Hey guys! I hope you have all had a good first week with us here at UWTSD, I've seen a couple of you around and you seem to be having so much fun. This Freshers has been amazing and I hope you have all been enjoying it as much as I have. So in this blog post I want to give all my first year Acting buddies a few hints and tips in terms of getting through first year that I wish someone had told me. I've consulted with other people in third year and they all agree that these things are super helpful and important for you to know, so let's get stuck in!
If you're on time, you're late
The lecturers will reiterate this so much throughout your time here at UWTSD so it's just something I thought I should mention too. It is imperative that you turn up early for lectures. If you're on time, you're late. The reason why they do this is to help you get into the habit for when you go out into the real world of acting. Get to your lectures at least five minutes early, I tend to be at least fifteen but that's just me. Just make sure that if you have a lecture at 9, you turn up at 8:55 or earlier. Also, never, ever be late. They most likely will not let you in the lecture if you are late. If you cannot come to a lecture due to sickness or other circumstances email the lecturer apologising and explaining why you cannot come. You must then catch up with all work that occurred in the lecture as well as the study tasks set.
Read the plays given
In one of your modules, Theatre Styles, you will be given plays to read every couple of weeks. It is so important to actually read the given play rather than just a synopsis. Dave will know if you haven't and it really does show through during the lecture. A lot of us in first year got into reading groups and read it aloud which was really helpful.
If unsure, ask!
I know this seems like a pretty obvious one, but things are done a little differently here than in college or Sixth Form, so it's so important to ask if you're unsure about something. The lecturers would prefer to clarify something with you rather than you getting confused and then being unable to complete the task.
Be Open and Willing to Learn
There are going to be a few things on this course that you're not going to be 100% comfortable with. For me, that was singing and doing movement, but in order to improve and widen your skill set as an actor you have to be open and totally willing to learn and try new things. Not everyone is an amazing singer, and that's something I learnt in first year, however, you can improve so much over the course of a year. In first year I cried every single time I had to sing, I just got overly emotional about it, but now in third year I'm totally comfortable with it.
Support Fellow Performers
This is such an important one. In the end of first year you will be doing a show that will run for two days, you will want people to come along and support you in this show. However, don't expect second and third years to turn up if you can't be bothered to support them and come along to their shows and presentations. It is vital to see as much live theatre as you possibly can, and therefore you need to go and see the third year shows. I have seen every single third year show when I was in my first and second year because I felt like it was my duty to go and support them. It is your duty to do the same. The lecturers will take note of who cannot be bothered to turn up and support the older years and it's reflected badly on you if you do not. This is also important in class to be supportive of fellow actors, you will not be a better performer if you bring others down and constantly criticise and belittle. Always clap after someone performs, always be supportive of other actors, even if there is personal problems between you. You are one big family, make sure you always look out and support each other.
Manage Your Time
In first year it can be super hard because you are juggling six modules at the exact same time. With this being said it is so important to manage your time effectively and appropriately. I see it time and time again when people don't manage their time effectively and then have to do an all nighter or two to get all of the work finished. Do not be this student. While it is important to socialise and get the most out of that side of university, it is also so important to keep on top of your work load. Complete the study tasks set as soon as you're given them, and always write up your notes from the lecture in your process workbook and reflect on your learning. Process workbooks can be so hard to write, believe me, I've had two years of writing them, but the quicker you get use to sharing your thoughts and evaluating yourself and your learning the easier it will become for you. You do not want to be stressing because you're three weeks behind on your process workbook and can't remember what you did. The sooner you get it done, the sooner you can go out and socialise.
If It Gets Too Much, Talk To The Lecturers
Dave, Lynne and all of the other lecturers may seem super scary, but they're really not. They are pretty much the loveliest people you will ever meet and will always be there to help you and listen to any problems you have. That's the same with all over lecturers you have. They all want you to do well and succeed. If you get too stressed or too worried about the course please, please go and talk to them. They have most likely heard it all before and know how to help you with your problems. That's the same with me, if you want any help or need some advice, I am always here. It's so important to talk and be open when you're finding things a little tricky. It means that they can put things in place to help you. The amount of times I've sat in Dave's office and spoken to him about my problems and worries doesn't bear to think about, but he is ALWAYS there for me no matter what. He will always fit in a little chat or meeting to make sure that I'm okay. When I was having a really tough time in second year he emailed me every week asking how I was doing and if I wanted to come in for a chat. Both Lynne and Dave want you to do well and will go above and beyond the call of duty to make feel better and help you with any problems you have.
