By Rebecca Ceccatelli, with the contribution of Armando Aureliano Sauzullo. Cover image by Asia Niero.

Doors open. It’s finally the First day of School. At the beginning of the academic year, we often find ourselves asking questions like “What should I wear on my first day?” or “Will I get lost while trying to find the school in this new city?”. However, starting this journey could be smoother if we helped each other out as fellow students and colleagues. 
New pupils are exploring the hallways of our Istituto Marangoni Firenze with a mix of nervousness and excitement. Navigating through the rooms could be quite easy for newcomers (word of a veteran), but the brochure for “day one”, with its orange-pink gradient, plays a crucial role in ensuring order among our new creative minds. Room 106 provides a glimpse into the Istituto’s approach to balancing heritage and innovation, while in Room 105, international students receive assistance with administrative issues. A quick visit to Art Room offers a chance to relax and have a photo taken by our student photographers. 

On the second and third floors, there are exhibits showcasing the works of previous years while future creators observe. However, nobody has mentioned what happens in Room 102. Should I call it the Q&A room? Or maybe the spill-your-gut room? Come and join our group discussions, all centred around “Am I the only one who thinks…?”.

First day of School: “you are not the only one who thinks”‘s check list

1. Am I the only one who thinks this town feels different?

“I left Milan because I constantly had gastritis,” Allegra joked as she explained her journey to Florence. She came here to Florence to complete her studies in Luxury Management, choosing “a city that fits her better.” “I need small bodegas where to spend an evening with friends and glasses of wine; the big clubs they took me to in Milan would frighten me.” 
Well, Allegra, all we can do is welcome you. You’re not the first today to tell us how intimidating it can be to move to a new city, dive in headfirst, make new friends, and find your way around local streets and cultures. At the same time, something we veterans can all assure you of is that “it’s easy to make Florence feel like home”, as Anja said. Learning what to do, how to move around town, and what to eat will feel easier than expected, we promise.

2. Am I the only one who thinks it’s so cosy to enter this school?

“It feels like travelling the world while staying in the same spot”, answered Maria from the Master’s in Fashion and Luxury Brand Management when asked how it felt to encounter and engage in this new environment. Internationality is one of the strongest aspects of our community, bringing together diverse perspectives and viewpoints stemming from diverse backgrounds. This convergence forms a rich tapestry woven from a multitude of experiences and lives that meet and ignite new, original ideas. In this vibrant environment, you’ll quickly sense a strong community spirit. Cooperation and synergy unite artists with designers, fragrance programmes with pattern-making courses, attracting people from all over the world bound by a shared passion to our Florentine building.

3. Am I the only one who thinks creative freedom can be scary?

“I’ve been a shoe designer for a while, but now I want to focus on creating art and fashion only for the sake of it rather than being so business-oriented. I want to fall in love with learning again.” Bella passionately expressed her desire to return to the genuine and fundamental concept of being creative. “How much freedom do you have in creating your projects?” is a question that subtly hints at her fear of being judged or evaluated. Not all advice will apply to everyone’s unique experiences, but one thing is certain: when we told Bella that tutors often give students the freedom to fill in blank spaces in their projects, her face instantly relaxed. The key takeaway here is that if you want to explore your true self, you need to allow it to develop without constraints. Limits should be avoided as much as possible!

4. Am I the only one who thinks it can be scary to choose only one path?

What if, after starting in Fashion Design, we realise that our true passion lies in Multimedia Arts? This is Benedetta’s story. She will begin her Multimedia Arts programme after exploring various fields that didn’t seem to fit her personality. But her story is not unique. The typical question the Career Service asks is always, “Do you feel more like the artist or the one who supports the artist?” when students are undecided between undergraduate courses in Arts Curating and Multimedia Arts. While it was easy for me to answer, for some, it may not be easy to define themselves on the spot. 
So yes, we understand the confusion that can arise when choosing a programme at the start of an academic journey. We hope you’ve finally found your calling! If not, life is too short to do things we don’t enjoy, and there’s always time to take a different path and change direction! Embrace your first day of School without any clouds.