what I learned in my first weeks at drama school...

A stationery haul, a movement project, and will Dan be able to start a morning routine? All this and more...
Instagram / danieljlayton
Patreon: / danieljlayton
Shop: danieljlayton....

[@RebDay]

i am SO with you on the oppressive neon highlighters. not aesthetic!!!!!! this vid was a joy I’m just constantly bursting with pride x

[@DanLayton]

Constantly grateful for you and I will listen to your voicenotes SO SOON I PROMISE

[@georginachard8604]

I've been watching for a long time, it brings me so much joy to see the "actor" back under your name where it belongs!!!!

[@kepriest]

dame judy bench is an absolute knee slapper

[@duck6100]

It’s weird watching someone so excited about further education as a person in their final 6 months of a PhD. I have no soul anymore and it’s blessed seeing someone who still has one.

[@childmiddle]

The sun shining so brightly on you while you're talking about how it's finally your time... Oh the symbolism!!!

[@DanLayton]

If stop to appreciate it if it wasn’t making me so warm…

[@maryannc7223]

I went back to grad school at 40. It’s intense. You can do it. Now I teach at a masters level. The students are overwhelmed. They survive. You can do it. Highlighters are important but they’re not everything.

[@SimplySophieLou]

I pre-ordered baking with Layton all those years ago and now I can't wait to one day buy a ticket to your first west end show, and then all the shows that follow.

[@DanLayton]

Thank you so much for being here 💚

[@beckymorgan812]

I love this type of content from you! Just the chats and updates of how things are going, what you're getting upto :)

[@DanLayton]

I’m really glad!! I want to make a ton this year, it feels very nice and familiar

[@joshtiley3460]

So so so happy for you Dan!! Watching this, you look like you’re really enjoying yourself and you’ve found what you were supposed to do and that’s so infectious. Just goes to show that whatever stage you’re at in life, if you want something just try and go for it.

[@DanLayton]

💚💚💚

[@ireallydidntwanttomakeanac575]

It's a genuine joy to see how excited, elated and grateful you are about drama school throughout the vlog, your positive energy is infectious. All the best going forward!

[@emilynolf]

i'm not crying at "Daniel J, Layton Actor" YOU are

[@nudgificator]

I can already tell I'm going to be watching all these updates with a big silly grin on my face. Seeing you thriving getting to do something you clearly love so much and wanted for so long makes me *very* happy.

[@vinnm4516]

It's so good to see you jumping in full force to this!! Also, here is my one and only 30-year-old college life TM suggestion- Get a shower chair. My god, life improves so much with a shower chair that you can just collapse in at the end of a long day and be gently drenched without having to do the work of standing. Bare minimum one of those little folding step stools. Life changing, cannot recommend enough.

[@DanLayton]

Oh my good gracious what a suggestion!!! I will immediately look into it…

[@hollyserena9965]

Your last video inspired me and I managed to get a late enrolment onto an animal management course! It's scary and weird being back in education but I'm happy for where this could take me in the future. Proud of you and I'm proud of me for taking this new step for the future

[@DanLayton]

Oh wow that’s amazing!!! Congratulations!! I’m so glad you took the plunge - it is terrifying, especially when it’s so last minute and it feels a bit like you jumped in at the deep end, but that’s made up for with the way you’re banking on yourself. Keep going!!

[@hollyserena9965]

@@DanLayton thank you! It's always something I thought of doing and seeing your video just made me think that maybe it's time to take the plunge and do the career change I've always wanted :)

[@maria19ib]

I absolutely love seeing your journey through this! One of the most memorable things about university for me is feeling like I couldn't do something, like I didn't have what it takes, doing it anyway, and seeing the growth and satisfaction from it. You are doing an amazing job just having the courage to show up for the challenge and give it your all ❤️

[@Rolling_Robin17]

I have watched you since i was 13 I’m now 22 and starting my acting degree at the same time as you. These videos are really comforting for me it makes this whole acting school thing feel normal when its not. So thank you for sharing your experience so i don’t feel as lost

[@DanLayton]

That’s so exciting!! I hope our paths cross in the work one day!!

[@StellaFiver]

It seems like you're exactly where you're supposed to be right now and that makes me so happy! I'll be living vicariously through you for the foreseeable future.

