Sectionals. State. Do either of these have to be the end of the road? Not counting basketball games and the team banquet, of course.

Some of you out there are in the middle of cramming for high school finals–and for seniors, it’s hopefully your final high school finals! 8CA staff writer Mallory Peters recently jotted down a few thoughts in the middle of her own final finals. In her case, college and her formal dance studies are wrapping up.

Read on for some wise reflections and advice for dancers who don’t want the music to end with high school graduation. –norm / 8CA team leader

As I sit here, about to enter the second to last finals week of my life, I absolutely cannot wait for them to be over (as long as I continue to opt out of grad school). School has been such a blessing for me, but boy, this girl is getting a severe case of senioritis and just needs a break! However, I am becoming very reminiscent as some friends get ready to graduate this December and leave me here to learn. I should not complain, though, since I get to have one more semester to dance. The spring will be my last semester of dance. How weird is that.

With growing up, we have to say goodbye to a lot of things, but how do you say goodbye to something you have kept doing, somehow, since you were eight? For me, that is about fourteen years. I am getting so old and I know right there, there was someone older than me rolling their eyes. Can you blame me, though? I am sure that when you were graduating you felt the same way. That feeling will probably never go away as we continue to get older with each passing day.

Anyway, coming back to my point, how am I going to not spend my Wednesday nights not heading to the studio to learn a workshop from my peers? I have no idea. The thought is truly frightening. I know there are options to continue to keep it in my life as I head back home to live with my mom because, let’s face it, I am very, very broke. I am wondering if that is something I should really consider, though, or if doing so would just push back my bittersweet goodbye. How do we know when to stop?

I have known plenty of people who danced for years and then decide to pursue other interests once they entered college. I tried that for a semester, but did not want to sign up for a gym membership, so taking a tap class made so much more sense. Little did I know that signing up for that class would then have me get a minor in dance and become way more involved in student organizations. I am rambling. Let’s talk about you. Have you considered your options?

High school graduates/future college students- I have been in your position only four years ago and I want you to know that your decision should only lead to your happiness. Some people find other organizations to be a part of instead having dance control their social life, and that is more than okay! However, have you looked to see if your college offers a dance team? Okay, I am sure you all have looked into that already. Maybe you follow their team instagram account, too (I follow FSU’s dance team and I never even applied there). Understandable. What if you want to dance and take other activities as well and the dance teams are too time consuming? Again, understandable.

Most colleges and universities have dance student organizations that are less time consuming and just as fun! I highly recommend it because even those still have plenty of performance opportunities. Does your college offer dance classes you can take? Certain schools that have dance minor/major programs will let students take their lower level or 100 level classes just for credit which can be other ways to learn new skills and technique. There also might be a studio or Park and Recreation department in the town of your college that is looking for teachers! Do not let the size of your school discourage you either. I go to little old Whitewater and they offer all of these awesome chances for students and it is how I have met some of my best friends. You just have to put yourself out there and research on your school’s website. Ask questions, too! Being a president of my dance organization on campus, I love answering perspective members’ questions on what we are all about. You can never be annoying when trying to figure out what to do with all of this spare time you will have.

With whatever you decide to do, dance or no dance, get involved! Live your college life without any regrets. It is the most perfect time to try new things that can stick with you forever or you decide is not worth it after an hour long meeting. It is a scary, but very exciting time and I will miss it incredibly. I can only hope my words reach out to at least one student. Until then, enjoy what is left of this semester and I only hope for A’s on all of your final projects, papers, and exams.

Mallory Peters danced on Wauconda’s competition team before heading off to Wisconsin-Whitewater. She’s President of the UWW Dance Company and is set to graduate this spring with a communications / P.R. major and a dance minor.