Photo from brd.hilliardschools.org
Hats, sunglasses, oversized sweatshirts and those fateful messy up-do’s — it is exam time and students have adopted traditional methods of hiding sleepless eyes and the fact they haven’t showered in 24 hours.
Although for some this is the norm, there are always “those kids” who come to midterms put together, well-rested and smiling nonchalantly with overconfidence that makes everyone else sick. These overachievers are bane of groggy college students’ existence, they may be onto something.
Studies have shown that dressing for success can help in business, so why not school too?
Shannon Goff, a senior English major, says, “I try to look decent or somewhat put together but I don’t dress any better on test days than I would any other day.”
Anna Kobetz, a senior marketing major stated that when she feels confident about an exam, she will dress up.
“But it also depends if I pulled an all nighter,” she said. “I will shower but I won’t dress up.”
Students can be seen wearing anything from business suits to pajamas during exam season. Mitch Giller, also a business student, says, “I won’t wear a shirt and tie, but I will not wear sweatpants. It gets me into a productive mindset.”
Students seem to agree that it is all about confidence when walking in exams and wearing certain clothes can help maintain that frame of mind. Senior criminology major Jacqueline Studley says that if she has time, she will put in the extra effort to look put-together on exam day.
“I like to look presentable during my exams,” she said. “I do not want to show up looking like a hot mess, then I just feel unprepared.”
Exam days are stressful, especially after late night study sessions and caffeine binges. As long as you’re not wearing pajamas to your class, I think it is safe to say that looking at least semi-presentable is always a must.
