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### Your Major is Biology, But Your Heart is in the Pirouette: How to Live a Dancer's Life in College
Let’s get one thing straight: you don’t need a piece of paper to validate your passion. So you’re heading to college (or you’re already there) and your heart beats in 8-counts, but your major is in something like engineering, pre-med, or literature. Does that mean your dance life has to take a back seat? Absolutely not.
In fact, some of the most well-rounded, passionate, and creatively fulfilled dancers I’ve met were the ones who pursued their academic interests *alongside* their art. They dance because they love it, not because it’s a requirement. Here’s your game plan for having an incredibly rich dance life without the degree.
#### 1. Raid the Course Catalog (Yes, You Can Still Take Classes!)
Most universities offer dance classes through their theatre, physical education, or fine arts departments that are open to ALL students. You might not be in the BFA program, but you can often enroll in:
* **Beginner/Intermediate Technique:** Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip-Hop.
* **Cultural Dance Forms:** African, Salsa, Bollywood.
* **Specialized Workshops:** Composition, Improv, Dance History.
Pro Tip: Email the professor beforehand. Introduce yourself, state your major, and express your genuine interest. They’ll often appreciate your enthusiasm and might even override a prerequisite for you.
#### 2. Your New Second Home: The Student Dance Club
This is your secret weapon. Almost every campus has student-run dance organizations, and they are a goldmine.
* **Student-Led Classes:** Learn from your peers! It’s low-pressure, often free or very cheap, and covers everything from K-Pop to Contemporary.
* **Performance Opportunities:** Most clubs host showcases each semester. This is your chance to choreograph, perform, and collaborate. The audition process is usually much more accessible than for the official department productions.
* **Instant Community:** You’ll find your people here—the other students who also live for late-night practice sessions in empty dorm lounges.
#### 3. Think Outside the (University) Box
Your college town is a ecosystem. Don’t limit yourself to campus.
* **Find a Local Studio:** Many studios offer discounted college student rates or class cards. A weekly class at a professional studio can keep your technique sharp and connect you to the local dance scene.
* **Audition for Community Groups:** Look for community theatre productions or semi-professional contemporary companies in the area. It’s real-world experience and looks great on any resume.
#### 4. Create Your Own Opportunities
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Build it.
* **Start a Project:** Gather a few friends from the dance club and choreograph a piece. Film it. Enter it in a campus film festival.
* **Organize a Jam:** Host a weekly improvisation session or a cypher. You’d be surprised how many people will show up.
#### 5. Embrace the "And"
The most powerful part of not being a dance major? You get to be a dancer *and* something else. You are a **neuroscientist and a dancer**. A **computer programmer and a b-boy**. A **political scientist and a modern choreographer**.
This duality is your superpower. Your academic studies will influence your artistry in ways you can’t yet imagine, giving you a unique perspective and a story to tell through movement. Your dance life will, in turn, teach you discipline, creativity, and resilience that will fuel your academic success.
So go for it. Declare your major in whatever sets your intellectual soul on fire. But never, ever declare a minor in your passion. Let it be a core part of your identity, right alongside everything else you are becoming.
Now go find a studio and dance. Your brain (and your soul) will thank you for it.
