Let’s be honest, people are judgmental. The phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” no longer applies. In order to appear more professional and make a good first impression, students need to dress well.

When meeting someone new, you are either accepted or rejected in the first 10 seconds. The first thing people look at when they see you is what you are wearing. We only have one chance to make a first impression. A sharp dressed young man or woman creates a better impression than someone wearing tattered jeans that look like they were mauled by a bear or a ratty, sweat-stained t-shirt.

Dressing nice does not mean wearing a suit or tie everyday; it just means wearing clothing that fits your personality. Each person has his or her own style, and no matter what style, you should still try and look presentable to peers and adults.

I try and dress well every day because I know the importance of appearing presentable in the professional world. I figure that I will have to dress nicer as an adult, so I might as well start. When I put on certain clothes, I feel more confident because I like how they feel, fit and look. I notice during the day, I do better in school because of the confidence my clothes give me. As well as giving me confidence, I know people will not simply look at me and make a quick decision based on my looks.

Along with making a good first impression, dressing professionally makes you feel better about yourself. Comfy sweats and t-shirts can create a relaxed, I-don’t-care attitude. When you dress up, you project confidence, which people respond to positively. If your clothes are dirty or wrinkled, people may think you do not care enough about yourself. Then people may assume that if you do not care enough to dress nice, you will not work hard.

A good deal of communication is done non-verbally. Wearing things you like and look good in can bridge the gap between what you are talking about and how you project or promote yourself.