Talk to the Second and Third Year
Again, we may seem big and scary or whatever but we have been through what you've been through and are more than willing to chat to you about how you're doing or help you if you need it. We know the best books on certain subjects and we know where to look for good audition pieces or good songs to do. It's so important to build a relationship with second and third year because then they can give you an idea of what's expected of you and give you little pointers. We are so supportive and do want to get to know you, you don't want to wait until the last term and realise we could have been amazing friends sooner.
Lastly, GOOD LUCK and break a leg with first year. It goes by so quickly and although a lot of work, it is so much fun. You'll make friends for life in the first year and wish you could relive it again and again. I cannot believe I'm in my third year now, just make sure that every single day of your degree counts.
Be Open and Willing to Learn
There are going to be a few things on this course that you're not going to be 100% comfortable with. For me, that was singing and doing movement, but in order to improve and widen your skill set as an actor you have to be open and totally willing to learn and try new things. Not everyone is an amazing singer, and that's something I learnt in first year, however, you can improve so much over the course of a year. In first year I cried every single time I had to sing, I just got overly emotional about it, but now in third year I'm totally comfortable with it.
Support Fellow Performers
This is such an important one. In the end of first year you will be doing a show that will run for two days, you will want people to come along and support you in this show. However, don't expect second and third years to turn up if you can't be bothered to support them and come along to their shows and presentations. It is vital to see as much live theatre as you possibly can, and therefore you need to go and see the third year shows. I have seen every single third year show when I was in my first and second year because I felt like it was my duty to go and support them. It is your duty to do the same. The lecturers will take note of who cannot be bothered to turn up and support the older years and it's reflected badly on you if you do not. This is also important in class to be supportive of fellow actors, you will not be a better performer if you bring others down and constantly criticise and belittle. Always clap after someone performs, always be supportive of other actors, even if there is personal problems between you. You are one big family, make sure you always look out and support each other.
Manage Your Time
In first year it can be super hard because you are juggling six modules at the exact same time. With this being said it is so important to manage your time effectively and appropriately. I see it time and time again when people don't manage their time effectively and then have to do an all nighter or two to get all of the work finished. Do not be this student. While it is important to socialise and get the most out of that side of university, it is also so important to keep on top of your work load. Complete the study tasks set as soon as you're given them, and always write up your notes from the lecture in your process workbook and reflect on your learning. Process workbooks can be so hard to write, believe me, I've had two years of writing them, but the quicker you get use to sharing your thoughts and evaluating yourself and your learning the easier it will become for you. You do not want to be stressing because you're three weeks behind on your process workbook and can't remember what you did. The sooner you get it done, the sooner you can go out and socialise.
If It Gets Too Much, Talk To The Lecturers
Dave, Lynne and all of the other lecturers may seem super scary, but they're really not. They are pretty much the loveliest people you will ever meet and will always be there to help you and listen to any problems you have. That's the same with all over lecturers you have. They all want you to do well and succeed. If you get too stressed or too worried about the course please, please go and talk to them. They have most likely heard it all before and know how to help you with your problems. That's the same with me, if you want any help or need some advice, I am always here. It's so important to talk and be open when you're finding things a little tricky. It means that they can put things in place to help you. The amount of times I've sat in Dave's office and spoken to him about my problems and worries doesn't bear to think about, but he is ALWAYS there for me no matter what. He will always fit in a little chat or meeting to make sure that I'm okay. When I was having a really tough time in second year he emailed me every week asking how I was doing and if I wanted to come in for a chat. Both Lynne and Dave want you to do well and will go above and beyond the call of duty to make feel better and help you with any problems you have.
Talk to the Second and Third Year
Again, we may seem big and scary or whatever but we have been through what you've been through and are more than willing to chat to you about how you're doing or help you if you need it. We know the best books on certain subjects and we know where to look for good audition pieces or good songs to do. It's so important to build a relationship with second and third year because then they can give you an idea of what's expected of you and give you little pointers. We are so supportive and do want to get to know you, you don't want to wait until the last term and realise we could have been amazing friends sooner.
Lastly, GOOD LUCK and break a leg with first year. It goes by so quickly and although a lot of work, it is so much fun. You'll make friends for life in the first year and wish you could relive it again and again. I cannot believe I'm in my third year now, just make sure that every single day of your degree counts.
