I am fortunate that the school I attend has quite the strong dance program. When I auditioned during my senior year of high school and did not get accepted I went back and forth on whether or not to pursue minoring in dance. After much debate in my head, I decided during the spring semester of my freshman year to officially make it my minor. I figured that it would be better to get the training and not use it than do want to make a career in dance and have none of it. I have noticed somethings in the 3 classes that I have took so far. These are the ups and downs of having a minor.
Up:
I get to have at least one class a week doing something that I love. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy psychology, but there is nothing better than having a class that I can express myself physically and plus it is really fun! For example, this semester I get to end my day of essay writing and psychology lectures by taking a class where I am learning to choreograph.
Up:
I don't have a wild schedule like most dance majors have. A lot of dance majors have crazy hours and barely get a break during the day due to having back to back classes.
Down:
For a person who tends to feel very awkward when they are with people they don't know, that is how I feel in these classes. In all of the classes I have took so far, I was the only one who was not a dance major. Everyone in these classes know each other and have their groups of friends...and than there is me.
Down:
I sometimes feel as if I don't belong in these classes because as I mentioned earlier, all of these students earned their place in the dance program, whereas I was turned down from the program. This can cause me to doubt myself because I see how good these people are and I don't think I am nearly that good. I also occasionally feel like I am behind a little bit because all of the people in my classes are working all day on their technique in classes such as ballet and modern, while I am sitting in my lecture courses. So sometimes I feel I am lacking in the technique department.
With all the ups and downs, in the end the ups overpower the downs because I am doing something that I love, even if its only for 90 minutes two times per week. I am currently still trying to decide if this training is something I really want to use in my future, such as with dance therapy or by teaching dance on the side of whatever job I choose to have in the field of psychology, but I still have 2 years to think about that.