Tiffany, this video is so inspiring to me. I’m a junior majoring in math and philosophy minoring in music. I was going into college as a math major, but I was told by my math professor to take a logic class in the philosophy department. The professor I had in that class was the best professor I’ve ever had, who was basically the reason I’m adding a philosophy double major. Also, in my first semester, I signed up for a music class just to fulfill the gen-ed requirement for art. I was talking to the music professor and she asked me if I’ve played any instrument. I did play the piano since I was five but I gave up when I was eleven. She encouraged me to pick up piano, and I did! I started playing the piano after 7 years since I last played. This semester I’m taking an aesthetic class. It made think a lot about music and philosophy, and I’m thinking of pursuing a senior thesis on philosophy of music. Your videos have been inspiring to me a lot, and it is fascinating when I learned you are also a philosophy major.

[@markussadler1640]

I just got into a college Junior department so this is perfect timing!! Great to hear what you have to say

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Congrats! :)

[@yagmursenasirin9486]

When I see your face I feel very happy and you make me want to practice piano. Thank you so much for your inspiration and keep striving! ❤️🤗

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

🎹🙈

[@prism6]

Time management is very important, particularly if it's the first time you've been given that much control over your life. In creative fields it's very common to feel guilty when you take time off, as though it directly effects your grades. But endless work is the fast track to burnout, which will hurt you more in the long run. I found my results improved when I gave myself two completely guilt-free nights off per week, and one whole day at the weekend. What I did in my time off fuelled my creativity. 'You have to breathe in to breath out'.

[@ireneli8445]

This is a very relatable video.. I am beyond grateful for the chance of getting this liberal arts education since it introduced me to a wide arrays of fields which I was able to find joy in--art history, philosophy, music, psychology etc. I am a psychology major, but decided to double major in music--I found my ultimate passion for music during college after taking a music theory class. Right now I am preparing an audition for a master piano performance program, and it is a really bold decision for me since I did not become serious about piano after college and did not have a solid foundation to start with. But I decided that music is something I can never live without, and the sheer joy of performing piano on stage is everything I could have dreamt of. It is funny how every time I told my friends from high school that I am going into music I saw a jarring face on them lol I used to agonize over the fact that I got started at such an old age that I would never become a concert pianist, but right now I am happy and grateful for the chance of making music, and the liberal arts education I have gotten during college. this liberal arts education has made me a much more insightful, open-minded individual.

[@erinmalloy9297]

So grateful for this video! I relate so much with your interests, and this answered so many questions that have been worrying me recently about my future. Thank you for the help and words of wisdom!

[@mysto5107]

Hello Tiffany, 5:07 Haha I agree sat english was really annoying for me. There’s now an english duolingo test and its super easy :P. I think that reading and understanding fast doesn’t truly measure someone’s true ability at a language. Anyway, I am currently at this stage that your talking about and I attended to many universities inside and outside of my country. And it has been really tough for me to make decisions. In fact, choosing what class of study in my senior’s class was alone so much difficult. In Lebanon , there are 4 domains of study, and I was lost between General Sciences(heavily concentrated in math and physics), and Life Sciences. I like biology, math, and physics and it wasn’t easy to choose. Part of me was thinking of med school and impressing my parents and another part of me thought that i liked math as my favorite subject so I had to choose General Sciences. I kept switching between classes and I remember the vice principal was going crazy back then.😂 Eventually, I went with general sciences. One of the reasons was my favorite hobby, which is playing piano. I started playing piano two years ago and was motivated by several KZbinrs and artists. I thought that choosing biology and medical school would prevent me from pursuing my dream of becoming a professional pianist. Another reason was because I didn’t want to major in biology only. Now choosing which university to go to is a hard decision as well. Considering the economic crisis and all the problems in Lebanon, traveling would be the logical reason. However I am studying piano here and my parents really want us next to them. In a few months or less, I’ll eventually have to choose. I have no idea if the path that I’m choosing is the right one and no idea where i will be in a year. Only time will tell :P. Watching this was really helpful and made me rethink stuff through. That I should actually choose what I like and what i want. I think we all divert from this idea. However, I think it’s hard to choose if you don’t know what you want. Anyways, Thanks again Tiffany ❤️❤️, this video really helped. A