[@hannahc2966]

I love these videos! As soon as I saw it on my home page I thought 'oo, let me put the kettle on' :D Its like sitting with a friend

[@imogencurtis6245]

It’s so beautiful seeing the joy in your whole body shine through as you’re talking about this new chapter

[@frog_inabog_]

I can’t believe I’ve only just realised I’ll be doing my masters year alongside you!! I’m doing a degree in comics and your refreshing enthousiasm is reminding me just why I chose the arts and it is wonderful, I’m honoured to be parasocially experiencing this part of life with you

[@014bee]

Okay, starting vlogs with "whack the kettle on" is now my favourite thing. Also, good god, yes graduate degrees (I think in the UK you call them post-graduate degrees?), are a hell of a lot. I'm in the last year of a history PhD and oh boy, I have never been tired like this.

[@scribblerat9083]

YES DAN. WHOLE-ASS, DONT HALF-ASS, YOUR MASTERS! 🎉

[@CrasandBurn]

That last minute of Dan talking about the opportunity made me well up. So nice to see you throw in 1000%

[@PeteRepeatYT]

You know how proud I am of you Dan, and this is so wonderful to see. Your journey is inspiring itself, but seeing you dive headfirst into it with the grace you display makes it even more so. ❤

[@EmilyHinchliff]

You are an absolute delight to watch, a real and true gem of the ol' KZbin space and getting to see you finally live out your destiny is simply wonderful. So very proud of you, always x

[@donaldfinch1411]

I'm living so vicariously, and so joyful that you took this opportunity! ( As a single gent who had to support myself, by the time I could even CONSIDER returning to complete my degree, all my credits had expired and I would have had to " start at the very beginning", NOT a very good place to start in one's 50s.)

[@DanLayton]

That’s so frustrating, BUT…and this is not a platitude…one thing I’m learning is that it quite genuinely is never too late. Thats not a cliche or a slogan like it can sound. There are folks in their 50s and, I believe, 60s on my course. Everything in its own time!

[@eliontheinternet3298]

It is so life-affirming to hear someone so passionate about what they do, getting to do that day in and day out :)

[@colouredquiet2407]

Dan, I think I've never commented on your videos before, but I've been watching you for a loooooong time, and as a musician who's never finished their university degree I am beyond happy for you. Just the way that you're gushing and excited and so interested in everything is lovely to witness, it really is the right time and the right place for you.

[@daisyrye]

AHH I'm so happy it's going well! I can't explain the joy of listening to someone talk about something they're passionate about...and this is that! Like you said, right place, right time ❤️

[@banrions]

it's so lovely to see you having such a goddamn blast with this.

[@hellou27]

Theres a reason I like Pukka pads and its because they do tinted paper for anyone with irlens and dyslexia! Old reliable came through... now if only they would do squared Lavender paper, I would through my wage at them (I'm not going back to uni but i work as a support worker in a college and make a ton of notes for myself and students)

[@wtfscientists]

My mum bought me an engraved parker pen for uni (and two more since I lost them) and I will swear by them. Refillable, respectable, demure. Also pls continue this series I would like to vicariously live my unrealised theatre kid dreams through u!!

[@nimsnook]

it was very comforting to see someone else buy the pastel ryman pens only to realise they were in fact black ink... makes me feel less alone

[@DanLayton]

At this point there are enough of us for action to be cinsidered

[@sadyeehaw7252]

i'm so glad you're back!!! this is so inspiring for someone who loves musical theatre but feels it's already too late in life to do it

[@ivakolar3529]

I'm almost 30 and have been working as a teacher for 4 years now - and I've never left my back-to-school phase, cause it was primary, then high school, the uni and now I teach. Stationery is my best friend. I have those exact pastel highlighters AND also thin gel pens in pastel for correcting tests. Gives me so much joy. 😁

[@chopsticks1000]

I love following your journey, I have also embarked on a masters this year and find it really interesting having this gratitude mindset and the benefit of being slightly older, slightly wiser and having slightly more appreciation! Have an amazing time!

[@pisto30]

I was today years old when I discovered pastel highlighters are a thing? Live long enough you really see everything I'm so excited for you Dan! Your enthusiasm's infectious! 🫂❤

[@Oh_HotSausage]

Thank you Daniel J Layton we all say in unison :)

[@Tessothemorning]

I'm so delighted for you, Dan. What a joy for you to be able to throw yourself into this experience.

[@kittynekocat]

This is absolutely the content I love to see! You're doing great Dan!

[@aisling_90]

Not gonna skip ads on this one 😂. We're proud of you Dan

[@scribblerat9083]

Yes for growth mindset with regard to improving on dance classes!

