Freshman Fifteen
The 2 Scariest F-Words for Incoming Students: Here are 15 DO’S and DONT’S for Fashion Freshman.
I was a freshman (again) in September 2020. The first time? I was as an English major at Wilfrid Laurier University, with a minor in AEPI events. Long story short, after eight months of wasted time and one too many purple Jell-O shots, I made one of the easiest decisions of my life: I dropped out. I listed all my Golden Hawks merch on Poshmark before even soft launching my change of heart to my parents.
In subsequent posts, I’ll dive deeper into school applications, but for my first post, I want to keep it broad (and have a reason to title it 'Freshman Fifteen'). Although my freshman year was remote due to COVID, during that year—when I attended classes from my bed or bathtub—I quickly learned what would and wouldn’t fly in a small-knit, focused, post-secondary program.
Think of the attached video as a little time capsule: me, five years ago, like, talking about fashion school and like, literally all my early-day struggles. (Cringe, but necessary.) Starting a degree I was passionate about was a big wake-up call. As someone who would sacrifice their life for an extra 8 minutes of sleep, I figured out fast what I could and could not get away with. Whether you’re remote, in-person, inspired, or you use the phrase 'C’s get degrees… DO NOT do the following things."
DO NOT Ignore Deadlines. As straightforward as it sounds, it’s easy to receive a due date and brush it off. Assignments in fashion are content-heavy and require a lot of time to complete. Most professors want to see loads of process work, iterations, and, in many cases, quantity over quality. Ignoring deadlines leads to rushed work, which creates negative habits that are harder to break than a gym membership.
DO NOT Procrastinate. On the topic of not ignoring deadlines… DO NOT procrastinate. From tests and assignments to internship hunting and Capstone, procrastination hinders your ability to build strong habits that you’ll need in the workforce to pursue your career. Last-minute rushes ALWAYS lead to sloppy work and unnecessary stress, which your professors can and will 1000% pick up on.
DO NOT Take Bird Courses because they're “Easy.” As a victim of this mistake, I can tell you that it’s more trouble than it’s worth. Sure, you’ll boost your GPA, but at the end of the day, you’ll have wasted an entire semester learning something that won’t benefit your future. I would do anything to go back and challenge myself with courses that would’ve given me a leg up in my career.
DO NOT Ignore the BOF. As a fashion student, it’s easy to get caught up in tangible matters, but the Business of Fashion is just as, if not more, important. Creativity is key, but so is understanding behind-the-scenes topics like marketing, pricing, and brand-building. Ignoring these aspects will hurt your career later on. Especially if you want to start your own brand or work for a big company, knowing everything you can about the Business of Fashion will help you stand out from those who only excel creatively and not logically.
DO NOT be Afraid to Ask for Help. A lot of people think fashion is easy and that anyone can do it, but that’s not true. In such a competitive program, fashion students can feel pressured to know everything. Don’t be shy about asking for clarification or advice when needed. At the end of the day, you’d rather be known as someone who asks too many questions than someone who doesn’t ask enough.
These might seem like no-brainers, but being mindful to avoid them will set you up for success without unnecessary struggle. If you're like me and try to avoid mistakes at all costs, here are 10 simple things that, if I could go back in time, might have made my time in school just a bit easier.
Get Involved Early. Join clubs, organizations, and student fashion associations to build your network and gain practical experience. Early involvement can lead to valuable opportunities and connections in the industry. I went from class, straight home, and by graduation, I could clearly see the difference in the personal and professional networks of those who immersed themselves in everything the program had to offer.
Network with Professors. Building strong relationships with your professors can be invaluable for your future career. Their expertise and professional connections can open doors to internships, job opportunities, and valuable advice. During my four years in the program, I had one professor who consistently went above and beyond in his teaching. Today, he’s one of the most respected people in my professional network. By putting in the effort and excelling in his class, I demonstrated my commitment, and in return, he invests his time and energy into helping me succeed wherever he can.
Work on Your Portfolio Constantly. Regularly update and refine your portfolio—it’s your key tool for showcasing your skills and creativity to potential employers or clients. The portfolio you submit when you first start the program will only represent about 5% of what it will become by the time you graduate. Think of your portfolio as a living document that evolves over time. Many people use it not only to create a professional portfolio website but also for job applications and future projects.
Collaborate with Peers and Make Friends. Fashion thrives on community. Collaborating with your classmates not only enhances your learning but also helps build relationships that could turn into future partnerships or collaborations. Sometimes the fashion industry can be brutal. With constant criticism, fierce competition for jobs, and the pressure to stand out, it’s 10 times harder when you don’t have the support of your peers. Having people to work with, share ideas, and support each other can make all the difference.
Seek Internships & Work Experience. Whether paid or unpaid, internships offer valuable hands-on experience and help you build a professional network. Sure, you could take shortcuts or coast through just to check the box, but that’s not the way to go. If you half-ass your internship, you’ll set the tone for a half-assed career, which will lead to a pattern of atomic laziness and a lack of real growth or meaningful experience.
Find Good Study Spots on Campus. Identify quiet, comfortable spaces where you can focus on assignments. A productive study environment will help you stay organized and minimize distractions. For those times when I had gaps between classes, I had a spot for 'R&R’—it was quiet enough to study, comfortable enough to relax for a few hours, obviously located near food, and had the best wifi connection that didn’t f*** with my Netflix binges.
Build Your Personal Brand. Use social media, blogs, or personal websites to express your unique style and creative vision. A strong personal brand helps you stand out in a competitive industry. I was shocked at how everyone’s personalities were so diverse within such a small program. Everyone was so creative and expressed their own style in unique ways that naturally described their personal brands to anyone who encountered them. The moment I ended my unwavering loyalty to Aritzia, I became a changed woman.
Master the Basics. Ensure you have a solid foundation in the technical aspects of fashion (like sewing, pattern-making, and CAD). These skills are crucial for executing advanced designs and concepts. I learned what the Adobe Creative Cloud was on my first day of school. Most were already so skilled at the basics of the program that I immediately fell behind. As we worked through introductory projects, I realized I was at a disadvantage to those who had mastered the basics ahead of time.
Keep Track of Everything. Stay organized by keeping a detailed record of your projects, deadlines, and research. This will prevent missed assignments and help you manage multiple tasks efficiently. From weeks 1 to 12, it will feel like 1000 things are being thrown at you. If you don’t dedicate time to keep track of each task, deadline, and appointment, letting one slip could lead to a rabbit hole that will be extremely hard to crawl out of. (Luckily you came across a gorgeous, fake-blonde who makes templates you can download for FREE).
Go to Office Hours. Take advantage of professors’ office hours to clarify concepts, seek advice, or get feedback. Building a rapport with faculty can enhance your learning and professional growth. I, no word of a lie, went to office hours every single week for (almost) every class. Whether I needed to or not, this gave me a chance to build relationships with professors and gain clarification on things I didn’t even know I needed clarification on. In all honestly, if you’re getting weekly help, it would be pretty hard to do poorly unless you’re actively doing the opposite of what you’re told.
In the end, your freshman year in fashion is just the beginning of a long, exciting journey. If your hard work lands you a spot in a competitive, tight-knit fashion program, take a moment to appreciate it—because there are people out there who can only dream of being in your position. So remember, the only 'Freshman Fifteen' that’s really going to benefit you is the one you put into your hustle. Everyone thinks they’re hot sh*t in this industry, but at the end of the day, it’s not about who you are, or even where you come from (despite the secret envy I have for nepo babies); it’s about what you can become.