[@Randy-Wright_Edt]

When I decided to major in music people would say things like "why don't you major in something that will enable you to get a good paying job?" It didn't phase me. After getting my masters I took a job in a small college in North Carolina teaching piano, music history and literature. I met my wife there who was a student at that college. After 4 years the college had a financial crisis and I, along with several other of the latest hired was let go. I was never able to get back into music as a career. The point I'm making is, if I had decided to major in something else I would not have been at that college and met my wife. Which means that my son and my beautiful 6-year old granddaughter would not exist today. Decisions you make, even if they don't lead to something permanent, can effect your life in other, profound ways that you can't even imagine. You're doing a wonderful job with your life Tiffany. I believe you will do great things.

[@WoutDC]

Interesting to learn about this! Important years... For me, my years as a student were a bit of a nightmare, but I definitely learned a lot about myself and changed quite a lot... I think, for me right now, the most important takeaway is that I can always have the things I love in my life, in some way, wich is all the reasurance I need to take on the future.

[@kaitieb8810]

I love watching these little advice videos. I like to write them down and put them all in a little folder to look at them later when I feel unmotivated so that after I read them I feel inspired again. Passing down things you’ve learned is really inspiring :) I’m towards the end of my junior year in HS and about to be a senior, and I’m planning to major in music! I’m nervous about it because I second guess myself but this video and the advice that you give puts me at ease, thank you Tiffany :)

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Aww that's very studious of you haha. My videos aren't really school lectures ;p

[@saikato9946]

Not sure if this helps but... here's a couple things I fount out... it doesn't matter what your want to do, you need to know very clearly what it is. And I think the goal is to never achieve you goal and what I mean by that is, have a goal that's so big you'll never achieve it because that way you'll never stop growing. Second, you need to be 100% dedicated and focus, I mean laser beam focus only towards that goal. Distractions will slow you down. As to how to deal with having multiple passions, I struggle with that myself still but I think I might have the solution... and that is... priotising what you want more first, even though there's a problem in case if you love both things most. Idk, I'll be back in a few years when I figure it out. Stay awesome.

[@throughmyeyesx]

Hey Tiffany. I am currently studying for conservatoire. This is my dream. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I have been playing piano for only 3-4 years but I know this is my purpose in life. Though, I am extremely scared. I am scared that I will fail, I am not good enough, I started late and I will never get into college or nobody will take me seriously. This thoughts make me go crazy almost everyday but I still keep doing this. You inspire me everyday, thank you.

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Don't be scared. I believe in you ❤️Be fearless (in my case, I just was oblivious as a child) As they say, ignorance is bliss...because you have less worries and can follow your heart fully :)

[@dylanwilliams6834]

One piece of advice that I would add or highlight is that the only timeline that is right for you is the timeline that works best for you, not some timeline that people just tell you. In the US, there tends to be the expectation and pressure to "graduate on time” which usually means within 4 years. Or that you need to transfer out of community college in two years, transfer to a university, and get the bachelor's degree. College, and really everything everything, will be far more rewarding, if not more enjoyable, if you go at it on your own pace. I went to Community college right after high school, and transferred to UC Berkeley and I study philosophy. I was admitted in the Spring 2020 semester, and was “supposed” to graduate in the Fall 2021 semester, but I quickly realized that the timeline wasn’t going to be for me. I had been told by my peers and school officials that it would be practically impossible to get an extension. Well, as luck would have it, I made my case to the college advisor and was granted an extension. So, I now have two semesters to go, and I don’t have to cram 20 units worth of classes in one semester. That extra semester allowed me to not only pursue philosophy at my own pace, but also take that interesting looking class that’s outside the scope of my major each semester. We all strive in different ways and at different rates. Do what’s right for you, not what others might think or say is right for you

[@dylanwilliams6834]

Edits were grammatical. And I did not realize that since I edited, it would erase Tiffany's "love react" or whatever it's called. I guess I should've just left it? Woops... anyway....back to writing my paper on resentment

[@charliezhu6858]

Great hearing your comments, Tiffany. As for myself, I’m literally a few days away from graduating from my degree in mechanical engineering... except I realized a few months ago I really don’t want to pursue an engineering career. Not that I have this figured out, but one of my profs once gave me the advice to keep adjusting your path as you walk along. This may not really be school related advice per se, but it’s good advice I’m still reflecting on.

