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Lydia Brown ’17

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at C of C chapter.

Year: Sophomore

Major/minor: Dance major and contemplating a creative writing minor

Born: Queens, NY Hometown: Greenville, SC 

What made you want to come to CofC?

I was actually considering going to school in Atlanta! But when I came here, I fell in love with this campus and theatre department facilities. I could see myself living here for at least the 4 years college would occupy. I also spoke with the head of the dance department, Gretchen McClaine. She encouraged me to join the program here. 

What’s the best part about being an RA at CofC?

I like being an RA because I have met so many people. Not only do I get to know my co-workers, but I can also reach out to residents. It helps me develop my social skills and not be like a hermit that hangs around by itself. Besides being an RA, what campus activities are you involved in?

I am involved in Dance Alliance. We host student run classes every Friday at 2 o clock in Cato 333. Everyone is welcome! It doesn’t matter what level you are. I narrowed down my extracurriculars so that I could focus on my dance training for a potential career in dance after college. I also sometimes go to The Journey, a Presbyterian based religious group for students. The leader, Colin, is awesome and his sermons are short but interesting. We meet every Wednesday at 6 in the upper bar of Joe Pasta. Sometimes I take extra dance classes at Dance Fx. A lot of CofC Dancers go there as well, so it just further enhances that sense of community.I know that you love to dance, so what would you say is your favorite style of dance?

It is hard to say what my favorite style is because I have respect for all forms. My least favorite may have to be ballet, unless I had a good day in class, then I might actually like it a little. My favorite would probably be either contemporary or hip hop. That is like two ends of the spectrum but I feel like my body is more accustomed to urban dancing you’d see in the Step Up movies. However, I would like to get more formal training in contemporary because it taps into the emotional acting side of professional dance.When you’re not in class or working, what do you like to do?

I like to write short stories a lot. I never finish them because they turn into short novels and then I get bored and jump on a whole new concept entirely. I love reading as well, I like science fiction, classics, romance, action/suspense, pretty much anything that I can focus energy into. I dance and sing a lot more than is socially acceptable but I love that about me! Also, NETFLIX consumes a huge part of my downtime.With a year of college behind you, what do you think is the most important thing new freshmen need to know?

What most freshmen probably need to know is that you will change throughout college. Through classes and getting involved, you’ll start to establish who you are as a person and it may be someone you would have never thought you could be. College is the time to explore your interests and put forth that effort, so that as you approach entrance into the real world, you’ll be able to do so with less fear and more conviction in your beliefs, values, and future goals.

Erin Wiley is a junior at the College of Charleston, pursuing an AB degree in Arts Management with a minor in Communication. She has been writing for Her Campus for almost two years and created and maintains Her Campus CofC's Pinterest page. She loves everything from music to movies to fashion, and everything in between. After college, she hopes to do something in the entertainment industry, working with either a music producer or a film company. In her spare time, Erin likes to read, watch movies, and walk around historic downtown Charleston.