How to Make the Most of Your High School Dance Team Experience

How to Make the Most of Your High School Dance Team Experience – UDA Megan

Being involved with the spirit squad in high school is a great way to get involved, meet new people and of course, show your school spirit. High school flies by in only four years and it’s important to take advantage of every opportunity you have.

Give 100% at every practice, game, and competition

When looking back on your four years you don’t want to have any regrets. It’s super important to make sure that you are constantly pushing yourself and striving to be the best you can be! Even though it might be hard in the moment to show up and give 100% when you had a rough day at school or other things are going on in your life etc., pushing through that momentary struggle will be worth it in the long run!

Get to know your teammates outside of practice

In some cases when joining a dance team, you might be interacting with people that you haven’t known very well in the past. This is the perfect opportunity to create bonds and friendships with people that share the same interests that you do. Team bonding activities outside of practice allow you to learn more about your fellow dancers in ways that don’t involve dance. This will make your relationship as a team even stronger.

Become a leader for your team

Whether or not you carry an official captain or officer position, you can still be an influential leader for your team. Leading by example is a great non-vocal way to show what is expected of your teammates. When you obtain a veteran position on your team, it is your job to make sure that the rookies understand what is expected of them and how they should act. If you notice that a newer member of your team is struggling in some aspect, reach out and let them know that you are there to help them out with anything they may need!

Start to think about what you want to do after high school

Use your time on the high school dance team to come up with some possible ways you want to include dance in your future. Do you want to be on a college dance team? Study dance as your major? Start working on choreography? All of these routes are great ways to include dance in your future and your last couple years of high school are the perfect time! Many dance teams and dance programs in college hold clinics or hands-on experiences to experience what it might be like to be a part of their community. Another great resource to utilize is your coaches; often they have their own connections and insights in the world of dance and might be able to help point you in the right direction.

Enjoy the little things

Pre-football game dinners, bus rides to competitions, UDA camp, etc. It’s very easy to fall into a routine and take these experiences for granted but soon there will be just a memory to look back on. When you are in the moment, make sure to take advantage of these fun times with your teammates and coaches and soak up every second!