[@kustomcreates3873]

hearing your perspective on this is going to be very interesting(i just started watching the video)

[@kiaraeijo]

Hey Tiffany, I finished my Masters last year in the middle of the pandemic and although I didn’t go to a big name school for any of my degrees, I’m lucky that I studied with the teachers that I studied with. Loving this new series!❤️

[@vinharechardt]

A day with a new video of yours is a good day. I wish to attend a concert of yours one day!

[@rockdahaus]

I never was on a college... but in germany, you don't need to go to college (Hochschule/Universität), to have a good job. The school system is different. And the work is different... in germany an McDonalds employee gets paid vacation/sick days. I love your touch on the keys, i like the person we get to see... i wish you the best!

[@arijemami6239]

Literally brought tears to my eyes! This is exactly what I needed to hear ❤

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

🥺❤️

[@cathvanloggenberg8065]

This is absolutely helpful! It's really motivational, thanks Tiffany! 🌸🤗

[@alexandermoy127]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I remember my first day at Columbia College Spanish in Hamilton Hall.

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Hamilton Hall 😍

[@JohnRHaws]

This is the most important Vlog I have ever witnessed. Your career part here is most important. You outlook and your pursuit is most important. Good choices all around.. It is amazing what happens, but all your choices make sense. Interesting choices. I like everything you have done. Thanks. Always. JRH

[@MatttheSavant]

I enjoyed this VLog, so keep it up! Love to here about college and life as a concert pianist today Sorry missed your last DreamStage performance. We’ve caught one...

[@jazzfan7491]

Love this video! And I say that even though I've been out of college for, ahem, a while! What I like about this video is hearing the thoughts of a musician on the world OUTSIDE of music. For instance, the parts about philosophy dept. vs. literature dept. Regarding getting out of New York, it makes perfect sense to me that after so many years at Juilliard you would want to try another city... but I suspect that a few years down the line you may realize how important it was that you have spent so many years in New York -- the most important city artistically in the world. You've been judging yourself and measuring yourself against the very best, for a very long time, and I think if you ever move to another city for a while, the contrast may make you realize how important the atmosphere of New York has been to your development. Now, to change the subject a bit, I think you might enjoy exploring some of the famous movies of New York, especially because most of them were made at a time when New York was very different from what it is today... much poorer, more working class, and more scary! But still a great city! Look into movies by Sidney Lumet (such as Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, Network, also Twelve Angry Men) and maybe Woody Allen (Annie Hall, Manhattan) and of course Coppola's The Godfather 1 and 2, to start. A wealth of great stuff to watch! And later you can do a "5 Movies About New York I Really Liked/Hated/Learned From/Was Annoyed By" 😉

[@zhangchris1120]

So great so see you talking and let us know more about yout life experience...

[@alenamiskinis9527]

Thanks for the advice! I'm loving and improving in my piano major more and more everyday, but I started as an English major, and now I also added Psychology, so three majors! You're right, it's not really stressful, because everything is so much fun and diverse. I'm hoping to go to grad school for music cognition research. Keep striving, keep striding, and keep shining 🤗

[@rogeralleyne9257]

This was a great video!! It took a lot of courage to make this; when we live in a world where ironically the hardest thing to be is independent!!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@AnonYmous-ry2jn]

Some very, very positive messages! I think among the most important is that - and this will seem like a cliche, perhaps it is but cant be helped- is that there will be ups and downs no matter what your objectives are, and among the most important factors in achieving your ultimate priorities in life are knowing yourself and what your priorities and purposes are, knowing what strengths and resources you have available, internally and externally, knowing your obstacles and finding ways to overcome them, and making the most of the ups, and NOT LETTING THE DOWNS DEFEAT YOU. The last part is often the hardest, and this is where the "things happen for a reason" notion is so important. It's not so much that you have to think your setbacks were pre-ordained, that ultimately you must find CONSTRUCTIVE ways to integrate (in the most basic, often most important way, as learning/growing experience) setbacks into who you are, ultimately important, worthwhile experiences. All that said, though, all meaningful goals and objectives require tremendous work. That's true for EVERYBODY, even if this work is invisible to outside viewers. LEARN TO LOVE, CHERISH THE WORK. As long as you LOVE THE WORK, you can work like mad to realize your objectives. Well, this is my summary of what Tiffany appears to be saying (and what her motto "Keep Striving" seems to mean). Keep it up Tiffany!

