First Day Of School 2021 // Kent State University

Happy last first day of school in the United States! Yep, you read that right… my college experience is taking a bit of a turn this year. Actually, it’s turning out quite different than freshman year me intended.

In August of 2019, I started my freshman year of college at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. I moved 300 miles from home, living with three girls I met through Facebook in Centennial A. I began as a double major in Fashion Merchandising and Journalism with a burning desire to work for a fashion magazine post-grad.

Although I loved my Journalism classes and felt so passionate about writing, six months into the year I dropped my second major. Keeping it would mean I’d be at Kent two whole extra years. And while I love the school, I knew it didn’t make sense to continue on that path. Instead, I took on a minor in Fashion Media, exposing me to fashion journalism, social media, and content creation on a professional scale. I love it just as much, if not more.

In March, I was sent home for Covid and finished the semester online from my childhood bedroom in Maryland.

In August of 2020, I moved back to Kent, this time living in my sorority house, the Alpha Phi “mansh”. My entire school year was delivered remotely due to Covid but I loved it. It gave me the freedom to pursue my brand full time and my days more flexibility. In May, I sat down with my advisor to discuss my study abroad plans.

It is required to study abroad as a Fashion Merchandising student at Kent and I’d originally intended on spending my Fall 2021 semester in Florence, Italy. However, at this meeting, my advisor also informed me that I had enough credits to graduate a semester early. We talked and decided that between my class schedule and the ever-changing Covid regulations, it would be best for me to push my study abroad to Fall of 2022, instead.

So, that’s what we did. I finished the year off strong and moved home for the summer to spend time with family. I traveled, created content, and fell more in love with my job than ever before.

freshman to “seniors” together 

Two weeks ago, I packed up my car one last time and drove to Kent. This year, I’m living in an off-campus apartment with three of my best friends. Two of them, Olivia and Lauren, are my original roommates from freshman year. Krista is another friend who makes our fourth.

I truly believe that God’s timing is everything—it turns out Olivia and Lauren would also be graduating a semester early. With all three of us being Fashion Merchandising majors, it worked in our favor that the three of us will get to be in Florence, Italy together next fall. And yes, we will live together then too.

I’m thrilled for all of the photos, vlogs, and culture that will come with this trip. I’m excited to see our friendship flourish and the ways in which my life will change.

This school year is obviously still a bit impaired due to Covid. Although I am vaccinated and so are most of my peers, we are still delivering classes asynchronously. I am taking a full 16 credit hours— Product Development, Professional Seminar, Planning & Buying, Fashion Forecasting, and Computer Applications.

Two of them are delivered in person on Tuesdays and the rest are online on Thursdays. The stacked schedule works fantastic for me. I’m thrilled to see people in person for a bit, but am also grateful to have most of the days to myself. I work so well at my own pace.

But first, I’m soaking up every second of my final year in Kent. This place, these people, this town… it’s home away from home. And I thank God every day for friends that feel like family.

Now, enough sappy life update stuff, let’s talk about what I wore my first day back to school. I’m a go big or go home kind of girl so naturally, I went with a denim jumpsuit. I wore a jumpsuit on my last day of high school so it only felt right to continue the tradition.

This is a recent Windsor find. It’s got a cute, v-neckline and a lace-up back that’s adorable. The pockets have a retro feel to them and these pant legs are super long. To combat them, I popped on a pair of tall Franco Sarto booties. I just got these last week and have already worn them a handful of times. I’m obsessed! Although these are a few inches tall, they are seriously so comfortable. With a taller shaft, they look incredible with dresses and skirts too.

You know I have to pull that color back in somewhere. Usually, I’d go with a purse or a fun pair of earrings but this time around I opted for a hat. I have a few felt hats from Lack of Color and they complete every outfit beautifully. With gold hoops, a few rings, and my usual everyday bracelets this outfit came together just as I had hoped.

Of course, we had to trek out to the fashion school to snap some first day photos. It only felt right. (Plus we owed our moms the obligatory first day of school photos, lol)

Anywho, that’s a wrap on life lately. I’m uploading Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun to YouTube and am sharing far more of my personal, college life there. If you’re interested in hearing more of this good stuff, that’s probably you’re best bet. I’m trying my best to keep up with you on all platforms but I’m only human.

Love you all so very much and am gateful every day to share these moments with you. Special shoutout to those who have been here since the day I chose to attend Kent. You know who you are. With love, McKenz

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