As you walk through the hallways, there will be many sights of students wearing sweatpants and hoodies, rather than traditional school attire. It has become the new “norm” for school outfits to be more “casual” or “relaxed.” But, is it widely accepted and appropriate for school?
From personal experience, I have worn sweatpants at least ten times this school year. They are comfortable, and most of the time students want to be able to be cozy at school when learning. Although I am a victim of dressing “lazily” for school, I want to partly change that. I believe that sometimes when students dress in “sweats,” or often clothes they had worn to bed the night before, productivity levels can decrease. Getting dressed for school in the morning in something somewhat uncomfortable can help a student be more awake. Even showering or washing their face in the morning can help a student be more attentive at school. At times, I find myself struggling to stay awake in my morning classes because of what I am wearing. If I take time to get ready and put on something nicer, I can tell when I am more focused and attaining more information provided by my teachers. Wearing jeans or other rigid pants can also help maintain posture of students, increasing their focus.
Teachers, Administrators and even fellow students have seen a decline in students attending school and productivity. With the rise of AI technology, students have been more inclined to use it to their advantage and cheat. AI technology has made it even easier for students to be lazy and unmotivated to do their work when someone can do it for them. In a 2024 study done by the Pew Research Center, 24 percent of students in grades 11 through 12 say they have used ChatGPT to help with their school work. AI technology sites, like ChatGPT, are easily accessible to many students. They can complete math problems, write essays and responses and even create art. AI technology ultimately forces students to be “lazy,” which goes along with the idea of dressing down for school. Wearing something that makes a student feel unmotivated, can affect their energy to do things.
Overall, school attire and productivity can have a strong correlation with each other. Being able to dress more appropriately and fancier for school can make students more motivated to pay attention during class and maintain integrity in their work. It may be more convenient to wear what you wore to bed the night before, but being able to actively participate in school can help a student in the long run.
