Bee

Wow okay I meant to write this post a while ago but here are some takeaways I’ve learned through finishing this past semester. 

1. It’s okay to grieve.

There are a lot of articles and videos on how to be your most productive self during quarantine now that you have so much free time but it’s okay to have a day where you just want to grieve and think about how much this has and will take away from you. For me, I was supposed to study in Italy for a month this summer but that’s obviously been cancelled, and there are things in the future that are uncertain. It’s okay to not pretend like everything is fine and this doesn’t affect you at all.

2. You’ll have to adapt.

And as artists this is something that we’re used to. Whether it’s because of ourselves or outside factors we are creative people who are flexible and can get through the toughest of situations. Many of my end of term assignments were converted to written assignments or had to be completed digitally. As we enter an uncertain future be kind to your professors and teachers as they try to convert their curriculum to one that can be completed virtually. 

3. Get outside your room.

There was a period during early April where I did not breathe in fresh air for 2 weeks straight, and that almost drove me insane. You are used to going outside at least a little bit even if you’re the most introverted person ever. As the weather starts to get warmer take the chance to take walks if you’re able to, or just open the window to enjoy the outdoors as much as you can. Of course, keep in mind to stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible.

4. Create a schedule.

While it’s easy to get into the habit of staying up until 5am and waking up at 3pm, try to create a regular schedule that resembles a bit of your life before the pandemic. I usually wake up around 9am and go to sleep at 1am. This will help keep some sense of normalcy and will make the transition to “regular” life after this easier.

5. Self-discipline is key. 

If you’re taking a summer course or if we have to continue online learning when school starts up again, you’ll have to create a timeline that you can follow. Similar to regular classes where you should schedule times to work on homework or assignments anyways, this is crucial when you are learning online. It’s easy to get distracted and lose track of time or even what day it is. When we first started learning at home I lost a lot of motivation and procrastinate many assignments until the last minute which left me stressed and overwhelmed. For my upcoming summer course, I created a realistic schedule to hopefully keep me on track. I’ll keep you updated.

Okay I know I’m a technical theatre and study blog but I feel like both demographics could use this post, also I just feel like writing about it.

The past week or so I found myself distancing from my friends because I, for some reason thought they were excluding me, when in actuality I was making a big deal out of nothing and pushing them away. They had a mini intervention for me today about some things they’ve noticed going on with me the past couple of weeks/months and wanted to bring up. 

I won’t go into too much detail but it made me realize that maybe I’m not in the best place mentally, and I could probably use some professional help in order to better myself and be happier with myself. 

So I did some research, and I found out that therapy is fucking expensive. Where I live in Ontario, Canada, sessions start around $120 and go up to $250 PER. SESSION. This is ridiculous, and the only mental health help that is covered by OHIP (our provincial health insurance) is a psychiatrist who must be recommended to by a family doctor.

Hello 2020! This was originally gonna be an “what I learned from the semester” but I’ve had a draft open for so long it’s now gonna be a “tips for the new semester” post oops.

Study as much as you care.

Okay as a studyblr this might come off wrong but I mean that in most post-secondary institutions if you’re not going to pursue academia after, grades don’t really matter. Personally, I like doing well so I study a bit more than my peers but sometimes you have to consider where you value spending your time. If that means hitting the books then go ahead! But this semester I think I realized that it’s not terrible to veer off my study schedule for a day and in the grand scheme of things it’ll turn out alright.

Advocate, advocate, advOCATE!

I mean this in every way possible. You’re the only person who can stand up for yourself, as much as your friends want to help you it’s ultimately up to you. In my program we’re assigned to a role on a show and that means you’re working with your peers, and like every group project sometimes people don’t pull their weight or you’re not getting exactly what you want out of it. Just remember that you’re the one who’s spending a lot of money on your education and if you’re not happy with what you’re doing talk to your professors, faculty, an upper year, anyone who can help you actually change a crappy situation.

See theatre!

Alright so it doesn’t have to always be theatre but when you’re in a program about making art happen it’s always beneficial to check out what art is around you! My school is in a city and we often get discounts to small shows that are happening nearby so it’s often worth checking them out. I recently went to an immersive Christmas Carol which I heard about through a program wide email, and it was one of the best renditions of the play I’ve ever seen.

Getting involved isn’t actually that bad.

Depending on your school and how it functions, it can be super difficult balancing school, your show, a part-time job, your social life, and/or commuting. I get it! BuuuuuuuuUUUuut this year I joined my program’s student union group and it’s been pretty great so far. We get to organize closing parties and a bunch of events/merch for the school and I love getting to do stuff like that. It doesn’t have to be student government but check out intramurals, clubs, or volunteering at your school. Enjoy your time.