As a former Irish Step dancer, I was taught many lessons that make up the values that I hold to this day. Now, as a junior in college, I am grateful to have learned these lessons and find them extremely valuable in college. You may already live by these few rules, but if you don’t, here is a reminder for you to incorporate them into your everyday life.
You are only as good as the work you put in.
I learned this lesson the hard way at my first Irish dance competition. Halfway through my first dance, I forgot my steps and ran off stage in utter embarrassment. Honestly, what had I expected? I put the bare minimum effort into practicing my steps, so naturally, I was likely to forget them. Just like studying for a huge exam, I can’t expect to show up on test day and somehow magically know the answers from barely opening the textbook. Everyone knows the phrase “practice makes perfect,” but it is often much easier said than done. Finding the motivation to dedicate long hours can be extremely difficult at times, but remember your end goal. Your hard work will pay off and winning that shiny gold medal or acing that exam will be well worth the sweat and tears.
Put effort into working as a team and you will reap the benefits.
In dancing with others, the success of the routine is often reliant on the strength of the team’s bond. By forming this with my team, we became comfortable enough to correct each other’s mistakes and acknowledge any lack of effort. We learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses. What one person lacked, the other made up for. Similarly, I can credit these collaborative skills to much of my college success. I found that studying with others by attempting to teach them the material can be super beneficial. Also, it can be a great way to make friendships with peers in the same major who can act as a support system when facing similar struggles throughout college and into your professional lives.
Let failure be your motivation to succeed.
As any dancer can attest, failing to place in a competition can be discouraging. You become frustrated that the strenuous hours spent perfecting your technique weren’t enough to earn you that medal. During times like these, I try not to let defeat consume me. Everyone fails at some point, but it’s the steps you take after that loss that will determine your future success. Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling, had her script denied by 12 of the biggest publishers before it was published by a small company that would ultimately make her the world’s highest-paid author. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team before becoming one of the most famous basketball players of all time. Walt Disney was told that he “lacked imagination” by an editor before becoming a world-renowned motion picture producer, entertainment inspiration and creator of the world’s most famous theme park. Instead of allowing failure and the feeling of hopelessness to weigh me down, I allow myself to feel that initial sting of disappointment, take a minute to evaluate why I failed and what I can learn from it and then move on to future endeavors.
Whether you’re a college student, dancer or in any other type of career, I believe that anyone can learn a thing or two from these lessons. They may not always be easy to follow, but with time and a conscious effort, they can be beneficial to anyone’s success.
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