Staying demure, mindful and cutesy is all anyone’s talking about as one of the top TikTok trends of the year. So, it only makes sense to carry this on into the academic year at uni.
But what does it mean to be demure? By the dictionary, it means to be “reserved,” “modest,” and “shy,” so how can we apply this to life at university?
From fashion to studying to going out, I’ll reveal the best ways to maintain a demure, cutesy, and mindful persona.
Fashion
It’s time to leave Brat summer behind and enter into a demure fall wardrobe as we start a new academic year. What better way to start uni than with some new clothes!
Demure dressing emphasises modesty and sophistication when it comes to your wardrobe. As the colder weather moves in for the start of the academic year, you’ll be glad for the trends of long sleeves and high necklines.
This trend pairs comfort with understated beauty, the perfect combination for lectures, studying and even going out.
Outfits should mainly consist of beige, cream and earthy tones that are essential to creating an elegant and understated look. The trend steers away from form-fitting clothes and instead focuses on creating loose silhouettes. That means no “cho-cho” on show.
So, when you are packing for uni, you are going to want to include typically classic pieces of clothing. Think cardigans, waistcoats and knitted jumpers. Pair these with a relaxed fit of trousers, and you’ll have yourself looking pretty demure.
The trend will have you walking into your lectures looking classy, cutesy and, most importantly, demure.
Studying
Sometimes the pressure of studying can make us messy, stressed and pretty un-demure.
The key to staying calm and composed is being well-prepared. Making a study timetable is essential to staying on top of your work and preventing stress (after all, stress isn’t very demure). Make it pretty so it’s enjoyable to look at, and allocate yourself manageable chunks each day.
Now, it’s time to sit down and do the work. Sit somewhere you know you’ll get work done; libraries and study rooms are the best places. Sitting in your room may tempt you to go on your phone.
Make sure you have everything you need within reach. Having your laptop already plugged in means you won’t have to worry about it running out. Keep a notepad and multiple pens close by so you won’t get frustrated if one runs out – there’s another one right there!
You need water! A dedicated study session can go on for hours, so be mindful about your hydration. Getting up to grab a drink can be time-consuming and allow distractions, which can interrupt your demure study streak.
Flat or housemates
A polite housemate is a demure housemate, so make sure to act mindfully towards the people you’re living with.
Don’t let the kitchen or other shared spaces become a mess. cleaning up after yourself straight away is a good way to show you respect; it’s not only your space. Creating a cleaning rota for your house/flat also ensures it doesn’t all fall on you and can help bypass the tension caused by a messy house.
Don’t be the housemate who causes a noise complaint from the people you live with or the neighbors. You don’t need the bass vibrating through the walls – either stick some headphones in or turn it down to a manageable (demure) level.
If you are having issues with someone you live with, talk to them directly. It’s easy to send a message online, but this can sometimes result in miscommunication and start an argument. It’s better to go to the person directly and speak calmly about what’s bothering you. Your point will come across better if you stay demure.
Lectures
Your lectures are the most important part of your time at uni (some may argue otherwise). They are where you learn everything you need to know to get your degree.
Staying mindful and demure can help you make the most of each lecture and the content you take away from it.
Firstly, eliminate distractions. It’s nice to sit with your friends and have a chat during the breaks, but make sure that you are with people who will put their heads down and work when they need to. Talking over your lecturers is not demure or mindful.
Sit yourself where you can clearly see the board and hear the lecturer. This also means the lecturer will be able to see you, so if you have any questions you can politely raise your hand rather than shouting and waving across the room to get their attention.
You will make a far better impression, and your lecturer will respect you a lot more as a student if you behave demurely during their lectures.
Nights out
It may sound impossible to stay demure and mindful on a night out, but it can be done.
The key is in planning. Knowing where you are going when you are leaving and who with means you can enjoy the night knowing you don’t have to stress about coming up with plans on the spot.
Know your limit! Being mindful of how many drinks you can handle can help keep you from overdoing it. There’s no doubt that you’ll have a few chaotic nights out, but if you want to stay demure, a glass of water between drinks is your best friend.
Losing your friends can be stressful and is far too easy to do in a room full of people. The best way to find them is to agree on a meeting point in case you get separated. This way, you can regroup calmly and continue your night demurely.
Societies
Joining a society means meeting a whole new group of people. What better first impression to make than showing you can be a demure and mindful presence?
Go into the social events and gatherings and speak to everyone. Take an interest in why they joined and what they do and chances are it will be reciprocated. Not only will this show you off to be a polite member of the group, but it will also lead to some interesting interactions that can make your experience even better.
It also means that if you decide to run for a place on the committee of your society, its members will be more likely to vote for you if they know you will be mindful and respectful.
