"You have to be tough, you have to have a really thick skin and you have to be tenacious," she told students.
When asked about performing on stage she said musicians needed to have a good rapport with their audience.
"When I'm on stage I'm up there with my friends in the band, but I think the easiest idea is to talk about the song you are going to sing because it's what you know and love."
She said her "go to" song was Tarakihi as it was one of her personal favourites and always made an impact on stage.
She also said, contrary to popular belief, being able to read and write music was still important.
"It's about the building blocks and gives you a deeper understanding."
Now that her career had taken a turn to social activism she said her goals had changed.
"I went into music really green, now because I know how it all works, my goals are just to write good songs and do good shows.
"It's now more about personal success rather than external success."