Presenting yourself on campus:

Waking up and making yourself presentable for 8 a.m. class may seem like the hardest thing to do. Although it may mean that you need to wake up 15 minutes earlier than usual, putting more thought into what you are going to wear is important.

The Midwest is definitely not a place where everyone wears designer clothes, but choosing an outfit that shows that you actually put forth some effort is important for anyone, no matter where you live.  Looking presentable can help you leave a good impression on anyone you run into on campus.

Jeans may not be the most comfortable pants choice, but they are much more professional and stylish than sweatpants or leggings.  Wearing sweatpants to class may keep you warm and comfortable, but they also make it look like you are either going to the gym or taking a break from your movie marathon at home.  Dark wash straight or skinny jeans are always good options for both guys and girls to make you more presentable for the day.

Wearing leggings as pants is a serious fashion faux pas on campus.  Walking behind someone wearing leggings as pants is very uncomfortable because you can’t decide whether you should tell them that their underwear is showing or let them walk around campus and pay for their fashion mistake.

It is pretty inappropriate and unprofessional to show your undergarments in public, especially where you walk past hundreds of people.  Choosing skinny black jeans, yoga pants or other non-translucent pants are great alternatives.  You can also wear a longer top, such as a sweater or coat that covers up your butt, which will guarantee that you are not flashing everyone you come into contact with.

Taking the time to wash your hair and style it can be a royal pain, especially in the early hours of the morning, but throwing it up in a mess on the top of your head is no way to try and hide it.

If you don’t have the time to shower, using dry shampoo is a great way to still keep your hair clean and save yourself time in the morning. A messier braid, low ponytail or just keeping your hair down and putting a nice headband on are fast and easy hairstyles that will help you look more put together.

Shoe choice can always be hard to decide on. You need to think about practicality and comfort, while still thinking about what looks good on you. Tennis shoes, UGG boots, skateboard shoes, etc. are all shoes that should have been left in high school and are not professional. Some alternatives from these fashion footwear mistakes include ballet flats, Converse, Toms shoes or any other casual yet comfortable shoe. Shorter wedges or heels are great choices for a more professional look.

Putting a little more effort in the morning to make yourself presentable can help you make a better impression on your professor, wake you up so you can make it through your 8 a.m. class or simply help you not embarrass yourself.  Planning your outfit the night before will give you enough time to really think through what you are going to wear and will give you an extra half hour of sleep in the morning, which is something most students (or, at the very least, I) dream of.