The Rise and Fall of College Fashion

The 2010 spring semester at Towson University started Monday, January 27. Rather than the usual assortment of Towson apparel, many students were decked out in casual dress clothes. Several girls could be seen in cute sweaters and tops, Uggs and high heels, and pea coats and North Face jackets. Several guys were seen wearing oversize hoodies with fresh kicks, name-brand tees and hats, and ski coats.

The excitement of the first day of school doesn't end once you graduate high school. Many people still see this day as a chance to make a good impression amongst their peers. A lot of college students still hit the mall and go school shopping in order to find that perfect first day of school outfit. Who knows, that cute guy or girl in your finance class at 8 a.m. might notice your brand new sneakers and strike up a conversation.

The concept of looking so fresh and so clean for classes in college however quickly changes as the semester passes. Once the work load finally sets in, social lives are renewed, and exams are around the corner, the way you look no longer matters for that 8 a.m. class. Many students resort to the comfort and classic appeal of old favorites: sweatpants and hoodies.

It is considered the just crawled out of bed look. Students barely have time to brush their hair or teeth before they hurry on to class after a long night of cramming over text books. I know that I am guilty of it on an almost weekly basis. My usual attire is sweatpants, a tee shirt and jacket, and my good ol' Red Sox baseball cap covering my unruly and tangled hair.

This look isn't for everyone and some days are better than others. After some rest and recovery, some students have the energy or resolve to improve their look and wear real clothes to class. Once the semester is in full swing however, those days are few and far between.

I think that looking a mess is just a part of the whole college experience. No one should be embarrassed about what they come to class in because I can guarantee you, the people around you probably look just as tired and under dressed as you do.

"Tipping makes you look sexy": How Public Behavior Reflects Personal Appearance

"Tipping makes you look sexy." This comment can be found on the tip jar of the counter at a local ice cream shop in Annapolis, Maryland. As a server in a restaurant, I found this joke not only to be funny but also true.

The percent that a patron tips a server or any other attendant reflects on that persons character. Although leaving a good tip might not actually make you look sexy physically, it does however affect how others consider you. A good tipper can be seen as generous and appreciative while a bad tipper can be seen as cheap and rude.

Current economic times are tough for everyone and I understand the need to save money but many people do not seem to realize that if they are suffering from financial turmoil due to the economy, so is everyone else.

The custom percent to tip has been debatable for centuries but today many agree that 18 to 20 percent is acceptable. However, many people are still only tipping 15 percent for services rendered. An article from The Temple News Online accurately expresses my feelings about the lack of awareness many people have about the wages of servers and what is considered appropriate tipping behavior.

As a server, I only make $3.85 an hour. Taxes and other fees are removed from my paycheck each pay period, usually resulting in a paycheck of negative numbers. Like many others in the service industry, I rely upon the tips I make to pay bills and my college tuition. It is not just frivolous spending money but my life blood. I do not think that many people are aware of that.

I cannot say that all servers or attendants deserve 20 percent if their service is not quality and up to par. But remember, the next time you go out to dinner and enjoy a nice meal with great service, that your server works just as hard as you do and deserves that 20 percent tip. It will certainly make his or her day and will reflect positively on you.