But as always with University, new ventures, opportunities and demands continue
to roll on with little sign of slowing, and the need to keep on top of things
grows ever more fervently. For example, I’m currently amidst a swathe of
internal, group-project-based and coursework deadlines (perfectly synchronised
with the recent reappearance of the sun, it seems!), and will be for the next
fortnight or so – just in time for the arrival of exam season, and revision
aplenty (hopefully)!
And yet, although current sleeping patterns leave much to be desired (they’re
a far cry from the mid-day wake-ups I frequently managed over the holidays!), I
really can’t imagine life at Southampton any other way.
But why bother with it all?
My favourite thing about the freedom of being a student is the way in
which you’re free to engage with whichever aspects of independent life you choose, such as your course (which, of course,
everyone here should be engaging with a great deal!), your future beyond it,
your extra-curricular commitments, your relationships and much more, each
demanding of you certain skills or personal traits in return.
These aspects of student life constantly overlap and interweave, so
you’ll find that, for example in the case of a computer scientist such as
myself, learning a skill to apply in the context of an extra-curricular
commitment (like learning the data manipulation language which is used on the
Students’ Union Theatre Group’s website) can then prove to reinforce qualities,
knowledge or abilities which may help elsewhere – say, in the instance where
you’re set a coursework assignment to be completed in that very language!
So as I’m planning on attending just the one University programme, I
started out with the intention of getting the best out of the student experience,
and, as I got more and more involved, soon realised that such packed daily
routines, be they with studying, acting or just enjoying the company of my
fellow students, culminate to develop within me many skills, pearls of wisdom
and personal character traits – University truly is the learning experience of
a lifetime!
It’s for this reason that I think getting involved with all aspects of
student life is important, as it can help nurture qualities within you that you
perhaps didn’t previously believe ever existed. Before I came to Southampton, I
was a very introverted and shy character, and to a degree I still am, but just
by trying to get involved with as much as possible (not just extra-curricular,
but taking academic opportunities too, such as by attending careers events!), I
think I’ve already, to an extent at least, developed greater confidence
academically, socially, performing-wise and generally.
I’m now much happier at applying such a trait to various situations, be
it when making a presentation to an audience (through my experiences on stage
and with stand-up comedy), social situations (from befriending members of the
large, diverse student body) and when settling down to revision (recalling
previous noting systems which worked well for me). I feel like every experience
at the University has helped me and fortified at least one skill – well, almost
every experience (nights out not included)!
So what’s next in terms of opportunities, and, consequentially, skill
applications? Well, the previous few months have seen me fortunate enough to
make an assistant directorial debut with Theatre Group’s final local show of
the year, Keeping Down with the Joneses,
a hilarious situational comedy In which an MP ends up trapped underground in
his own nuclear bomb shelter with his wife, dotty mother-in-law and a various
assortment of other extravagant characters, all of whose quirky natures and
exuberant personalities are sure to have many an audience in stitches. Most of
them can make me chuckle just through their facial expressions alone!
There’s very little by the way of gravitas or deep meaning to get in
the way of your sheer enjoyment – Joneses
is a production put together to achieve one thing, and that’s to make you
laugh! It’s on at the Annex Theatre between Wednesday 1 and Saturday 4 May,
starting at 7.30pm every night, and we’d love to see you there. If you’re still
not convinced, then check out our preview:
Being an assistant director throughout the Joneses’ rehearsal process has been a hugely different but yet
equally, if not more so, rewarding opportunity than the standard acting fare,
particularly in terms of skill development and experience. Thanks to the
enthusiasm, faith, creativity and hard work of the other members of the
production team, not to mention that of the talented cast, it’s been one the
most relaxed and all-out fun shows I’ve been involved with.
I’ve found the major difference of directing to acting has been in
terms of the skills demanded, the most salient being those related to aspects
of leadership. For example, on occasions when the main director Tom has
required us to, Jed (the other assistant) and I have had to lead constructive
but enjoyable rehearsals for the cast, and provide creative input into many of
the decisions which have shaped the show. As far as team efforts go, it’s been
monumental!
And although I initially struggled to adapt to the newly-encountered
role, as the production has gone on I’ve slowly but surely been developing techniques
which have led to me at various points conducting one-on-one characterisation
sessions, workshops for troublesome scenes and relationships, and physical
warm-up activities – in other words, acting as a leader!
Taking the initiative in the production, however infrequently, has
helped me to develop skills which could be applicable across many walks of life
– just another example of how University really is a learning experience!
So, given the multitude of opportunities and ways of getting stuck into
University life, why miss out on academic, social or extra-curricular
experiences? After all, who knows where they could take you?
Robin
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