Walk With Purpose

As an undergraduate Theatre major at Hollins University, there were a few things that I was pretty much required to do. I was generally obligated to join the Hollins chapter of Alpha Psi Omega (the national Theatre fraternity/sorority/ambiguity...I went to an all girl's school--we didn't feel comfortable just calling something a "fraternity".) On a grander scale, I was responsible for wearing a lot of black clothing and talking loudly on a regular basis (it's nice to know that some things don't really change). But academically, few Theatre majors completed their degree without the obligatory internship at Roanoke, VA's Mill Mountain Theatre. Most of us worked in the scene shop, or we worked running crew for a production (some of us managed to do both)--but we all spent time at Mill Mountain...including my friend Lucia.

Now, Lucia got an internship working running crew for a production of All In the Timing (a collection of one-acts). Her primary responsibility was to move furniture in between scenes. I can remember very clearly Lucia coming back to the dorm one evening and being very frustrated with a note she received from her stage manager. When she went out onstage, Lucia needed to "walk with purpose". Lucia had no idea what that meant and we spent the next few weeks mocking that obscure note from the stage manager (Lucia determined the "purpose" with which she was to walk was that of mowing down anyone in her path--this created some very humorous scene changes).

I am older and wiser now. I know that walking with "purpose" simply means that you don't wander aimlessly all over the stage. You move quickly and directly from point A to point B.

I mention all of this because I see a lot of students who don't "walk with purpose" in their education. It's fine to take classes in things that interest you (even if they don't fulfill a degree requirement!) but you can't pursue your degree aimlessly. If you've "checked out" on your education, before you've really even started it, what is the point?

The same holds true in those dreaded general education classes. If you don't apply yourself to them and take advantage of the learning they afford you, then it will take you twice as long to learn basic concepts. What do I mean? I mean the students who wander aimlessly in their gen ed classes by doing the MINIMAL amount of work, by keeping their laptops open and playing on Facebook when they're in class, by making the assumption that they know EVERYTHING that the class has to teach them, rather than opening themselves to new possibilities. That's not walking with purpose.

Here's something else to consider: I've discussed before that many of my performing arts students are held to "professional" standards (Theatre students, Music students, I'm looking at you!) If it is your intent to have a PROFESSIONAL career in either of these fields, do you really and honestly believe that you are taking purposeful strides by behaving so poorly in ANY of your classes? Ask yourself if you would treat a professional director or conductor the way you have treated some of your professors? Most of you know (or should know) that you NEVER show up late for a rehearsal or a performance. You should be treating your classes the same way.

Above all, remember this. When you are in elementary, junior high, and high school, your education is a right. The state and the federal government mandate that each student (regardless of race or gender) has the right to an education. Once you get out of high school, any further education you acquire is a privilege. You must (unless you are lucky enough to get a full scholarship) pay for any education you receive. Wouldn't it be better to start treating your time in college as a privilege, rather than an obligation? You are the only person who can determine what to do with your life and the choices you make. I am simply suggesting that you walk through your educational journey with purpose and professionalism.