Clubs as On-Campus Community: A Senior’s Perspective

Toward the end of my sophomore year, I recognized a creative void in my college experience. I missed the movement and friendship that dance offers. Though I was hesitant to search for a club halfway through college, and I worried that I had lost my skills, I went to NYU’s Club Fest and decided to try out a few options.

During the spring of my junior year, I ended up attending Dancers/Choreographers Alliance (DCA) start-of- semester retreat. DCA is a club housed in the Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Although I am an NYU Steinhardt student, I could still join DCA, as can dancers from any NYU school or level. I was completely new to the club and didn’t know anyone, but the group welcomed me.

I remember being cast in my first piece with DCA. It was a contemporary routine to “The Exit” by Conan Gray, an artist I have loved for many years. I considered this fate, like I was meant to dance again and in this space. Now, I am dancing with DCA for a third semester, and I have loved every second. Going to rehearsal is one of my favorite parts of the week. I don’t have to think about any stressors, and it’s an opportunity to do something I love with people who share the same interest.

We also have a showcase at the end of each semester, which has become one of my favorite NYU traditions. My parents drive in to see the performance, and I get lunch with them and all my friends who come to support me afterward. Being surrounded by my loved ones and relishing one of my proudest creative outputs with them is an infectious type of joy.

College offers the opportunity to explore new hobbies. It is also a time to expand on your favorite hobbies in ways you may not have expected. It is never too late to find a new sense of community. If you feel like there is something missing in your social experience, you can feel empowered to make a positive change—even if you think there are a million reasons not to.

I have made some great friends in DCA. At the same time, I have rediscovered a passion that holds deep meaning for me. As you transition to a new phase of life, I encourage you to seek out a similar source of community. Doing so can help you feel more in touch with your identity and more at home in your new environment.