For some students, it takes more than an hour to get ready for school. For others, it takes less than 20 minutes. How we look in school does not play a role in how well we do in school, even though some of us like to believe it does. However, looking your best every day might have its perks.

Your teacher will not give you a higher grade on an assignment because you wore a dress shirt and tie. Nor will your teacher give you extra credit because you curled your hair and put on make-up. However, if you’re wearing pajamas and asking your professor for an extension on your term paper, I highly doubt your professor will take you seriously. And if you are assigned group work with other students, no one will want to work with you if you look as if you just rolled out of bed.

The way you present yourself often dictates your confidence and self-awareness. If you start your day feeling good and positive, then your attitude for the day will be just that—feeling good and positive. The best advantage of looking your best is feeling your best. With an extra boost of confidence, who knows what you are capable of achieving? Confidence can mean raising your hand in class to clear up any matter that you are confused about, or simply meeting new classmates and making new study buddies.

Now don’t get me wrong…this is NOT a “How to Sleep with Your Professor for an A” article. I also know that waking up early in the morning isn’t always the easiest thing to do. But taking time in the morning to get yourself ready for the day will eventually help you out in the long run. Try something new tomorrow morning and start a new good habit. Even if you’re in a plain white t-shirt and blue jeans, your professors and fellow classmates will take you way more seriously than they would if you came to school in your pajamas.