By Addison Pierce, Staff Writer
September is drawing to an end, and with that end comes a new beginning: The beginning of Tiger Tunes. This annual event is one that many OBU students look forward to, as well as one that many dread. It is a chance to showcase the musical and artistic talent of the Ouachita’s youth, a competition between social clubs for best song, dance, costume and lyrics. It is also often an obstacle in completing one’s assignments on time. Balancing the rigorous, intense rehearsal schedule and one’s own busy academic life can be tricky – so, how can you manage it, all the while maintaining your social life and sleep schedule?
Avery Harper, a junior and one of the Tiger Tunes hosts, offers a solution. “I would say my biggest strategy is using and planning my time wisely. I try to keep track of everything I have going on and get my assignments done early if I know I am going to have a busy week,” Harper said. Being a biology major with a psychology minor, as well as a member of Ouachita Singers, she is no stranger to a heavy load of homework and projects. She went on to explain what she believes is the most important piece of advice one could receive during these stressful three weeks: “Procrastinating during Tunes season can be your worst enemy. Time management is key. Putting off your homework or studying until night is going to give you more stress. Try and find times throughout the day, whether it’s a break in between classes or a break before you go to dinner, to try and cross some things off of your to-do-list.”
Time management is crucial to survive Tiger Tunes without any academic scarring. It might be easier said than done, especially for those who have scraped by in school before with doing homework the night before it is due, but when I find myself barely finishing an assignment five minutes before midnight after a rehearsal, I know it is time to re-think my strategy.
Senior Avie Reams finds herself on the same page as Harper, also advising against procrastination. “I update my planner every day to stay ahead of all my commitments going on…because at the end of the night, when Tunes practice is over, you will be tired and wishing you had done your stuff beforehand,” Reams said. She added that, being a Kinesiology and Communications double-major, RA and softball player she deals with a sometimes-overwhelming workload, so being in Tiger Tunes helped her realize the importance of time-management.
“It definitely helped me better my time management skills. I learned the importance of prioritizing my schoolwork and completing tasks, while also allowing myself time with friends and participating in Tiger Tunes.” Hopefully you have learned as I have how to improve your management of both Tiger Tunes craziness and academic work– as well as the fact that you are not alone in feeling overwhelmed. “Juggling an already busy schedule while Tunes is going on can be a lot,” Reams said.
Although Tiger Tunes can be a source of stress and anxiety, it is also an incredible time. Lifelong friends and memories can be made, if only you realize everything will fall into place at the end of the day, and so much enjoyment can be drawn from these exciting, albeit busy, rehearsals. Harper says it best: “Tunes season can be challenging and exhausting, but enjoy every moment of it, even the difficult ones. Make friends, go all out at every practice, and lean into Tunes with all that you have.”
