Class is a rare thing to come across these days. What is class? Being classy does not mean you have to be boring, stuck up, rich, or any other unfortunate characteristic that has become associated with the term. A woman with class is genuine, confident, thinks not only of herself but of others, is loyal, well-mannered, and someone that you generally enjoy being around.
If you’d like to be a diamond in the rough of your classmates this semester, here are some tips to guide you to staying classy!
1. Don’t strive for perfection
Perfection doesn’t exist, because everyone has their own view of what it is. If your goal is to be “perfect” in all aspects of your life, you are going to be constantly let down when you don’t meet what other people’s expectations of perfection are. This puts an enormous amount of stress on you, which will affect your mood. Instead, set goals that you want to accomplish, but not just goals that you know that you can accomplish. Set the bar high, but your life doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect.
2. If you make plans, stick to them
You want to be someone people enjoy being around! You can’t be that person if your group of friends is waiting at the table they reserved for dinner wondering if you are going to show up. Don’t be the friend that constantly forgets she made plans, and don’t be the friend that flakes. Keep a planner, set reminders in your phone, and do whatever you have to do to keep your plans, even if you don’t want to go. People value loyalty, not apologies.
3. Dress for the occasion
It’s a common misconception that classy girl’s closet is filled with almost nothing but stuffy dresses and skirts. You can show some skin! You just have to do it tastefully and at the correct time. You wouldn’t go to your grandma’s birthday party wearing that black sequin dress with a low neckline that you wore on New Years Eve, would you? When in doubt, your trusty little black dress is always a good option.
4. Have good manners
People notice good manners, and they definitely notice when you don’t have good manners. Have good table manners and common sense such as holding doors for people, but also try doing some larger gestures. For example, send handwritten thank you notes – people love getting letters that aren’t bills.
5. Be informed
You don’t have to be at an ivy league college, but having common sense and knowing what general current events are going on are essential for a classy girl. Many conversations happen around current events, and in order to have meaningful conversations, it’s helpful to know what is going on in the world.
5. Be confident in what you say
Think before you speak, and don’t just talk for the sake of talking. Make sure what you are saying contributes to the conversation and has substance. Say it with confidence, don’t say “um”, and make eye contact.
6. Be happy, but don’t be fake
Again, a classy woman is someone people want to be around! Be nice and be happy, but nobody likes someone who is obviously over-the-top, fake happy all the time. And trust me, people can tell when you are being fake happy. You don’t have to be sunshine Barbie every day – emotions are what make people real, and people do understand that. It’s how you handle your emotions that can make or break a person’s reputation. Yelling at the barista because she messed up your coffee order? Not so classy. Calmly explain to her that it’s not what you ordered and politely ask for a new one (manners!).
7. Have consideration for others
Don’t take up the entire sidewalk. Don’t order the most expensive thing on the menu when you’re on a date. If you stay at a friend or family member’s house, leave it in the same or better condition than you found it.
8. Do a social media sweep
Take a look at your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., and see what areas you can improve on. Are your statuses especially vulgar? Are your pictures a little on the trashy side?
Again, being classy is not about being perfect. It is not something that will happen overnight and it will take some time, but sticking to these tips should make it fairly easy. Good luck, classy ladies!