College Life: Navigating the Balance Between Theatre and Academics

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Tips and tricks for managing a busy schedule as a theatre student.

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All college students know the struggle of getting back into a rhythm during the fall semester. The first semester of the year often comes with a new class schedule, new housing, work, and an abundance of campus groups and activities to participate in. With all of this going on, it can be hard for anyone to nail down a routine that feels both productive academically and fulfilling socially. Many students settle into a routine that consists of very busy days and wide open nights for studying, relaxing, and socializing. But for theatre students, I have found that so much of our semester routine hinges on whether or not we are involved in a production - and many students don’t get confirmation that they are until after auditions, often the first week of school.

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I used to get immensely stressed during audition season - not only because auditions are stressful (of course!!) but also because until they were done and cast lists were out, I had no idea what my day-to-day routine would look like. Would I be in class from 8:00am to 4:00pm, then rehearsing from 6:30pm to 10:00pm every night? Would I be in weekly production meetings? When would I find time to relax? To do homework? There were so many wonders and anxieties I had about managing college and theatre, especially as a freshman. But over these past four years I have been lucky enough to perform in or work on a production every semester, and as a senior I can safely say that you can find a routine that works for you, even when it feels difficult!

Here are a few tips and tricks that I’ve used to manage my schedule and ensure that I can be my best self as a student and theatre artist:

Most of all, enjoy it! This time of life flies by, and while it can be difficult to juggle all of the aspects of a college routine as a theatre student, it’s truly such a gift to be able to do what we love onstage and off while completing a degree!

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All I had to do was take that initial leap. My passion for theatre supersedes judgment and I am constantly feeling grateful that my high school theatre community showed me that. I thank every “theatre-friend” throughout the years who has respected me for my fearlessly geeky self.

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This summer, I'm trying to worry way less about what I’m not doing and more about what makes me feel fulfilled right now. And of course, that might be a contract or an internship doing what I love, but it can also be learning to build a life of my own and discover who I am.

I would like to thank everyone who has chosen to read my articles and I hope that you were able to resonate with them and they allowed you to feel understood. It means so much to me that my words can be out there in the world to be referenced by others, and myself, during times of need. Goodbye for now, I hope that this will not be the last you’ll hear from me :)

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_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/michigan/article/Student-Blog-So-Much-to-Do-So-Little-Time-Balancing-Theatre-and-Academics-as-a-College-Student-20261005)._