Why It's Important to Believe That You can Make a Difference



Us drama students have a bit of a rep for being arty-farty, and our lecturers are no exception to the rule.

On many occasions you will catch us smirking at each other in class while the lecturer is talking, unaware of the impact a passing comment they have made has had on us, and we'll frantically note it down to recite at one another later on (cue a chorus of, "this isn't stressful, this is reality" every time someone moans about feeling under pressure)

Generally, these are daft things that we can't quite believe we've heard or intelligent statements that we want to remember. But every now and again a comment will be made that genuinely strikes a chord with one or all of us. For me this happened big time last semester when our lecturer paused during a Community Theatre lecture and said,

"Don't let anybody tell you that you can't make a difference."

And how right he is.

It was just a brief moment, but for me it really meant a lot. When a lot of the time the response to the statement, "I study drama!" is a sympathetic smile or a feeble attempt at a tree joke, it can be hard to feel as though my choice of life path is worthwhile. But it's in moments such as this particular lecture that my passion and drive is reaffirmed.












 There are so many people who have influenced this life choice- far less my family and teachers- but all of those people who made the same decision decades ago and were involved in all of the musicals and films and performances I got taken to see while I was growing up. Without their presence and involvement in the arts, there would not have been shows for me to see and consequently want to get involved.

They don't know it, but they've saved, made and changed my life.

And this is what my lecturer meant.


No matter how seemingly small an act or passion, the important thing is to follow it and to throw yourself in wholeheartedly and you will undoubtedly touch people along the way. One of the most heart-warming experiences I had recently was a young girl at placement who came over to us after our class to tell us that she wanted to start drama classes outside of school. To me, this was mission accomplished. Knowing that we had inspired at least one person, and perhaps have influenced her confidence, was all we could have hoped for. It doesn't matter if the other 20 kids never want to play wink murder ever again, the fact that even one life has been influenced is the stuff of dreams.


We all want to make a difference on some scale. I want to do it through theatre, while many of my friends want to do so through medicine or teaching. But no matter what the avenue it all comes down to the same thing: you are capable of creating the change you want to see in the world, as long as you believe you can.

The most beautiful opportunity in life is to ignite a spark in someone that will never die out. Whether you succeed yourself or inspire somebody else to continue your vision with or for you, it is crucial to pursue your dreams and ambitions.  Change will come if you try hard enough.


Vicky x

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