Finding different “tools” to survive college can seem difficult, but when you find them, it will hopefully help you through your college career and beyond!

Usually, when I think about fall, I think of crunchy leaves that make a mess of our deck and bitterly cold temperatures whenever the sun's not out. This year, though, that changed, if only a little bit.

With trying to balance school, extra curricular, family, and a rehearsal schedule, things can get pretty hectic. Personally, I get stressed super easily if I don't manage my time correctly or slip up.

I hope this is helpful! I know that I’m pretty stubborn sometimes and don’t always listen to my parents, so having a peer tell me to go do things and get out of my room is helpful. It’s a crazy world out there, but don’t let life pass you by! Go get the most out of your college experience!

My first show for the 2022-2023 school year at UC San Diego was serving as the choreographer and assistant director for Dance Nation by Clare Barron. This show is also something I personally resonate with since I grew up as a dancer in that competitive and disciplined environment. So, working on this show was an extremely cathartic and nostalgic experience for me.

My first day in the Costume Shop was a frustrating one. A required course for all Theatre Arts minors, Theatrical Production is a class in which students are tasked with working in a specific division of the Mainstage production process behind the scenes.

When I feel that things are getting too busy or out of control, I find it necessary to do what everyone thinks you shouldn't: I take a break.

This semester I began classes as a theatre major at the University of Georgia. For my gen ed requirements, I am enrolled in Anthropology, a weekly seminar at the law school, and a weekly seminar that is an introduction to the honors college, but I have been very fortunate to be able to jump into many classes for my major as well.

As theatre students, we all know what the organized chaos of tech week is like, organizing backstage, getting the perfect timing on set changes, full dress rehearsals, and more. The main stage production at Lindenwood University this fall was On The Razzle by Tom Stoppard, which I was a part of the deck crew for.

I work in the costume shop for the Department of Theatre and Dance at CU Boulder, so I was lucky enough to work on many of the costumes for 'Shakespeare: An Autumn's Tale.' For the majority of the time we were working on the show I was given the project of creating these beautiful leg ruffles for the character Ariel from 'The Tempest.'

I only have one theatre class in my schedule this semester, but I'm also an employee in the costume shop in the theatre building. Though I'm not performing this semester I'm still working on lots of fun theatre related projects. Check it out!

On September 14th, 2021 I attended The Kennedy Center’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert. I got to see performances from incredible talent such as Kelli O’Hara, Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, Joshua Henry, and Renee Fleming. This was my first time visiting the performing arts center and I was completely awestruck. I had never been to such a beautiful and elegant theater. After the concert concluded, I couldn’t help but want to go back as soon as possible. Since then, I have taken advantage of their student tickets which has allowed me to see shows such as Hadestown and Mean Girls for only $20. After spending a good amount of time there during my freshman year of college, I knew I wanted to apply to work at The Kennedy Center as soon as possible.

This semester reinforced a certain notion that I have been thinking about all along: everything is interconnected.

Southern Louisiana really took a hit these past few years, but if anything we've proved that we're strong, resilient, and love theater.  Theater is the perfect escape from the outside world for not just the audience but for the actors as well. It allows us to be someone else for a while and jump into the a world where anything is possible. 

Two years ago, little ol' freshman-in-college me was struggling to figure out what to go as to my choir's Halloween party. I didn't have anything planned.

Dallas and Amy curated a space that our university desperately needed. Together they created “U Progress” which is a student lead theatre club that creates performance opportunities predominantly for students of color in the Ira Brind School.

For the first time, I was actually very anxious to get back to school during break, which is very telling of the positive environment that I’ve experienced at Rollins. Or maybe I’m just a big nerd.

Halloween is my favorite holiday and, let's be honest, I'm quite a perfectionist about it. Every detail of my Broadway-themed costume has to be perfect from head to toe, and I always have to have something to do on the night of the holiday. However, this year is different. Having taken note of my money in the past month or so, I realized quickly that I had to get creative this season. I set myself a budget of fifty dollars, put together a costume plan, and got to work.

After a long restful and restorative summer, being back in the city of Philadelphia feels amazing and nostalgic! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Lina Batista. I am a Jersey Born Philadelphia- based actor, singer, creative, and student. I attend The University of The Arts and I’m experiencing my fourth and final year as a Musical Theatre major! I simply can't believe I am finally able to officially say that!

Having a new perspective of a ceremony like this was something I’ll never forget, working with great people and being part of a team “behind the scenes” made me realize why I love theater so much.

College is the time for you to try new things and “fail big” so take every opportunity presented to you to grow and learn! You never know, you may be pleasantly surprised by something and find a brand new lifelong passion!

It’s my sophomore year! While someone’s second year in college is nothing particularly exciting, it is a year that I have been looking forward to. I spent most of my freshman year feeling clueless, like a little baby on campus. Now that I have navigated through that awkward stage, I finally feel comfortable to explore and take advantage of everything Washington DC has to offer.

This semester, I'm just starting graduate level courses here at Towson University. When signing up for classes, I was nervous about how heavy the workload might be, so I decided to keep it somewhat light.

For many, back to school is an exciting time as college students begin new classes, participate in various clubs and extracurriculars, and spend time on a new or familiar campus. When I stepped onto Cornell’s campus in August, the enthusiasm for the new school year was visceral as thousands of students moved-in and prepared for the Fall semester. Despite my initial worries regarding beginning a new semester, I was soon enveloped by the energy of my peers and professors as I started classes.

The fear of graduating dawns on every student at least once in their college career. Whether it was when you failed your first exam, accidentally slept late and missed a final, or contemplated switching majors. Feeling inadequate is something many students empathize with on a personal level. Between the shadows of self-doubt and fears of the future, it is no wonder college students hate to hear the question “so, what do you want to do after college?”