At UCI, winter quarter is typically referred to as “application season” because it is during this term that campus organizations (ex. the orientation program, SPOP, and the campus tour program, Campus Representatives) recruit members to train during spring quarter so that they are prepared for their role in the next school year. Though there may have been many clubs and organizations welcoming new members for this quarter, it has been interesting for me to already think about my activities for my next year in college. At this point of the year it seems as if I am transitioning from wanting to get involved in everything interesting to me, to now prioritizing how these extracurriculars fit within my personal and academic life.
This speculation of my academic and extracurricular life for next year was somewhat challenging because as a student who is undeclared, it was not entirely clear what my academic career looks like. Fortunately for me, I received inspiration of how my career might look like if I pursued a particular major.
This past week I attended UCI Drama’s phenomenal production of The Penelopiad. It was essentially a retelling of the Odyssey from Penelope’s perspective (for those familiar with the epic). The season theme for drama shows this school year is a centennial celebration of the women’s right to vote and it was inspiring to see many women involved in a feminist production because the struggles of females in history is an important message to relay and help resonate within society. The play was particularly inspirational to me however, because the cast consisted not only of artists who were evidently passionate and enjoyed their work, but also ones who knew how to cooperate and communicate to create art. I enjoyed how there was an evident sense of community and creativity within the cast and crew of the show and it overall reminded me of the beauty of this art. As I take drama classes at UCI I always find something valuable to learn in my work but I am often conflicted to pursue this as a major because it is not clear of what my future in it may be.
So as I am currently involved in ASUCI I can practice the recreational and logistical side to providing art and entertainment to students which I find enriching and enjoyable. However, whenever I attend performing arts shows I am reminded of how I might want to be a part of the show-making process in the future. Whether this might mean declaring a major in drama or simply in the shows itself, I hope as I plan for the next school year that getting more involved in this art is included in that future.