b'T3 Journal - Student Writing in Drama, University of Exeter 2019-20They were all valid observations. In my first year of studying Drama at Exeter, I tried so hard to fit in. Id become more aware about class differences and felt marginalised because of where I was from and tried hard to distance myself from it. Throughout the ensuing years, I was unable to attend a lot of the more lavish socials because Ive had to work near full-time to support my university studies. Ive always found, however, that Ive made much better connections with the residents of Exeter that I worked with than I had the students of the university. I wouldnt change that for anything.It wasnt until my second term when I studied Cabaret with the wonderful Olya Petrakova that I realised I should embrace where Im from and revel in my working-class identity. From then on, the Birmingham accent no longer sounded like the most abhorrent thing in the world; it was the most beautiful thing I could hear at that very moment.My degree has been more than exploring Brecht, navigating RussianAbsurdism,operatinglightingdesksandplaying stuck-in-the-mud. Ive studied many characters since GCSE Drama and studying Drama at Exeter was the most composite characterstudyIveeverundertaken:thestudyofmyself (apologies for the clich!). Ive never felt more assured in my own identity, despite the self-isolation and anxiety I endured at my own hands. It wasnt until I became proud of being working-class that everything else in my life felt easier.In the last four years, Ive lived in Exeter, spent a year of my life in Bangkok, and now I have an offer to live and work in Japan. Dont let anybody tell you Drama is a worthless degree. I dedicate this piece to the academics in the Drama department at Exeter and, most importantly, Miss Roberts and Mr Ravenhall at Baxter College. Without you two there to support me through my Drama studies in high school and sixth form, I dont know where I would have ended up. Finally, I thank the careers advisor, for giving me a reason to prove your professional opinion might have been a bit of a stretch.58'