6 Tips for a Chapman Dance Major!

Written by: Catherine Liepins, Dance Major, Class of 2020

Welcome to the Dance Department at Chapman! We are so excited for you to become part of our dance family. Here are a few things you should keep in mind to help start your college experience off on the right foot:

1. You’re no longer in a competition environment- It is important to acknowledge the fact that you are about to enter a program where you will be immersed in different styles of dance than you might have been previously exposed to. I highly encourage you to go into every class with an open mind. You have chosen to pursue an education in dance, meaning that you will be pushed outside of your comfort zone and will have the opportunity to experience new ways of learning. The shift from studio life to dancing in college can be a bit intimidating but remind yourself that the more knowledge you acquire, the more equipped you will be as an artist.

2. Make friends- Coming to college is so exciting because you get the chance to meet new people from different backgrounds. Definitely establish relationships with other dance majors since you will be spending a large amount of time with these people over the course of your Chapman years. The majority of our shows are student choreographed so the more connections you make with people in the department, the more involved you can be. This being said, it is important to make genuine connections, word travels fast, and no one likes a social climber.

3. Get involved- Spend time getting to know people in the department but do not forget that there is an entire college out there to immerse yourself in as well. Make friends with other majors, you never know what fun collaborations can come from getting together with a couple of Music majors or Dodge kids. The great thing about going to school at a University is that there are so many ways to meet people in other majors. Push yourself to make friends wherever you can. If you feel passionate about something, join a club or an organization on campus! There are so many opportunities and taking advantage of them is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

4. Plan your schedule accordingly- Take a look at your class schedule during the week. If you have a class on campus following a dance class, make sure you have enough time to get there. Keep in mind that the dance building is a bit of a walk from main campus and you will probably be sweaty and tired coming from class. The dorms are an even further walk away so pack whatever you need for the day when you leave in the morning. It is smart to take as many classes in one place as you can before walking to another location. Running back and forth from the dance building to main campus all day gets exhausting.

5. Find a ride home from late night rehearsal- If you have a rehearsal that is scheduled to get out at 10pm, find a ride home. Walking or biking home that late can be nerve-wracking, even if you are with friends. Upperclassman are always willing to give people rides to the dorms so do not be afraid to ask. Carpooling to late night rehearsals is another solution so ask around and see if you can offer others a ride or get a ride from someone.

6. Do not park in places that you are not supposed to!- Chapman DOES give out parking tickets. Parking at the dance building can be hard so make sure you leave early enough to find a spot. Be mindful about parking in front of the museum next to the dance building or at Ruby’s across the street because they will ticket you for parking there.

Hopefully these tips help you adjust to Freshman year. Overall, go into everything open-minded and eager, and get ready to have the time of your life!