Contrary to popular belief, ballet isn't solely shaped by tutus, delicate girls or tiaras. Studying ballet, or dance in general, is a combination of sweat, long hours and trail and error. In order to improve technique and artistry, one spends long hours in class multiple days a week.

Even though every dancer is different, I have come to realize that there is a specific pattern as to how a ballet class will play out.

You walk into the studio and see all your friends for the first time since the night before.

Twenty four hours is a long time.

As you go to take your normal spot at the barre, you realize someone is standing there.

The teacher throws out a confusing combination and you and your friend completely miss it.

This happens for basically all of the combinations.

Ronds de jambe, fondus and développés all make you want to cry.

Just when you think it's time for center, the teacher says, "Leg on the barre. Stretch."

Then your fifty-three year old teacher lays on the floor and brings her leg next to her ear to stretch.

While you can barely do a split.

Finally it's time for center and all of your energy comes rushing back.

If petit allegro isn't hard enough, you're asked to reverse it and the world begins to crumble at your feet.

While doing pirouettes, you're stuck at a double while your friend is whipping out five turns, no problem.

The teacher blesses you with a grand allegro combination, full of all your favorite steps.

Then she asks for thirty-two fouettes when you're clearly out of breath.

Somehow, you squeak them out and feel invincible.

But you mess up the landing so it's as if none of the turns even mattered.

As you take your reverence (bows), you resist the urge to collapse onto the floor.

Even though the class was a roller coaster of emotions, you'll still come back and do it all tomorrow.