Music as an escape

Her fingers lightly strum across the vinyl strings as all worries sit quietly in the back of her head.

Jen Phillips, a senior broadcasting journalism major, came to OU as a vocal performance major, but decided to make a change in direction. Music continues to be an important part of her life and she seeks it as an escape.

After a semester of being a vocal performance major, Phillips realized that there were many things that she enjoyed, but also many things that she felt she shouldn’t be pursuing. With that in mind, she made the switch to political science, and was on the pre-law track for four semesters.

“I was pretty far down that road until I started realizing that I was passionate about the things I was learning about, but I didn’t want it to end there,” Phillips said. “So, I used my love of political science and my previous knowledge of performing and thought about what I liked to do.”

Phillips decided that she would make another change in direction, one that would include all of her interests.

“I love writing so I thought broadcast journalism would be perfect because I get to write about things that are really incredible and meaningful but I still get to take the creative side with me,” Phillips said.

Although she isn’t a vocal performance major anymore, music is still an important part of her life. Music serves as a stress reliever, and releases the pressure from everyday life, Phillips said.

“Music is definitely my Zen. I could go on a run or I could sit on my bed and play guitar for 15 minutes and it brings me down,” Phillips said. “It’s definitely my happy place.”

Music is a big part of her life, so she was sad to see the opportunity of studying music to go away, Phillips said.

“I feel like I’m better from being apart of the music program here for a semester, but I think I’m enjoying it a lot more after I switched my major,” Phillips said.

Her musical journey has served an importance in her life, and she’s learned from the experience. Ultimately, music has given her a creative license, according to Phillips.

“I really grew when I let down the wall of someone telling me how to do things,” Phillips said. “And when I got to be in charge of myself creatively, it enhanced my process.”