It’s 8:00 a.m.
Around this time, the average college student stumbles out of bed, rubs their tired eyes, and treads off to their early morning classes in nothing more than sweats and the t-shirt that they slept in. They then arrive at their classes, bleary-eyed and not quite ready to be a part of civilization just yet. Because of this, notes sometimes go untaken, lectures seem to blur together, and soon you’re getting a C in a class that you could easily be acing.
Most students would argue that this is because of the early wake-up call. There are dozens of studies that have been done to try to prove that students would do better if they just got an hour or more of sleep in the morning, and there may be some truth to this. However, what would you say if I told you that the main problem wasn't the alarm clock, but what you were wearing?
“Dress well, test well."
This is a theory that Carly Heltinger, author of the book “The Freshmen 50” believes in wholeheartedly.
“It ultimately shows you care,” said Heltinger, a Georgetown University graduate. “Most students at Georgetown dressed well everyday for class and it was definitely noticeable.”
It’s no secret that dressing well builds confidence and boosts self-esteem. I notice that I always feel much better about myself in a comfortable pair of jeans or a cute dress than I do in yesterday’s yoga pants. I feel more prepared for my day and more willing to greet the people that I meet with a smile rather than looking down at the sidewalk sleepily.
However, not only does it affect your outlook on life, it affects other people’s outlook on you, as well.
Tyler Teveroon, writer for the website Riskology, used to not think that it mattered all that much.
“I used to be a sloppy dresser,” Teveroon said. “I never liked that I had to dress a certain way to get the respect I thought I deserved or get people to listen to me. “What a sham!” I would tell myself. “People should respect me because I know what I’m talking about, not because I’m wearing expensive socks.” However, he experienced a change in heart one day at a bus stop.
“Years ago, I was on the bus headed to a friend’s house. I knew the neighborhood but wasn’t sure which stop to get off at.
The gentleman sitting next to me noticed me looking out the window every few seconds trying to get my bearings and asked if I needed help. I told him my predicament, and he confidently told me I should exit in two stops. I thanked him for the advice.
A moment later, another man standing in the aisle who’d heard my conversation leaned in and said, “Actually, you should get off at the next stop.”
I thanked him, hopped up, and exited just like he told me to, ignoring the advice of the first guy.
What was the difference between the two men? And why did I choose to listen to one and not the other?...The man in the aisle was dressed sharply. He looked like he was on his way home from work in a fancy office downtown. My seatmate was wearing sweatpants, had a dark stain on his t-shirt, and looked like he might have skipped showering that day.
In this moment, I realized just how many preconceived notions and stereotypes were built into my own assumptions of other people. Here I was complaining how people judged me by my clothes while I did the same to them—can I trust the instructions of someone who can’t be trusted to even keep food off his clothes?”
While we may not always have the same experience as Teveroon, the message is still the same. What we convey to our professors and others in the workforce is extremely important. Professors will most likely want to help the student who tries a little harder to look better for class than the one who shows up in pajama pants.
Sheena Amin, a writer for the Elite Daily website, also commented on the topic.
“I remember pulling all-nighters for my finals during college and sporting pajamas when taking exams the following day. I felt exhausted and did not waste any of my energy even getting ready, especially because it was exam day, and I couldn’t care less about what I wore.”
She then went on to say this:
“The following week, I found the motivation to look effortlessly put-together for once. Yes, I decided to dress my best so I could test my best; I took away thirty minutes of sleep and made an effort to look my best. And, honestly, I felt good because I looked good.
I was anxious, yet felt unstoppable going into my final. And, I ended up doing better on the final than the week before. Since then, I dress up more often – not for others, but for myself because it makes me feel optimistic, confident and just so good.”
College is rough. Let’s admit it. And sometimes, we can't find the motivation to throw on anything except a wrinkled t-shirt and whatever you find on your dorm room floor. However, I would like to challenge you to set the alarm and take maybe 20 or 30 minutes extra in the morning to look a little brighter.
Ways to make that just a little bit easier? Pick out your outfit the night before, shoes and undergarments included, so that you can just grab them off of the hanger and be ready to go. For women, take a shower in the evening so that there isn’t any time wasted drying hair in the morning. Have a treat waiting for you in the morning, such as your favorite snack or a chocolate muffin: something that will make you excited for waking up!
And, in the words of Sheena, “Remind yourself every single day that dressing your best isn't just a device of perception, but also a tool that affects your confidence. Plus, what do you have to lose?”
