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Posted Dec. 5, 2014

Postgrad Exam Tip: What to Wear

It might seem odd to consider what to wear for your exams - after all, surely there's other things you could be spending your time doing, like revising? But it's worth planning in advance. Unless you're at Oxford or Cambridge, your university probably doesn't have any restrictions on what to wear, meaning you can turn up in anything. But there's a few things to bear in mind.
 
 
Layers
If it's the January exams you're planning for, layers are a must. It's tempting to just wear your biggest, cosiest jumper but you don't know whether the university is being kind or cruel with heating today. You don't want to freeze - let's face it, your handwriting will be a mess by the end anyway, so adding in some shivering will make it unreadable - but you also don't want to be sweaty and uncomfortable. Wear layers, so that if you're lucky enough to end up by the radiator, you can take a couple off and be the perfect temperature.
 
 
Fabric
If you're one of those people who sweats when nervious (and so many of us are!), you probably want to avoid polyster, silk or basically anything that's not cotton. Cotton is breathable, meaning you won't be feeling sticky and uncomfortable, allowing you to focus on what matters - the exam.
 
 
Loose Clothing
Another important fact to consider is how tight your clothes are. If you're already anxious, having tight clothes can start to feel restrictive - especially if you're in a shirt with a tight collar. Think back to your high school exams - how often did you see people fidgeting with collars, loosening ties and generally trying to relax. Avoid this problem by wearing something loose fitting to start with.
 
 
Avoid Heels
They might make you look professional, but heels are a nightmare - depending on how long you've got to wait to get into the exam room , you ight be on your feet a while, and starting off with distracting pain isn't great! Plus, you're almost certainly going to want to go to the pub afterwards, so why not be prepared for your drunken self and wear flats?
 
 
Jewellery
This goes for you men too! Most people find they'll have a nervous habit when it comes to exams. We've all sat next to that one irritating student who clicks their pen or taps their feet. Avoid being this student by preparing in advance. A chain necklace or a fidget ring is a great way to get your nervous energy out without it being a large, distracting gesture - meaning you can get that tension out without making your fellow exam mates hate you!
 
 
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