[@mindylopez4526]

I love your 5 suggestions that apply quite well to life in general, as you stated, even though you centered your video on that crucial point of life where we find ourselves determining how we can best apply our talents and interests in a giving way that benefits everyone. Great video! Hope the responses encourage your continuing this series. 👍😘

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Thank you! I think I will continue 😊

[@drewsperry185]

Thank you so much for this. As a cellist/composer I got into my dream school, but ended up having to choose somewhere else to study for the next four years due to cost of attendance. I know I’ll be happy where I’m going, but your message made me realize that even more :)

[@misfitbxscuit]

a new series!! look forward to this one and i hope to learn a lot from this series too 🥺 bumping the algorithm!

[@lulinasser]

I really like this new idea of 5 things I learned.

[@alejandropolanco5997]

Don't stop doing these, they're so interesting! :)

[@chowbow573]

thanks for this video Tiffany! Right now, even though I love playing the piano and want to pursue a concert career out of it, my interest in psychology and apologetics recently started to grew over these past months. Which caused me to have a trilemma from which course should I really choose. But thankfully, this video of yours came out❤️ It definitely helped me to have a more clear picture. I’ll be taking your advices Tiffany!! Thanks you once again!

[@eckligt]

Yes to a series like this. I have been thinking recently it would be nice to hear in more detail about the contents of your philosophy studies, independent of music. Maybe it could be another installment in this series. I'm not in a position to make demands, though :-)

[@royaazarian2223]

This was really helpful, thanks Tiffany for making such good videos😍😇🎹🎵

[@HidekazuOki]

Excellent video!! I really enjoyed watching this, and I totally agree with all your points!

[@folkeholmberg3519]

It's allways inspiring to listen to you.

[@katherinelopez2285]

Have a lovely day, Tiffany. Love you! 💞🎹🥺 P.s. hello algorithm. 😉

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Thank you ❤️Have a lovely day 😊

[@paololucca1495]

This video was very helpful to me. Thank you Tiffany!

[@aBachwardsfellow]

Neat! I also have a double major in philosophy and music! 14:49 - "luck is a huge component" - I'm scouring my brain to link to a "philosophy of luck" - somewhere between free will and determinism I suppose ;-)

[@oogabooga4427]

So inspiring❤️

[@junhanliao1444]

This is wonderful, thank you Tiffany :D

[@CandaceTravismusic]

I went to both a State university and a private conservatory, I got a minimal music degree, meaning the university required 60 credits outside of my music major which was half of the requirement. I was happy with my piano teacher there and that was the main reason I went. For my Masters degree I went to “heaven” and it was all music. I left being a better musician over all, but in the end I was never able to pursue the career I hoped for due to a family situation, so college should be for your own passion not with the goal of your career only. Especially if it is a music degree, which is still very hard to make a living at no matter which kind of school you attend.

[@Lucatheclimber]

I personally really like this format. I'm very interested in philosophy, so your perspective in Life and Music is always interesting to hear:)

[@evelynchao3348]

wait i love this video a lot!! im really stressed about colleges... and my brother just got rejected of his dream school of columbia and julliard combination program. i love these storytelling vids and motivation and what not

[@minty-es8me]

