3 answers
Dorian
Student
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
1
Question
Asked
327 views
What is the stress load of being a multi-instrumentalist in college as a music and psychology major?
What is the stress load of playing multiple instruments in college. I'm graduating this year playing flute and trumpet and will be continuing both in college.
Login to comment
3 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1461
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Ohayo Dorian,
Okay so first off massive congrats, seriously. Taking both flute and trumpet into college is not just impressive, that’s some next-level musician energy man and I love that for you.
Now let’s talk about the whole stress thing. I am gonna be honest with you bud, so straight answer is yeah, it’s definitely gonna be a bit of a ride. Playing more than one instrument is already a challenge, but throwing in a psych major..... man, that’s the full feast of brain workouts right there. And somewhere in there, you’re expected to be a functioning human who eats and sleeps...yep...okay. But ....Ofcourse, here’s the cool part Dorian if you love what you’re doing—and it sounds like you do—you’ll find ways to keep doing it. Back in school, I was juggling studying, guitar, flute, and even some sports on the side. I don’t even know how I did it sometimes, but I do know this—when you’re passionate, you just *make* time. And yeah, sometimes that time looks like late nights and sore hands and forgetting what day it is. But it also looks like growth, confidence, and those magical moments when you absolutely crush it on stage or in class.
One thing that helped me was realizing it’s okay not to go full-throttle on everything at once. Like, if music is your major-major and psych is something you’re super interested in, maybe explore doing psych as a minor or elective-heavy track. Or flip it, depending on your long-term goals. I know people doing psych and art together, music and business, even medicine and writing—so it’s not impossible. You’ve got options.
And honestly, it doesn’t even have to be this clear split of “major vs. minor” if your school offers some kind of dual-degree or interdisciplinary program. A lot of universities now let you craft your own path a little more freely—so definitely check in with academic advisors and see if you can make a plan that gives you the best of both worlds. You might even end up creating a niche for yourself—like music therapy or performance psychology—where both passions feed into each other perfectly.
The big thing is just pacing yourself. Like, you don’t need to prove anything to anyone by overloading your plate. Take care of you first, always. The instruments will still be there. The theories and classes will still be there. You’re the center of all of it—so you’ve gotta be okay for the rest to work.
You’re clearly talented, motivated, and have your head in the right place. You’ve totally got this. And if there’s ever a day where your lips are numb and your brain is mush, just remember: that’s called being a legend in progress.
Cheering you on—hard.
Eat snacks, hydrate, breathe, and keep making that music 🎶
—From someone who totally gets the hustle and believes in your messy, beautiful, multitasking magic. Feel free to reach out whenever you need buddy.
Okay so first off massive congrats, seriously. Taking both flute and trumpet into college is not just impressive, that’s some next-level musician energy man and I love that for you.
Now let’s talk about the whole stress thing. I am gonna be honest with you bud, so straight answer is yeah, it’s definitely gonna be a bit of a ride. Playing more than one instrument is already a challenge, but throwing in a psych major..... man, that’s the full feast of brain workouts right there. And somewhere in there, you’re expected to be a functioning human who eats and sleeps...yep...okay. But ....Ofcourse, here’s the cool part Dorian if you love what you’re doing—and it sounds like you do—you’ll find ways to keep doing it. Back in school, I was juggling studying, guitar, flute, and even some sports on the side. I don’t even know how I did it sometimes, but I do know this—when you’re passionate, you just *make* time. And yeah, sometimes that time looks like late nights and sore hands and forgetting what day it is. But it also looks like growth, confidence, and those magical moments when you absolutely crush it on stage or in class.
One thing that helped me was realizing it’s okay not to go full-throttle on everything at once. Like, if music is your major-major and psych is something you’re super interested in, maybe explore doing psych as a minor or elective-heavy track. Or flip it, depending on your long-term goals. I know people doing psych and art together, music and business, even medicine and writing—so it’s not impossible. You’ve got options.
And honestly, it doesn’t even have to be this clear split of “major vs. minor” if your school offers some kind of dual-degree or interdisciplinary program. A lot of universities now let you craft your own path a little more freely—so definitely check in with academic advisors and see if you can make a plan that gives you the best of both worlds. You might even end up creating a niche for yourself—like music therapy or performance psychology—where both passions feed into each other perfectly.
The big thing is just pacing yourself. Like, you don’t need to prove anything to anyone by overloading your plate. Take care of you first, always. The instruments will still be there. The theories and classes will still be there. You’re the center of all of it—so you’ve gotta be okay for the rest to work.
You’re clearly talented, motivated, and have your head in the right place. You’ve totally got this. And if there’s ever a day where your lips are numb and your brain is mush, just remember: that’s called being a legend in progress.
Cheering you on—hard.
Eat snacks, hydrate, breathe, and keep making that music 🎶
—From someone who totally gets the hustle and believes in your messy, beautiful, multitasking magic. Feel free to reach out whenever you need buddy.
Cliff Beach
Music and marketing
9
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Cliff’s Answer
While I was in college, I was juggling being a vocalist and pianist while studying business, which had some elements of psychology. It was definitely a grind — but it taught me early on the Side Hustle & Flow mindset: you can pursue multiple tracks at once if you learn how to manage your energy, not just your time. I had to stay organized, set clear priorities, and remember that progress in each area wouldn't always be at the same speed. Some seasons, school had to come first. Other times, music took the lead. The key was realizing that it's not about doing everything perfectly all the time — it’s about building momentum over time across all your passions.
Saint P
SongWriter and Creative writer
75
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Saint’s Answer
Hey Dorian!
Playing multiple instruments in college while double majoring in music and psychology is definitely a lot but totally doable with good time management.
You’ll have rehearsals, lessons, and practice for each instrument, plus academic work, so staying organized is key. It can get overwhelming at times, but it’s also really rewarding and opens up a lot of opportunities to connect with different musical groups.
Just make sure to pace yourself and check in on your mental health you don’t have to do everything all at once. You’ve got this!
Good Luck
Saint
Playing multiple instruments in college while double majoring in music and psychology is definitely a lot but totally doable with good time management.
You’ll have rehearsals, lessons, and practice for each instrument, plus academic work, so staying organized is key. It can get overwhelming at times, but it’s also really rewarding and opens up a lot of opportunities to connect with different musical groups.
Just make sure to pace yourself and check in on your mental health you don’t have to do everything all at once. You’ve got this!
Good Luck
Saint