Thanksgiving break is always a tease because right after, finals hit and that always throws collegiettes off guard. Stress will rack your very being while you’re trying to make your last impression – with a test or presentation – in your classes. At the time, being fashionable is far below the list of priorities for me, and it might be the same for some of you. How can you afford to lose 5 minutes attempting to look for an outfit when you could be using it to study for your calculus and English finals? But no worries! You may be busy, but you can still look good while doing it. It just takes some planning. No sweat right?
Plan your essentials:
Turn to the basics to put together your outfits for finals week. That can consist of:
- Jeans – Jeans come in every fit and wash and you might be surprised if you dug behind those cute dresses in your closet and retrieved a pair of your beloved but forgotten pair of jeans. Gather a few together if you want to dress up your outfit a bit more and keep it classy.
- Sweats – An alternative to jeans is sweats. Even better, places like Target sell cute pairs at an affordable price (LuluLemon will always be a favorite, check them out!). They’re stretchy, comfortable, come in a variety of colors and can be your best friend!
- Basic t-shirts/tanks – In a hurry? These come in many colors and easily compliment any outfit if simply paired with a soft cardigan, jeans, and sneakers/boots.
- Cardigans – I have a favorite few in basic colors such as navy and cream. Especially in December when it gets quite chilly, they can be an essential layering piece.
- Easy shoes – By easy, I mean comfortable. Forget those raging heels for a second (leave ‘em for the holidays or a party!) and turn to your trusty flat boots, ballet flats and sneakers. If you’re too lazy to tie any strings…hello slip-ons!
Need to keep awake?
Stay away from those sweats! It may be furiously tempting to wake up and roll out of bed in your pajamas, but try not too! While walking into your exam, you may be comfortable…but just wait until you fall into your seat. Putting on a pair of jeans will be a cute excuse to wake you up! While you’re reading this, you may be spitefully cursing at me over the computer screen (IS SHE CRAZY?!), but just try it. Come on girl.
Keep it simple with hair and makeup.
Make it easier on yourself by keeping it natural and simple. There’s no use in doing an elaborate smokey eye when you have the holidays to showcase your new makeup skills. Take this time to decrease the pile of stress you already have on yourself. Remember the 5-10 minute rule? Yeah, it’s going to be time to implement that!
Makeup – Look presentable by putting on some sunscreen or tinted moisturizer (with SPF! Protect your skin please), peachy pink blush, mascara and chapstick (colored, minty, whatever you favor).
Hair – Skip that four-strand braid that you haven’t yet mastered. You most likely will want to keep your hair out of face during a test, so bring along hair ties (not enough to cut off the circulation in your arm). Your full concentration should be at the task ahead for the next couple of hours.
Most importantly, what you wear is not as important as your performance during exam week. There’s no need to stress out about it because once you walk out of the room smiling – because you did well of course! – that smile will be prettier than any outfit. Good luck with finals and don’t go bananas!
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