I applied for universities two years ago. When I was in high school, I had always had a dream university. But when I submitted my pre-screening audition tape, I got rejected. I was so sad and I cried. But I got invited to another two universities for auditions in person. I went and they had very different atmospheres. At the first school, everyone was super nervous on audition day, and I felt like there was tension in the air. It felt as if people talking to each other were trying to guesstimate each other's playing levels. The admissions officers and student volunteers didn't really do much to help ease the atmosphere either. The audition was in a huge concert hall, the panel was really stern, and it was super anxiety-inducing. I've had stage fright my whole life and this entire situation just made it a lot worse. My hands were shaking the entire time I played, and I kept thinking about how much better the person in front of me played. I definitely didn't play my best at that audition. At the second school, it was the exact opposite. Before auditions, they gathered everyone for an "information session" and the speaker started by cracking jokes to relax the atmosphere, and then reminding us to forget that this is an audition, and to play with musicality rather than trying to not make mistakes. Reminding us that the audition panel is also human and likes to listen to enjoyable music rather than being a hawk spotting every single mistake. The audition setting was also much more intimate, and the panel was very friendly and supportive. This brought out a much better side of me and I even felt myself going into a state of flow when playing the audition. Obviously at the end I only got into the second school, and I think it was for the best. Because the setup and atmosphere on audition day really says a lot about how the school is like, what they value, etc. There was a huge tangible difference between the two schools, and I clearly resonated better with the second school's atmosphere than the first. There are some people who would thrive better in a more competitive environment like the first school, but I'm not one of them. So yeah, don't be super disappointed if you don't get into your first choice. There might be much better waiting for you down the line! I haven't started at university yet (because the pandemic) but I've met some of their students and heard so many great stories, I can't wait to go this fall! I don't even think about my earlier dream school anymore.

[@ronl7131]

Some good advice here....I would add to “no linear path” idea.....sometimes the most fulfilling goals have a never-ending path, that is , one is always searching or striving .....there is always more to learn, always different perspectives....but the journey is not one of compulsion or hysterics or anxiety....but of a personal nature unique to the character and personality of the individual ‘seeker’....not driven by an outside source. Yes, there are practical components to this idea....one must take into account how to pay one’s bills and also how to stay spiritually & mentally & physically fit.....hard work and self-discipline is not punishment, but these are preparation for Life....and the anticipated Journey....once ‘in the groove’, so to speak, not such a bad Journey, challenging as it might be....

[@CelinnaMawar]

Things I learnt in college - professor telling me to do Hanon exercises her way (which I followed cos I trusted my teacher), didn't correct my technique, got injured and had to give up my masters because I couldn't play without pain. Had to spend the next few years retraining. I envy those who can say they learn a lot from their teacher and it changed their life. Because I certainly feel like my music degree makes me feel like a failure.

[@PassionPno]

The problem with many piano professors is that they were trained in performance not pedagogy. It’s important to have a teacher who has pedagogical background.

[@afill471]

Looking back at where I was, going through public school starting my singing from middle school, to where I am now, currently in MSM studying voice, I kind of found out the schools that I was interested in that will get me to the right direction, and I’ve noticed that no matter where you end up going, you will still get the education you need to get in the direction you want, so fear of rejection was almost non-existent for me because i knew one of the schools would accept me. When I auditioned for college, I had a very small amount of choices from Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, Hartford and Queens College. Out of all of them, I’ve gotten accepted to Hartford and MSM but my two fears was distance for Hartford, and financials for MSM as the scholarship for the school covered only part of it while Hartford gave me an almost full-ride scholarship to study there. The main reason why I chose MSM was because it was close, I already knew my studio professor there and resonated with what I needed for my development, lastly, the environment was more in my comfort and I already have friends that went and still study there, which meant my transition from public school to college/conservatory was much more linear than how I would have at Hartford. I had other choices in mind but I felt like when you narrow down the choices of what school you want to go and categorize them by chance of acceptance based on your circumstances with each of the schools, you’ll have no worries of being able to enter college once you know what your safe school is. For some reason, my gut told me that I would get into MSM and I went with the flow, even before I applied even though my first choice was Juilliard, which I haven’t even passed Juilliard’s application process. After Juilliard gave me the no-go, I basically sticked to MSM which I’ve got accepted with a scholarship, with the benefit with financial aid, which them together covered a whole semester of the year. It’s not rare to choose one path and stick with it, knowing you have 3 other paths to choose from that you know will get you to where you need to be because you basically learn how to tailor your choices and see what circumstances led you to go there, though it’s a long journey to get to that point. In conclusion, I can tell you that as long as you’re secure about what you want to do, pursue it, even if it means there’s a rough ride in store, the fun part about auditions is finding out what you’re capable of in these situations and what you learn from these experiences. You could think of auditions as competitions, however, this isn’t whether or not you’re the best candidate for being accepted into the school, nor that it means you’re being challenged by a tough crowd in the audience. I know very well that a lot of the faculty that you will see in your auditions are going to be very humble and positive, you’re guaranteed that you wont have a bad experience in the auditions, so, if you had a great time and you learned a lot from these auditions, it’s all that matters, and getting into a school is the treat you get for your hard work.

