Spectral Visions: a student experience
‘Living the Dream’ - in the minds of most - is all about making the big time or taking your feet to fifty different locations around the world. For me, it’s slightly different.
Being a mature student, it was quite daunting when I walked into my first lecture at the University of Sunderland. Quite baffling considering I’m an English and Drama student, but even so, nerves did rattle. Most importantly because I never thought I’d get there and after important life changes, I made the brave decision to take ten steps behind me and go back into education. Those few steps - that seemed like more at the time - actually shot me forward like an arrow in the direction I’d always craved.
After studying abroad for part of my degree, I began to believe that I was now on the right path and I felt like I was soaring along it. America had always been a dream to me; to go there, to study there, and to perform there and after my second year of study, I noticed that boxes on my list were beginning to show check marks.
Theatre training in the States was an eye opener and I received a great amount of experience and advice that I will carry with me my entire life. My acting skills have developed and grown and the experience as a whole has changed me. I now have a new conditioned way of thinking, as well as part of my heart grounded on land across the Atlantic Ocean. However, it wasn’t until I returned to Sunderland that I noticed more influential changes. I also love to write and aspire to work within the publishing industry, so when my professor - Colin Younger - announced the launch of Spectral Visions Press, I was keen to get involved.
Originally drawn to Spectral Visions - a society who indulge in all things Gothic - I was educated with academic talks and group activities, which created nothing but excitement within me.
I was then asked to write a guest article for the SV Blog and got so involved with it, that I wrote two. This was definitely an opportunity that helped develop my writing skills and I am extremely grateful that I was allowed the chance. The world within Spectral Visions is not only influential, but extremely inviting - if you dare enter - and I encourage any student now and in the future, to become a member.
Following this, an event was organised in the style of a Ceilidh, where all students, lecturers and society members could allow themselves the chance to toast the haggis and dance till they dropped. As part of the academic side of the event, I put together and directed a performance based on Rabbie Burns’ poem Tam O’Shantor. Other drama students eagerly got involved to showcase this and it was great to demonstrate a different understanding of the imagery within the literary piece. We are thankful to the university and Spectral Visions for allowing us the chance to show what we have learned throughout our time at UoS.
At that point, Spectral Visions had turned my life around, so there was no hesitation when Colin announced the launch of the press company. I wanted a role. Thankfully, my lecturer noticed potential in my abilities and offered me the position of Deputy Editorial Team Leader; which I accepted gracefully.
Whilst being in the important job role, I have had the chance to develop all my skills and now feel confident about entering the world of employment and the publishing industry.
Together with working as part of the team at Spectral Visions Press, I have also been fortunate to write as a columnist for the sister magazine Wearside Craic, where dream interpretations are given to readers. Writing within SVP does not stop there either, as submissions have also been entered for publication in the new press release of The Grim Fairy Tales.
So you see, whilst working hard on perfecting academic papers, essays and performances in order to successfully graduate, I have built up a creative portfolio and curriculum vitae that will only benefit me in the future. Some students fall into - what they associate as - the doom and gloom overload of academic work, that they fail to recognise what creative work and extra-curricular accomplishments they also attain. Only now, in my final semester, have I noticed my own.
This year in particular has taught me, not to stop. Doors open to other doors and every opportunity should be taken, as it can only enhance what you already know and take you further. The experience you want to gain, is available at UoS, it’s just a matter of taking that step and getting involved.
SV and SVP have cultured, educated and provided me with opportunities that will remain a vital part of my career, as well as being significant to my creative developments and attributes. I will be forever thankful to Colin, Alison, Peter, Chloe, Elizabeth, Neda and Steve.
Referring back to the beginning of this post, I would like to clarify my meaning.
Whilst studying at Valdosta State University, my theatre professor Jacqueline Wheeler told me ‘Jenah, ten seconds at a time is just the right pace’. This small sentence of advice has impacted my way of thinking and I will remember it always. By listening to those words, I was able to acknowledge and experience the multiple opportunities I posess, have had and will gain in the future. Looking at how far I have come, I am not only living the dream; I’m living many.
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