It’s another day checking your Ryerson Portal. You think today will be like any other, but you’ve received the unexpected acceptance email into Ryerson’s Fashion Program! While you jump for joy and reward yourself with shopping (Fashion School, after all) it’s vital to realize that being a fashion student requires more than impeccable style and knowing Alexander Wang’s latest collection. I was a first year RU fashion student, and in the midst of my stress and creative pressure, I thought about all the things I wished I would have known beyond what the School of Fashion manuals told me. Hence, I conjured up of the top six things that a new Ryerson Fashion Student should absolutely know for first year. The freshman stage of Ryerson Fashion will not be easy, but with this mini guide, it can make your transition a tad smoother.
1. Expect to Spend Money on Supplies
While I expected to purchase textbooks, I never knew I had to purchase such an expensive supply kit. This kit that I speak of will literally become your life force (ask any fashion student). It contains the basic materials needed for all your projects for the first year, and yes, the price made me cringe (700$!) but personally, I’m glad I bought it. However, note to self: don’t believe once this purchase has been purchased you’ll be good to go for the rest of the year. On top of the kit, there are extra art supplies for projects, the multitude of trips to Copyrite printing centre, and fabric purchases for your final dress. The best part about the kit is that you are able to break up the 700$ purchase into four separate purchases. Each of the kits is specifically designed for illustration, pattern drafting, sewing, and design/colour theory. There is no need to buy all on the first day, but I suggest having them all bought by the second week of classes. If you are a commuter try and sign up for a locker and keep your kits inside! Theres nothing worse than having to carry the kits back and forth, especially considering how heavy they are.
2. Perfection Shall be your Worst Enemy
As fashion students, I guarantee a majority of us are guilty of being perfectionists. While it is good to strive to do your absolute best, having a dozen or so projects on the go and trying to maintain your sanity can take a toll. I remember one of the earlier projects was our Single Stroke Vertical Lettering assignment, where you had to hand-drawn a perfect alphabet (harder than it sounds). I spent hours trying to make it to my standards, but in reality, I realized I wasted a lot of time on it. I recommend highly to learn how to prioritize your workload on those projects that are worth a lot and those that are a scratch on the surface. It’s the difference between sleep and no sleep. Although you may start to wonder why you some of these projects are necessary, trust me when I say the profs have thought everything through and these minor projects are the building blocks of major skills you will need to master later on.
3. First Semester Overdrive
I’ll be blunt, your first semester will be hard. Very hard. And extremely overwhelming. You will feel like you have no time to finish anything, and once you finish one project that you’ve spent all your time on, another one is already the next day. People don’t often realize it but the workload of a RU fashion student is a lot, in fact being one of the most intense programs at the University. You will be staying up late for countless nights mixed with the guarantee of a few all nighters. Even though this may sound intimidating, everyone is in the same boat and I guarantee that you can do it! You’ll learn early on that your year becomes like a family. We’re all in this together, and even as cliche as this may sound, lend a hand where you can–sticking together pays off big time in the long run.
4. To All Comm Students: Sorry, You Gotta Sew
I remember reading a post on Stylecicle’s website about communication students sewing in their first year, and having some experience sewing, I thought I could handle it. Sheesh, now looking back, I’m glad I knew the basic mechanics. Even though you are taught on industrial sewing machines, having the basic knowledge of sewing can go a long way. Expect late nights in the sewing lab when trying to get your garments done. Thankfully, you’ll rarely be working alone, and the thought of having a friend nearby to help will get you through. And take it from me–nothing beats the satisfaction of trimming your threads after completing a garment.
5. The Struggles of Working
If you have a part time job, I suggest considering cutting down your hours–at least for first semester. This program requires a lot of your time to work on projects outside of the classroom, and if you fill your time with work, then it’s going to be harder to get school stuff done. That being said, you can always balance your workload and job by strategizing your time or if need be taking a smaller course load (this is very common).
6. Opportunities at Their Finest
RU does a great job on keeping you informed and giving you lots of notice on new interning opportunities. You are constantly flooded with emails about potential internships with designers, brands, magazines, fashion events that are happening at school and in Toronto, and so much more. It’s the constant wave that makes sure you are in the know, because the fashion industry is one giant social circle.
Even though I’ve touched on some of the more difficult aspects of the program, I’ve never once regretted my decision to enrol in the fashion program at Ryerson University.
Becoming a RU Fashion Student has been the one of the most exhilarating, life-changing things that has ever happened to me. It has opened my eyes to how I truly want to live my life, and I’ve learned that in order to achieve your dreams you must put good old hard work into it to make them soar. I’ve met so many wonderful people – students, teachers and industry people alike – it makes me excited to know I am part of this world, and will continue to learn the ups and downs of the fashion industry.
So kudos to you RU freshman fashion students. You’re going to have one heck of a ride.
StyleCircle is always here to help! If you need any advice or have any questions at all feel free to send us an email to www.stylecircle.org. Our team is full of students from different years and both programs that are more then happy to help.