[@noahstatter]

As someone who is currently three weeks into his Acting BA at Italia Conti, the way you talk about acting and performance and the craft is so relatable. As is the bit about watching acting exercises from the outside, does make you feel like you're in a mental asylum sometimes :)

[@MeBeBlossom]

I miss you on Wrestletalk but so happy to see you thriving and living your dreams 💜

[@goldenminty1971]

I relise I will sound like a parent but I’m so proud of you for doing this. I’ve been watching your videos for years and could see you always wanted something more for youself and I’m so pleased you’ve found it! Your quote on the wall is correct it seems this is the right time for you to do this! How exciting and inspiring you’ve inspired me as well 😊 also side note loved the stationary chat it should be a regular segment the merits and cons of stationary need to be discussed more and no I’m not being sarcastic it’s an important and valid conversation! So pleased for you and look forward to more videos 😊

[@mynameiszeke]

hey dan! i am heading to drama school next year and randomly binged all of your theatre and prose reading videos today, so happy to see this in my feed!

[@Cmd1111]

This is so good! This inside look into BECOMING an actor is so awesome and original! Pls keep these coming on a weekly basis if u can! 😍

[@AmberBlogsLife]

as a PhD student (second year just started, woohoo) who went back to studying after a few years woking this gives me so much validation :) you look so very happy!

[@Minififi94]

This is such an inspiring sentiment at the end there. I'm going into the second year of my PhD and it makes me feel like I'm stupid so often (I hear it's a common feature of that process) and it can be exhausting. But right now I got to take a moment to remind myself that a lot of people dream to get a position like mine and heck I'VE dreamed of this and there my motivation is back!

[@duck6100]

I’m finishing my PhD in a few months and I can tell you the feeling of being stupid never does go away but I have 3 publications, 2 first author now so it’s really just imposter syndrome

[@wietskejanse5951]

Still absolutely elated for you that you finally get to chase your dream. Keep it up Dan!

[@anastasiachondrali7692]

YAY FOR JOYOUS EXCITED DAN! 🥹🥹

[@lillithhickling7657]

So glad to hear it’s all going well! So excited for you going on this journey. Also, if you actually wanted to find one of those old school zip up pencil cases, I would recommend checking the stationary sections of big supermarkets!

[@m1ssw1z61]

When you first mentioned sight reading, I thought you were referring to sight reading sheet music which was the absolute BANE of my singing exams 😂

[@duck6100]

I also had to do this in my violin exam and honestly pure guesswork on my part. The sight reading the violin music was fine but then I had to sight sing??? Really hard when you’re not trained as a singer lol

[@MiriLikesYoutubing]

This is a joy to watch. So lovely seeing you thriving 😊

[@mariluzgil-cervantes1030]

In my experience every day of drama school feels like a very useful wanky stereotype. I wish I had kept a list of all the things that count as homework when you’re at drama school, but you still have a chance to!

[@eliontheinternet3298]

I am HEARTBROKEN about the pastel pens. I hope you find some that are truly pastel!!

[@HappyKatRocks]

this hit me right in the feels today as I've just moved to a new continent to start my PhD. Love your mantra, I'm taking it with me.

[@charliepope7657]

i spied that cheeky little caroline mcquiston cameo ;) love her!!

[@anomalily]

I have negative 1000 desire to do acting school but I love seeing people excited about things they love! These vlogs are great and hope you can keep it up on top of all the work

[@DanLayton]

I absolutely will try!!! I think what I’m hoping is that through me just going for the thing I love full throttle, it’ll make people be curious about following their own. Whatever that is, even as far away from musical theatre as it might be!

[@anomalily]

@@DanLaytonalso I am a radio newsreader and I totally know what you mean about the sight reading! It’s the only thing I know how to do from this 😂

[@charliepope7657]

this was just bloody excellent tbh. so excited to see the progress you've made so far, and so excited to see where this will bring you!! :)

[@kitreadsbooks7718]

So happy for you and hearing you talk about the course with such passion is lovely :)

[@brogantatexo]

So lovely to hear how your first few weeks have been! 😀

[@DanLayton]

Having a BLAST!!

[@lucylaura4732]

I’ve just started a foundation in art and I’m loving our timelines being so similar. Also just commenting for the engagement! Great video ❤️

[@skylermegan4125]

LOVE this! Would like to add that if your course is physical papers and writing heavy, acquire a binder and tabs, they will save you and your brain when it comes to course work! Unsure if your MA works like this though, mine was in English, so notes galore 😂

[@CaityLouise85]

I’ve been so looking forward to hearing how you’re getting on! So so glad it’s going well and you feel like you’re where you’re meant to be 🧡🧡🧡

[@kyliesparks1435]

Watching this has made me so happy

[@kyliesparks1435]

Also the Dame Judy Bench lmaooooo

[@claremarie2652]

This was lovely. So happy for you and rooting for you! 🫶🏻

[@KottaKitty]

Really happy for you Dan, keep it up ☺️

[@MsMoem]

Bravo!! You're exactly where you belong!! Good stuff. ✨🎈🎉🔥🌈

[@Ratmo_beewee]

Danny J makes the sadness go away I’m sorry

[@ToddM-oj8uf]

I may have come hear because of the wrestling originally, now I'm just staying for the positivity...you got this!

