Dear Future Students

Dear future O’More Fashion students,

First off, congratulations on your acceptance to the O’More College of Architecture and Design! I am a Junior and I have learned a few things that I wish I would have known when I started. 

The number one thing I would tell future students is that all of your major classes are a huge time and money commitment. I underestimated the out-of-pocket money I would be spending, primarily on my Draping, Construction, and Studio classes. Fabric and materials are not cheap. You will spend the most money in your first couple of semesters when you buy your sewing supplies. Your Adobe Suite subscription is also an investment, but it is a tool that you will be using for the rest of your career. I heavily recommend sitting down with your parents and talking about a budget for class materials. 

Secondly, I would like to set a realistic time commitment schedule for the studio and lab classes. I typically spend anywhere from 3-9 hours in the sewing lab a day. Juggling your gen-ed classes, major classes, and homework is challenging, but I promise you can do it all. 

Next, I would recommend learning how to use Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator before your Sophomore year. They are confusing programs at first and you will need to be well-versed in how to use them for your projects. You spend the entirety of Fashion Technology using Illustrator and the more you know before class, the better your grades and projects will be. YouTube is your best friend in regards to learning on your own.

Lastly, remember not to compare yourself to your classmates. Each one of you is a uniquely talented individual with incredible potential. Avoid trying to emulate someone else’s style or deign out of fear of standing out. Embrace your individuality, as it is what will set you apart as a designer.

Once again, congratulations on your acceptance to Belmont. I am so excited for your future and to see what kind of designer you are going to be!

Sincerely, 

Lauren Kelley