I am a fashion marketing and management major and I am going into my junior/senior year (as I am graduating early). SCAD has been an incredible experience for me; the professors, classes and students all create an environment for you to succeed. However, that is just the bare minimum and there is so much more you can do during your time at SCAD that will help you succeed in the future.
1. Compete
Competing might sound very scary, but it is the best way to learn. There are so many competitions out there for every major that give recognition and scholarship money. The reason I encourage competing while at SCAD is because you have access to so many resources. Every competition that I have competed in I have had a professor who worked with me very closely and provided so much feedback. They have connected with other professors and alumni to help me out in whatever way I needed. The daunting nature of the competitions was reduced because I could always communicate with them and they were always ready to help.
2. Get to know your professors
Speaking of how great professors are, it is important to build connections with them. Most of the professors at SCAD have worked in the industry and have so many connections. They can provide guidance in what to do next in your career or provide you with connections. The best way I do this is to be an active participant in all class discussions, go to office hours, talk to the professor before and after class, and email them when I have questions and concerns.
3. Make friends with other majors
SCAD is the best for so many majors and all the students are so incredibly talented. In your first and second year, you are going to be in classes that will be attended by many different majors. Take this opportunity to become friends with students who are outside your major. Since SCAD is a small school, as you advance in your major, you tend to see the same people in all your classes. That is why it is important to make friends with other majors whenever the opportunity presents itself. I have learned so much from other majors and this serves as a networking opportunity for when you graduate. You might be a film director who needs a costume designer and this way you can reach out to old peers.
4. Use all the services
SCAD does a great job in trying to help us in whatever they can. They have tutoring for most subjects, a writing center, a career center, SCADamp and so much more. Tutoring is great if you are maybe a film major but have to take a drawing class. I really struggled in my foundation drawing class but the tutoring center helped me get an A. I use the writing center for my big papers because they proofread them and give me very beneficial feedback. The career center has been so helpful in creating an impactful resume for me. These resources are available to help us succeed, so let us use them!
These are just a few things you can do to make the most of your time at SCAD. Our tuition is going towards all these services and it is important to make use of them to have the best outcome out of our college experience. College is so much more than just attending class and one of the main reasons we all chose this institution is to be given incredible opportunities and resources. Our university also has incredible professors and talented students, and this is the easiest way for us to network with such a huge body of talent and knowledge.