Fashion and Exams.

Exams: A test or an examination (or "exam") is an assessment, often administered on paper or on the computer, intended to measure the test-takers' or respondents' (often a student) knowledge, skills, aptitudes, or classification in many other topics.


I'm taking my half-hour break (just finished going through Mathematics revision) before continuing on to Business and Management revision and I've decided to write a post on the exams. My friend today suggested I posted one on what to wear when taking one. 
I figured this would be an interesting post as people would usually dress up more for comfortable than for functionality. So here are some tips:


1. Be comfortable, but get out of your pyjamas.

"mmm. Just ran out to get some Starbucks but couldn't be bothered to get changed out of my comfies."

It's all too common for people to dress in sweats and uggs before taking their exams. Why? Because they're comfortable of course. I get it, sitting 2-3 hours at one time writing about stuff like MATH and HISTORY could be a little uncomfortable but why is this a not-so-good idea? Because you'll feel like you're going back to bed. But you're not. You're taking your exams.
So dress comfortably but get out of your comfort clothes! It will only make you feel too relaxed and like you just got out of bed. Trust me you don't want to feel like this. An alternative could be a pair of comfy jeans and a top (whether it be a shirt or a tank). Pair an outerwear with this outfit so you can easily get warmer or cooler whenever you feel. 

Rachel Bilson knows how to take her exams. Professional and casual.

Since it's getting cooler where I am, a jacket or blazer could be nice as they will keep you warm as well as provide the flexibility in movement (on your arms - you'll be writing). Don't wear big coats or anything, it'll be too much of a hassle.


2. Get those hair out of your face. Nicely.
Stress + bad weather + hand on forehead constantly + TAKING YOUR EXAMS = hair in your face/sticking on your forehead/oily/sweaty/you get the point. Don't just stick on a headband and go (well I guess you could, but what's the harm in looking nice?). Also headbands give you headaches, and aches behind your ears due to the pressure on them. It's uncomfortable.
I think it's always a good idea to get your hair out of the way completely by having it in a:

Bun

My favorite. When done neatly, there will be nothing sticking out of your head, everything will be held in place.

Ponytail

I like to do mine a bit higher because when my hair constantly brush against my neck and shoulder it gets really uncomfortable, but it gets the job done.

Braid

Pretty! And voila, no hair on thy face.

3. Accesorize? Maybe not.

You'd probably die if I gave you a punch. Feel the wrath of my arm-things.

I would steer clear from big chunky bangles, long necklaces, dangly earrings or a billion of rings on the day you're taking your exams. Not only will they make noise, they will be quite distracting and uncomfortable when you're taking your exams. I always take off my bracelets before I write because it gets too loud and uncomfortable. Long dangly earrings can get caught in your hair, as you're brushing it away from your face (BUT YOU SHOULDN'T BECAUSE I TOLD YOU GUYS TO HAVE IT UP RIGHT?). Rings can just get painful when you're writing. So, no-no to accessories. 


Okay, I have to go now and revise for my other exams. Wish me luck!


Happy exams-writing,
Tammie.


"Academics tend to have wonderfully infantile senses of humor."
- John Lithgow

Travelling? No Problem.

Travelling: travel: the act of going from one place to another; "he enjoyed selling but he hated the travel".

It's finally the day before I leave for Singapore. Our THIMUN conferences don't actually start until Wednesday morning, up to Saturday, so we'll have half the day free tomorrow. We leave from school at 8 AM and our flight leaves at 10, so we'll get there at about noon.

So, since I'm going to post the outfit that I will wear for travelling later on anyways, I will write some tips for dressing up for the plane. Or some advice that I always follow when picking out outfits for travelling.

Number One Rule

Choice of footwear is VERY important when travelling. Actually, choice of footwear is very important all the time. My number one rule while travelling (for long distance: out of the country, more than 3 hours, etc.) is no flippy floppies. You will want to be moving quite fast while travelling, and also quite comfortably, so flip flops are a big no-no for me. If you're running they might fall off, then you have to huddle back and get them. Things that roll and people will be everywhere so the chances are if you are in a crowded airport, your toes will get stubbed, trodded upon, rolled on to, stepped on, smushed, smashed, squashed and more. If your flip flops are cheap and hard, they will give you blisters anywhere the straps touch your feet. My recommendation is a pair of good, comfy sneakers (by sneakers of course I mean a pair of ratty converse ;]), boots (you may wear heels in this case), comfy heels/wedges or FLATS.

Rule numero deux

Rule number two is think FUNCTIONALITY for things you carry. My bags are usually big totes. Or small sling-bags depending on what I'm bringing. Backpacks are fine but I just have a thing against them, so I usually steer clear of back packs. BRING PENS. Don't bring a bag gaping wide open for anyone's hand to stick into or your passport to fall out of. Make sure there are a kazillion little pouches on the inside for things like mints, passports, pens, money, make-up, etc.

Rule numero trois

I usually go for comfortable casual when I'm travelling. Wearing pants/shorts is highly recommended (remember, I'm talking long distance flights - everything depends), wear something that you won't trip over, or does not hug your feet so tight it swells. Skirts are okay I guess, but it might become a hassle in terms of functionality because you'll be walking around a lot. Scarves and an outerwear is also recommended. No matter where you go, chances are you will get cool, if not cold, over your travels. Being 30000 feet in the air can have that effect. So bring a scarf or a blazer, or even a jacket or hoodie if you're really going for comfortable. Wear a tank top or T-shirt and not something that will fall off or slide down.

Rule numero quatre

Your hair. Hair, hair, hair.
I hate having my hair up when I'm on the plane just because I can't lean on the seats. I hate having it down because it gets very static-y and really uncomfortable. So, I usually have it down when I leave, have it down as I settle in the plane and down when I sleep. As soon as I wake up, I usually tie it up in a bun for the rest of the trip. I also like to keep my bangs out of my face. When you sleep, the oil on your face will make your bangs nice and oily (if you have bangs or a fringe), even side bangs. So I highly recommend you keep it back with a pin or bobby pin.


So I hope one day those tips will be quite useful to you, if not already :)

I will post my outfit on the next post :)

Happy travelling!,
Tamara.

"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving."
- Lao Tzu