Summer Course Survival Guide 2.0
Hey everyone. I have no major life info to share. I just started my class for June, and it seems more practical application of what we’re learning over written analysis. If my class in July is the same, then the next two months are going to be fairly easy school-wise. This is good because I have a trip planned for the end of July. I’d be at the end of week 3 during said trip, week 4 the week of my birthday, and I was hoping there would not be a ton of work.
Anyways, today’s blog post is an upgraded version of the Summer Course Survival Guide 1.0 I posted at the beginning of the month. More tips and tricks for you. Enjoy!
1. One class at a time
You may have multiple classes a day, but if you’re constantly worrying or stressing about the other classes you have, you’ll a) get overwhelmed really fast (been there), and b) you won’t get as much out of the class as you deserve. You paid the tuition, so make sure the money doesn’t go to waste. Be in the moment; what can I improve on right now? Focus on your turnout, using your muscles, ensuring everything is in the correct placement, etc. Keep going like that throughout the class.
2. Pay extra special attention to Week One Corrections
This tip applies to anything from starting a new studio to beginning a summer intensive. The corrections you get during the first week are the most important because it’s what stood out to the instructors about you. It’s what you need to work on the most. These teachers don’t know you, or they don’t know the new you if you had them in a past summer intensive, so really focus on what they tell you during the first week of classes.
3. Don’t focus on your level of placement
We’ve all been there. Hung up on who got into which level. Let me tell you something. The level placement doesn’t matter! It just creates more drama, and it’s really not worth it. You’re here to focus on your dancing, not what level you’re in. You can improve no matter what level you’re in. And honestly, you can improve more in a level below you than at your current level or a level above you.
For example, at one point during my junior year, I couldn’t make it to the level four classes anymore, so I started taking level three classes instead. And let me tell you, those classes helped me improve the most. They weren’t all about the impossible double-time-reversed combinations you get sometimes. They were completely technique based. And they were really slow classes. It was literally sixty minutes of adagio. And they were excruciating by the end. But given how technique based they were, my barre-work, balances in the center, turns and jumps improved drastically over the four weeks I took Level Three classes. I was a completely new dancer when I started back at my current level senior year. And that four weeks of technique focus helped me kick butt at the competitions.
So don’t worry about the level you’re placed in. You may have amazing artistry, but if the instructor thinks you need to go back to the basics, they may put you in a lower level. The teachers know what they’re doing. If you’re focusing on who’s better or worse, you’re not gonna get as much out of the intensive as you deserve. Trust me. I know how hard it is. And trust me, you’ll be thankful they did that when you see how much you improved.
“Beginning dancer: knows nothing. Intermediate dancer: knows everything; too good to dance with beginners. Advanced dancer: dances everything, especially with beginners.”
4. Stay in the same place every class
This is one thing I never failed to do. I have my own section of the barre, floor, etc., that I feel comfortable and confident in. No matter where I’m dancing, I’m always in that general area. Staying in the same spot during a summer course helps teachers remember who you are, especially if they have you once a week. Most teachers at summer intensives have too many students to remember everyone’s name, especially if there are dancers with the same name in the same class. Once a teacher knows who you are, they can correct you more and help you improve more.
Don’t be a bitch to the other dancers if you don’t get your spot one day. You’re not superior to the other dancers, and you’re all here to learn. Teachers watch everything, so if you’re mean to a dancer, they will take note, which is not good for you.
5. Dieting and nutrition
You’ve heard it before and will hear it again. Eat properly at summer intensives. It’s called an intensive for a reason. Start as early as you can for pre-intensive prep. Drink well, eat everything in moderation, etc. Make sure you’re taking class daily, stretching daily, etc. And remember to listen to your body; if you feel pain or feel sick, take a break. Don’t push yourself so hard that you break during the intensive.
6. Mental prep
Just know that everyone has bad days and has to deal with mean teachers, fellow dancers, etc. I’ve been there, trust me, it’s not fun. Take each day one class at a time. And be nice to everyone, try and make friends with your fellow dancers, roommates, etc. It’ll be hell for you if you don’t. Again…been there.
And that concludes my summer course survival guide 2.0. Don’t forget to check out the other posts in this series. Summer Course Survival Guide 1.0, Perfectionism 101, Dealing with Criticism and How To Pick Up Choreography Quickly.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you like, comment, and share this post. Follow me on social media (listed below). As always, sending you all the light and love in this world. See you next time!
