Male student dilemma?

[jumper44]

I feel like my Nursing profs judge me based on what I wear (loose fitting urban clothing). The reason I bring this up is a few days ago a prof in one of my nursing classes who I don't know on a personal basis made a really snide remark about my choice of clothing (she basically said I dress like a thug). I didn't think much of it until today. I've also always been an A student and I'm doing fine in my electives but in my Nursing class I'm sitting at C which is really unusual for me.

I don't know if I'm over thinking this too much but I'm not about to change my entire wardrobe on a whim. Someone just tell me I'm over thinking this...

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Okay. This wasn't the response I was looking for. Why does it matter what I wear? Half of girls in my class show up with their pajamas some days. How does what I wear effect my learning or the learning of others? I'm actually paying to be there it's not the other way around and furthermore there's no dress code at school. I already had a chat with my classmates I'm going to talk to her directly and see what her reasoning is, assuming she admits to discrimination.

I just love it when people get responses other than the ones they were looking for and immediately start arguing that it ought not to be that way. You put two and two together, got four, came to this forum to ask about it and were told that the answer is indeed four, and are now arguing that it really ought to be three or five. Mayhaps it should be. But it isn't.

It doesn't make any difference what the other folks in your class wear . . . if you want to be percieved as a professional, dress like one and act like one. If you want to be percieved as a thug, it seems as if you've already mastered that.

[canadiandude]

I say just be yourself and dont care what haters think.. I would also suggest get a nice tat or two and maybe start wearing belt chains you know in case the pants are at risk of falling down.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

hell why dont we all just go to class in speedos and tank tops bet the ladies would get a good kick out of that...

[grownuprosie]

I am a lady, so my advice may not be relevent. here goes though: I went to the first day of class in my usual attire: shorts, neon tights and an ironic t-shirt with my hair spiked up. All of the people in my class are stay at home moms in sweaters and waist high jeans. the instructors all have kids and they bonded instantly. Me? sitting my myself in the back of the class because I did not fit in at all and it was clear that the instructors had a preference. I started wearing my work clothes after that, a buttonup and grey slacks. Over time i slowly broke out my personal wardrobe, but i made sure the instructors knew me as a dedicated student first. now they just giggle at my hair and clothes because no one they know wears it like that.

lets say that it is exactly as you say and the instructor is manufacturing a lower grade for you based on her perception of you. There is literally no way to proove this. Making a fuss about descrimination to an established faculty member will only put you on bad footing with their peers in your next class. I would suggest that you pick up a basic professional outfit. you could get a pair of nice slacks and 2-3 polos should get you through the week and will not break the bank. Once they really get to know you, start working your wardrobe back in. you have a great opportunity to break a steriotype here!