For many dance students, this autumn will mark the beginning of their dance courses, be them degree level, vocational or just for fun! For those beginning their dance degrees, a lot of hard work awaits, interjected with innovative learning and fun too! It is important to make the most of your time studying; before you know it you will be out in the professional world – for some students, the biggest shock is having to pay for dance classes that came as part of their studies!
The start of your degree is essentially the beginning of your career in dance and the arts. There will be many challenges and lots of hard work along the way, and it is vital to stay motivated when the pressure rises. It may be a shock to the body when the course starts, due to the substantial increase in the number of hours of training. Dancing five days a week for several hours can hit the body hard, and without looking after it this can spell difficulty and even injury.
For some dancers this can take the excitement and enjoyment out of dance, with the increased load affecting them in a negative way. However for most the added hours are welcome, reinforcing the passion for dance and learning more. Try not to lose the sense of anticipation for dance classes and work to gain something different from each dance class or lesson you attend. Be sure to maximise the benefits of both the technique and academic classes, by embracing this component alongside your study of dance technique itself.
Many students must also fit in part-time work around their studies, which can sometimes be a challenge through spending so much time in the studio or library. The contact time of a dance degree is high, meaning students have access to resources and tutors – by attending university – all day, all week. Make the most of having this wealth of opportunity at your finger tips, it won’t last for long!