Once you’ve left the confines of school and entered the world of varsity, you probably were pretty relieved to shed those formal uniforms. Welcome to the world of wearing whatever you want and being happy doing so.
But, did you know there are actual benefits to dressing comfortably to attend your classes? Let’s take a look at how your choice of attire can benefit – or hinder you.
Benefits of Formal Clothing
Whilst they aren’t always the most comfortable, formal clothing does have certain advantages in an educational environment.
As opposed to dressing comfortably, dressing formally makes you feel like you’re actually in class or at work, making you take the current task seriously. It’s easier to focus on academics if you aren’t always worrying about what to wear before class.
So, there’s that.
Benefits of Comfortable Clothing
It may surprise you to learn that comfortable clothing for students goes far beyind just the “comfort” factor.
Apart from feeling more comfortable, dressing comfortably can make you feel more confident.
Studies have surprised many by proving that the clothing students wear during an exam affects their understanding and performance. The more formal the clothing, the lower the comfort rating, and the lower the exam score. The converse proved true with higher scores achieved with more comfortable attire, which points to a clear link between clothing comfort and mental performance.
Further, it’s been shown that donning tight, scratchy or uncomfortable clothing can worsen your mood, increase your stress levels and feelings of self-consciousness.
What You Should Look Out For
Yes, being comfortable is the goal, but being a slob isn’t. You still want to look presentable whilst dressing comfortably. You may feel like your pyjamas are comfortable, but they aren’t appropriate in a university setting unless it’s “Pyjama Day”.
Having respect for yourself and your school to dress well whilst also being comfortable is very important for a student, and you may find your classes to not be as boring or difficult as before.
Finding the line between being comfortable and looking presentable and being comfortable and looking homeless may be challenging. But once you find that balance, you’ll find your university life a bit more bearable.