I’m majoring in vocal at art school, but I’ve lost all my passion for singing. Should I switch schools?

Our elder helps a letter writer who has lost their motivation.

Dear EWC

I go to an art school and I major in vocal. Honestly, though, I’ve lost all passion for singing and I just hate it. I feel demotivated and it’s making my grades suffer, which isn’t idealistic when I’m in grade 11 and am thinking about university. I’ve thought about switching to visual arts (painting, drawing), which I originally wanted to major in, but my guidance counselor said it’d be pretty unlikely for me to get in just because of the number of students in class along with my skill level. I decided not to switch, but I just can’t stand singing either. I’ve thought about transferring but I’d be losing all my friends, my teachers, everything else that I actually like about my school. I don’t know what to do. By transferring, I’d be able to work on what I’m really passionate about without feeling so demotivated, but I’d have to adjust to a new environment without my friends. Singing just isn’t something I want to do anymore, and I’ve dedicated years of my life to it, a thing I hate doing that gets in the way of my other subjects.

Dirk replies

Thanks for your letter. Many people in your situation do not act. They put themselves through an endless debate over what they should or should not do and end up taking no action. You already have done the hardest part. You know that you no longer want to study voice and you now know visual arts are going to be your focus.

I think the ideal solution for you would be to stay at your current school, stay with your friends, and change your arts focus to visual arts. I realize that your guidance counselor once told you that your visual arts skills were somewhat lacking. Most of us have experienced similar rejection. We learned (often the hard way!) to use those criticisms to motivate us to work harder and learn from our critics. If I were you, I would seek out your guidance counselor and others whose opinions you respect to react to a sampling of your recent work. You should try to get the guidance counselor and others to tell you what they like best and least about your work. Be very open to their comments, but do not be persuaded to make major changes based a few persons’ comments that you are not good enough. However, be open to how their comments could suggest new ideas and directions for your work. Thank them for their comments. Try some of their ideas. Do you like the new work? Do they like the new work?

Finally, speak again to the guidance counselor. Explain that although the study of voice was useful it also helped you understand just how much more important studying visual arts at his school is to you. He may or may not be completely supportive, but now you are more convinced than ever of what you want to study. Follow your passion and re-discover your motivation! I wish you well.

Letter #: 451044
Category: School