Look Good Feel Good
With the popularity of streetwear in full force this past year, lazy styling has become the new effortless—especially when it comes to what to wear to class.
The “I-just-rolled-out-of-bed” look is in and requires little to no effort. Without so much as changing out of last night’s crop top, you can appear prepared for a day of learning.
While this may be a Godsend for some, lazy styling is likely to affect your performance (and the likelihood of staying awake) in class.
Hear me out: I wholeheartedly appreciate the comfortability that comes with your favorite pair of ratty old sweatpants, some worn in Adidas and an oversized t-shirt—what’s not to love?
I’ll tell you what—doing the bare minimum in class merely because you’re a little too cozy.
This is where the phrase “Look good, feel good,” comes to mind: if you want to see improvement in your in-class performance, dress to impress (yourself). In other words, wear that cute pair of shoes you feel are a little over the top for your 9 am Biology lecture, throw on your favorite bell bottom jeans and belt combo for discussion, and do not fear that chiffon blouse when it comes to your club meetings.
It’s a psychological fact: our situation (i.e., our immediate cultural and physical surroundings) is practically always affecting our mentality. Waking up twenty minutes before class while wearing your torn up sweatpants and last year’s Greek Week shirt only puts your brain in the mindset that it’s time to relax and chill. Not to mention the odds of you feeling self-conscious and your self-confidence being lower than usual are all the more likely.
On the other hand, waking up with time to shower, have breakfast, and piece together a look that makes you feel confident and put together, signals to your brain that it's going time. You’re more likely to stay alert and participate in class.
With confidence comes motivation, and with motivation comes a desire to excel and greater focus.
Throwing on some leggings and a baggy sweatshirt, I feel anything but ready to take on six hours of class and god knows how many hours of homework. So, I’ve made a near-end-of-year resolution to take that extra 30 minutes at the beginning of my day to make myself look good, and thus feel good. I urge my fellow students to try this as well and see how much better you feel! A little bit goes a long way.
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Isabelle Roshko