[@jflau31]

Love this series!

[@idiotsandwich115]

Your videos are so damn awesome! They make my day better and motivate me to practice the piano! Keep up the great work! :)

[@AnnaKhomichkoPianist]

Me too :) good luck with your piano journey ;)

[@yeshwintrinay4445]

thank you tiffany for posting the vid because i am in 7th grade and like to learn songs from ur vids

[@studiosnch]

Tiff, everything you mentioned here are the same things that I always tell my students since I started teaching in where I was a student before. So I won't add oil into it (you understand what I mean here hahaha). As with my university years, I chose Communication Arts as a kind of revenge for not getting my preferred university and program... It was supposed to be either multimedia communication or journalism (and I also added computer science just for the kicks) but ended up in neither. But I still had the slot and was actually accepted for the computer science program instead. But since the campus was on a different city and code isn't really where I'm creative at, I used the slot to enrol in CommArts instead. Though, this was chosen because of chance. I just read the course prospectus that it had during my time and decided then and there to just wing it. The first class that I took in my first year in CommArts was (other than PE) socio-political philosophy. That was my favorite in that semester, and ended up with pretty high marks for that. Yeeey for the lectures and also for our instructor, who ended up becoming a colleague later on. Anyway, lots of great and unpleasant things happened, but if not for these four years in this randomly-chosen program, I could not see myself become the person who I'd like to be. Nr. 3 is really the thing that college or university gives one. tl;dr It's not the program, but the passion. And the journey is the destination.

[@kghasno2]

Great video and perspective on life choices.

[@AnnaKhomichkoPianist]

Totally agree!

[@manycalled6748]

Thx I really enjoy your vlogs 👍

[@carolina6857]

Thank you it's about time..🥺🤍

[@hanskung3278]

Philosophy and a music Major at once, your freakin amazing!

[@christophermair3349]

After watching the video? I am an admirer of a Think Tank that knows how but still looks for (Are we okay?) kinda self defeatism. You should set the tempo. You Rock! Just do what you love to do. Myself and the two 4 legged army deals with the rest. They do not negotiate. Period. Once in the realm of their range? All gravy.

[@tomoconnor9502]

hi tiffany, I was the same in college, I went liberal arts instead of conservatory, though it was the University of Illinois; I graduated with a liberal arts, not fine and applied arts, so I know what you mean about liberal arts, in y our case philosophy, I still kept a music major though. to me, it was a mixture of a wider liberal education, as well as music. you, on the other hand, went with philosophy, Goethe and the rest. good for you. By the way, you're a beautiful musician too, a concert pianist beautiful tiffany. always wondered what a touring concert pianist is like, wow I met one! tom o'connor, janesville, wisconsin.

[@SERGIOxMUSIC]

Ohhh! Your eyes! so sweet!

[@JM-ig4ed]

As for college.... I grew up in a pretty poor family in the midwest - and never had college on my radar. I was slotted for the schools to think along the lines of office work, secretary etc. No one ever discussed college with me - ever. So, I grew up to be a secretary and thankfully, I now own my own business and have progressed in many ways, but wish someone would have taken me under their wing to guide me more educationally. Because I did poorly in Algebra, I wasn't into higher math classes, which is too bad because as an adult, I love math. I know an acquaintance that has been at Juillard pre-college since 10 and now starting master's program there - so have enjoyed watching his progress and musical journey as well. Have often wondered if you know him - you are similar in age.