Student Blog: What I Wish I Knew...

Hello again, readers! I hope you all are well! Happy summer vacation, to those of you who have completed your spring semester of school! As I have just completed my first full year of being a college student, I wanted to take an opportunity to reflect on the things I wish I knew before college. For most, college is the first time “adulting,” if you will, and that comes with a learning curve. The struggles I discovered this year and worked towards solving aid in my understanding of what it is to live, as I continue to discover more.

The first thing I wish I had known when I moved in was creating a routine. I will say, I did “know” this, but it took me a minute to realize its worth and integrate it. I feel more safe and calm when I am organized and precise with my plans. Consistency is also key. Setting regular alarms, maintaining a consistent schedule of classes, meal times, and rehearsals, and leaving some room for outings with friends, the occasional sleep-in, or other ways to spend free time. This work-life balance is what carried me through the year, with, of course, the help and trust of my friends, professors, and family back home.

On a more practical note, cleaning is a must. I am most definitely not the most organized person ever, but I found this year that keeping my spaces clean would warrant me more peace of mind. When I would be just hanging out in my dorm room, I felt much more relaxed if my space was clean or, at least, organized. This discovery manifested itself in maintaining a laundry schedule, keeping my desk clear of what did not need to be there, vacuuming every now and then, etc. Even though I was and continue to be reluctant to clean my room at times, the satisfaction of seeing a neat, organized space is well worth it.

More specifically regarding my experience as a theatre performance major, I wish I knew at the beginning of the year how much I would come to love this community in UET. I have struggled with making friends in the past, as well as balancing relationships with faculty inside and outside of class and rehearsals. My first introduction to UET, outside of my college tour, was my general audition for the Fall 2022 shows, which was daunting. If I trusted my gut then, I would have found security and trust in my newfound family much sooner than I did. I chose the University of Evansville for a reason, that being the connection I felt just when I was present there.

Even though summer has only just begun, I have found myself excited and looking forward to returning to campus. This year certainly brought its onslaught of challenges, but for every challenge there were multiple blessings. The relationships I have cultivated and the home I created mean the world to me. One year later, I am still so very happy and proud of my choice to not only follow my passion for theatre but the place in which I chose to do so. Thank you, UET, for a great year, and I look forward to the next three! I am so very proud to be a Purple Ace.