It's mid October and, in the UK at least, Universities have settled down after the often protracted process of starting a new academic year. For many it will also be the beginning of a new course and, of specific interest to readers of this site, it's going to be a time when students on audio courses are focusing on the year ahead. As somebody who while running such courses has seen many students come and go, with varying degrees of success, here are some suggestions for anyone on such an audio course to make sure that they get the most out of it. While aimed at students, there's going to be advice in here that anyone working in audio can probably think about, myself included!

What Kind Of Course Are You On?

Precisely which kind of course you are taking affects everything. There is a clear distinction to be made here between training courses and degree courses that are more rooted in traditional education. They are very different and while there is some overlap, lots of people fail to draw this distinction and sometimes level criticisms at degree courses which effectively just point out the fact that they are degree courses and not vocational training. Whether or not professional audio practices are a suitable subject for academic study is a different question and, while very worth asking, is to some extent missing the point. For a degree to exist in a university, with all of the things which stem from that, it has to conform to certain standards and expectations which are about wider academic practice, that’s just how it is.

Degrees are accessible in that, while expensive, in the UK at least for most they don’t have to be paid for upfront, though of course funding practices vary around the world. Training courses on the other hand usually have to be paid for in full and this affects their accessibility. There is also of course the question of ‘parity of esteem’. Whether right or wrong it is a fact that the status of a degree is understood by most people and while the learning gained on a training course might well be more directly relevant to a specific job, it is industry-specific and doesn't confer any kind of graduate status. Although the value of such status is open to debate.

No You Want A Degree, Or Training?

Leaving such questions to one side, should you be on a degree course or should you save a considerable amount of money a degree course is going to cost you and instead get some more focused training and experience? It's very important question and one that only you can answer. 

Hopefully you've chosen the correct course. In mid-October the ideal time to make such decisions has already passed but it's rarely too late to change lanes. A principal differentiation to make, and one that I've advised many students to consider very carefully, is the distinction between arts and science courses. If you are looking to gain concrete skills, a science course is, in my experience, a better choice. Often viewed as ‘harder’ and less fun than a more creative arts-based course, I’d take that as an advantage rather than a criticism. It’s difficult to find a job in a studio and those few openings don’t take achievement on a degree as being the principal thing they are looking for. More technical roles in the industry, particularly those in creating the tools used in the studios which drew you to audio, are a more viable route to a rewarding career if you are the kind of person who might suit such a role.

Whichever course you are on, whether academic or vocational, scientific or arts, there are some pieces of advice which hold true across the board:

Making The Most Of The Course Itself

Engagement - Attending your comittments regularly and punctually might sound obvious, but it's the cornerstone of a successful education (and career). Course notes might be available online if you skip that lecture but that’s a backup, not an alternative. Show up, be present, and take part in discussions actively. Your instructors are the most valuable resource you have access to, and you should use their expertise. Secondly, the rest of the cohort are incredibly valuable. If you’re not going to exploit access to staff and students you might as well stay away.

Ask Questions - If something isn't clear, ask questions. It’s a cliche but it really is true that there’s no such thing as a stupid question. Chances are, if you have a question, someone else in the class is wondering the same thing. The real-time interaction between lecturer, student and the rest of the cohort is where the real value lies in face-to face-education. You might argue that the same can be achieved online but it just works better face-to-face.

Get Hands-On - Colleges and Universities typically make much of their flagship studio. It’s a common joke that you have the ‘Prospectus Console’ in Studio A. That’s great but superficially knowing your way around an SSL Duality is probably of lesser value than a really thorough knowledge of the contents of the other studios (that you’ll actually be able to book). It amazes me how much of the time university studios are occupied by the same handful of students, while others are never there. It also amazes me how many students treat an expensive console as a laptop stand… Be one of that handful of students who are in the studios day in and day out.

Collaborate - Your peers are more valuable to you than the gear. That being said it’s probably only 20% of them are really going to benefit you if you work with them. It’s harsh but true. The thing is you don’t know which 20% and it’s probably not the ones who are eager to impress on everyone how much they know. It’s attitude which makes the difference. Make sure you’re one of the people who people like to work with. Learn with and from your peers.

Using Available Resources - I’m going to suggest that this isn’t as important as people think, but its still important. Choosing a course based on whether than have a big name console in their studio doesn’t make as much difference as the specifics of the curriculum and the quality of the staff. I’d rather see access to an Avid S6 than a large format console as it offers access to specific Pro Tools workflows and if you look at the realties of short studio bookings, you’re going to end up mixing in the box more than you might think. The pressures of session recall affect students just as much as professionals.

Networking With Industry Professionals - This is a hot topic in Universities and in my experience the hardest to deliver on. It’s just a fact that there is more demand for student placements than there is supply, particularly in studios for whom there isn’t much incentive to provide placements. Equipment manufacturers are much more forthcoming and if you are on a suitable course there are genuine opportunities out there. Find out about opportunities as completing your course is only the beginning.

Self-Directed Learning - The course is only one of the things you should be doing. I’d even go as far as to say that, regardless of the quality of the course you’re doing and the level of achievement on it, if I was talking to a graduate who had excelled on their course and done nothing else. I’d see that as a huge red flag. I’d be more inclined to invest in a student who had dropped out of their course because they were so busy with interesting side projects. But don’t drop out because I said that - OK?

Diversify - Get some experience in areas other than studio work. Live sound, game audio, marketing and promotion, video production, cast your net wide as most of the successful people I know in the industry have far more than one string to their bows, even if they are best known for only one of them. Specialising is important but you might find you specialise in something other than what you first went into

Business Time - Get some business skills. You’re likely to work for yourself at some point. There is far more to working for yourself that just doing the work. If your course doesn’t cover this adequately then it isn’t preparing you for the industry as it exists. All the skills in the world aren’t any use if you have no work or worse, are working but not making any money!

Conclusion

Maximising the value of a course isn't just about attending classes and earning good grades. It's about taking a proactive approach to your education, engaging with resources and industry professionals, and understanding the versatility of the skills you're acquiring. Stay motivated, stay persistent, and remain adaptable in your pursuit of audio excellence. Most of all show up and keep showing up!