[@RachelWolfe]

been rooting through my podcast folder and just wanted to know when the return of Man Time will come now you're back in school :) proud of you, keep killing it

[@madeleinem3801]

I've just started a master's in london too, but in environmental psych, and it's been amazing but hard! I obviously knew in theory that it would be more difficult than an undegrad but didn't expect it to be so much so soon (a 2hour commute doesn't help😅). I've doubted myself so much in the last two weeks since starting but I know the more I show up the more I prove to myself I'm meant to be here and I can do it🩵🩵. I've been feeling alone in the fact that I've found it quite overwhelming and exhausting so thank you for sharing your experience!

[@MissReevsy]

Proud of you buddy, excited to see more!!!😊

[@scribblerat9083]

Looking forward to watching this after work! :D

[@pietromoviesnl]

I think the Bic Cristal pen is objectively the best pen ever. Fight me.

[@CelestialTown_]

while a good pen, I absolutely swear by the Stabilo Pointball M 0.5, it's the most incredible pen to write with and every other pen is ruined because it's just that good

[@DanLayton]

Love this discourse 🙏🏻

[@CulturePhilter]

Similar to your 90s Ballet story I did tap dance classes as a primary school kid in the early 90s but quit before secondary school to avoid the bullying if anyone found out.

[@KurtesolWafelosi]

You're doing it. Good job!

[@Charlotte-hv6ll]

I'm so excited and happy for you!

[@scribblerat9083]

Oh man I'm so happy and excited for you! 🎉

[@acelili]

Absolutely fucking loved this. Lovely.

[@ellaisonline]

I have the exact same highlighters, I absolutely agree.

[@Jake__Rose]

You’ve made me a very proud father. I look forward to your Oscars speech.

[@TaraFlanaganUK]

Watching this *painfully* sipping my tea in bed, nodding my head in agreement with EVERYTHING you've said and missing being there with you lot !!

[@stacker63]

so so happy for you dan!! so epic!

[@diamondbandit8385]

I am so happy I've started uni at the same point as you Dan, albeit I'm doing a bachelors. Good luck 🎉

[@prettyhopemachine]

omggggg im so excited for you

[@pouredoutmywindow]

If you can and you like, overnight oats for brekkie and a salad/wrap for lunch YOU WONT REGRET!

[@pretsal4955]

Dan Layton pogchamp

[@uri65]

vinted for the can of 7up pencil case!!! they have LOADS

[@notanimposter]

Yes yes, we're all excited about drama school, but can we get a full length video about the chairs?

[@jw844]

Totally! Though also I think the first month (and last month) are always the most exhausting from my masters exp

[@dovestone_]

Found out my cat has to be put down today Thank you for posting and making everything feel a bit more normal 💗💗💗

[@DanLayton]

I’m sorry to hear that but glad I could be there in video form when you needed it 💚 Go gentle with yourself for a while.

[@dovestone_]

@@DanLayton thank you so much 💗

[@hayleyyjayne]

remember seeing it was your freshers week the same it was mine :)

[@scribblerat9083]

Heck yeah student discount!

[@ciaolife]

I did the same thing with those "pastel" pens 😭

[@iszzyisthequeen]

I wouldn't write on scripts in pen (incase your blocking or direction changes, I would recommend the friction pens as an alternative that work really well)

[@adelecaroline3614]

I'm so upset about the imposter pastel pens

[@DanLayton]

It broke me for a good twenty minutes

[@adelecaroline3614]

@@DanLayton but he prevails!

[@anomalily]

I saw him hold them up and immediately thought “I thought those have black ink” and was sad when confirmed

[@adelecaroline3614]

@@anomalily do they at least write nicely?

[@lianamaciovan57]

I’m so happy to hear you’re enjoying yourself and that it’s shaping up to be everything you wanted ❤ do you deal with impostor syndrome, and if so, how? (Struggling with it atm 😢)

[@DanLayton]

I do deal with it!! But I think the honest answer is so do 90% of people, and the other 10% have their own hang ups elsewhere. So it’s about managing that little voice. My teachers say that I shouldn’t ignore it, instead just respond to it. “Yes, alright, I can hear you, and I might fall flat on my face, but that’s okay, let’s just see what happens shall we”. It’s a work in progress for me, but I like it!

[@alexfido2935]

WHY the fuck you don't have a podcast with Chloe where you discuss this at length, I'll never know. I could listen to hours upon hours of you two.