Uni & Stress Theatre Student

I've miss writing in my blog, so I'm very happy to finally be back! My 2nd year as a theatre student started earlier this month so what better thing to write about than something that, for me, come holding hands: University and Stress.

This may sound surprising, even for me, but this summer I was just so excited and ready to start my second year of university as a theatre student.

Why this may sound surprising? Well, let's just say my last semester (2nd/spring semester of year 1) wasn't that great, all thanks to that one suffocating, stressful subject with a teacher that didn't like me that much (and this is a nice way to put things) and who created the most stressful and anxious environment I've ever worked in, and I studied my secondary school years in one of, if not the one, the most demanding art schools of Portugal... but now that's done and focusing on negative things in the past isn't good for anyone. Anyway, after this experience I just wasn't expecting to get so excited for school to start again, but I did, and I'm so happy  I did so.

Most people think that as a theatre student I don't have that much hard work and intelectual study to do, but that assumption is just wrong. All courses are different and they require different skills and sacrifices but that doesn't mean they aren't as demanding as other less artistic majors.

My experience at Uni, so far (besides that little stump on the way) has been great. I'm finally starting to get my confidence as an actress, which is funny and surprising since one of the hardest things for me is to deal and speak to a big number of people (ty social anxiety) but somehow, thanks to a continuously work and effort to put my shyness and overthinking to the side I'm finally starting to being able to present my work, whether is a play on a stage or a presentation of a paper/project for the class, without feeling like I'm being eaten alive and loosing all control.

On the other hand, I'm the type of girl that looks calm on the outside but the truth is I'm just a freekin stress and anxious mess when the exam season starts but that's normal and I know everything is going to be ok. Thankfully I discovered that breathing (when I'm super stressed and anxious I have trouble breathing) and not letting things to the last minute helps a lot when it comes to university stress (lol). So if you're like me just get your lazy bum up and do your things before the stress comes after you like Pennywise with a creepy music on the background!

This school year I have some pretty exciting things coming and my favourite has to be my going on a Erasmus+ programme adventure! I've been running like crazy trying to get everything done and ready so all checks up and next semester I'm in Lithuania studying! It has been a lot of work but as we portuguese say "quem corre por gosto não cansa", which means something like "who runs with pleasure doesn't get tired" and I've been definitely running with pleasure so far this year and I hope you do to!

Lots of love,

Rafaela