I am currently a major in Drama and I feel completely and utterly lost. While I love the classes and the things that I learn, I feel completely left out of everything Drama related. I feel like everyone has all of this wonderful experience and have more to offer to discussions and the major itself; I just don’t know where I fit in. I really have a passion for the specific area I want to work in but I just feel like I don’t belong. Should I try to switch majors or what? Thanks!
Yes. At least double major in something that will help you get a non-theatre/acting job in between work.
I wanted to be an acting major and my parents said no way were they paying for that. Best advice they could give me, though I was annoyed at the time. I ended up doing it occasionally for fun and majoring in something else.
Maybe talk to your advisor and see what you can do. You might like Media Studies, which would go well with Drama.
And maybe try some non-Drama related clubs.
Good luck!
Hey, Stephanie. This is just general advice, since I’m not familiar with the UVA drama department particularly. First, it’s terrific that you enjoy your coursework and appreciate what you are learning. That puts you ahead of many First Years who are stunned to find out that engineering and commerce coursework is not quite what they thought it would be. (Says someone who started off pre-med and ended up graduating from UVA Law.). So while I agree that a double-major in a second field of interest might be a good insurance policy, I think you need to do more to feel comfortable in the drama classes you love.
I wrote a letter to my two First Years last summer exhorting them to try anything of interest no matter how inexperienced they were in the activity. As I told them, college is the best time to explore your latent interests before work, family and other commitments kick in. They are now filmmakers, published writers and improv performers — none of which they had ever done before. To use a phrase I kinda hate, you need to drink the Kool-Aid and believe that UVA wanted you because you have much to offer. Don’t put too much stock in experience — most of you are 18-22 years old. No one there is yet a Katherine Hepburn or Amy Adams. You have potential or you wouldn’t be there. Be brave and put yourself out there. Try new clubs and activities of ANY KIND to build confidence and a network of encouraging friends. If you have a drama professor you admire, start going to office hours and get some ideas about things you might do to get more involved in the department. Good luck!!