We're all guilty of it.
The phrase "new semester, new me" seems to go without saying at the start of every fall or spring. For weeks 1 and 2, we plan out our nice outfits, accessories and shoes to go with the new shirt or sweater we bought over break.
We wake up extra early to do our hair and makeup, just to sit in class or walk to and from.
But to us, looking good is feeling good. Whether this means dressing cute, or wearing gym clothes to go workout and get into shape in, we get into this routine and prepare to conquer whatever the semester throws at us.
By week 3 or 4, we may begin to approach our first major academic deadline, if we haven't already.
Meaning, a project or test is in the near future. We start to alternate between leggings and a sweatshirt with a t-shirt underneath on an early morning, as a result of beginning the battle with our alarm clocks. But throwing on jeans and a nice shirt on days where we may sleep in a bit later is definitely possible. At this point our conscience is still telling us that there is a calm before the storm and that we should fight our urge to dress down until we really can't bear to dress to impress anymore.
Weeks 5-8 is the upward climb towards midterms, yet a downward spiral to our appearance goals.
Since these tests take place during class time, we have to balance the normal demand of workload with the dreary task of studying all at once. Do we add dressing up to this combination as well? Don't think so. Slippers, comfy shirts, and baggy pants to class it is.
As set up by the tone of midterm week, weeks 9-14 are also a blur.
It's the peak of the semester and lets be real, who wants to get all dolled up for an 8:30 AM class? We've pushed snooze on our alarm so many times, isn't it easier to just roll out of bed and grab whatever is in sight to wear at this point? We've run out of all our favorite outfit combos, and even those aren't suited for the constant weather change since our last dress up. Pure laziness has taken over. We're just grateful that we make it to class, so don't pay attention to what we may look like.
The last 2 weeks are crunch time.
Every spare minute that isn't spent sleeping or eating is spent studying, and sometimes those are sacrificed as well. The bags under our eyes aren't going away for a while, and should we bother to put our contact lenses in? Probably not, so go dig up your glasses. Time is running out in the semester, whether that be minimal time to get ready in the morning, study or even to buy coffee before class. Our final push to the finish line will occur, but perhaps in sweatpants or maybe even pajamas.
Sound about right?
