Go for a button-down shirt every once in a while, instead of just a T-shirt.

If you’re planning to work out later in the day, bring your workout clothes in your bag to change into later, so that you can still look professional throughout the day.

If you want to wear glasses, but don’t actually need them to see, you can get “fashion glasses” that are just clear glass lenses.

Try Chelsea boots or suede sneakers. Avoid wearing running shoes when you’re not working out.

If you don’t have time to wash your hair on a particular day, wear it in a braid so that it doesn’t look oily.

Maintaining good posture can also avoid a lot of back pain. [6] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source

Don’t feel the need to stare into somebody’s eyes during the whole conversation. This can feel too intense. Instead, try maintaining eye contact for about 5 seconds and then look away at something else before coming back to looking in their eyes. [8] X Research source Try to maintain eye contact about 50% of the time when you’re speaking, and about 70% of the time when you’re listening. [9] X Research source

Don’t change the topic to boast about yourself. Instead, switch it to a topic that you’re comfortable discussing. Like, “oh, that reminds me of a conversation I had with my grandfather. He had such an interesting life. He used to…”

For instance, if someone is describing an experience they had, you can ask, “How do you feel like that experience changed the way you interact with people today?” or if they are describing a book they read, you can ask, “What most stood out to you about the book?”

Not only will you look smart by reading a book in public, but you will actually get smarter by exposing yourself to new worlds, words and ideas. [13] X Expert Source John KeeganDating Coach Expert Interview. 12 March 2021. Try to read before you go to sleep instead of watching television. It will calm your brain for bed better than watching bright lights and moving pictures. Just don’t read anything too sad or scary right before bed!

You also don’t have to keep on all the news that’s happening everywhere. Choose a topic that you’re interested in, and check in about it. Many news outlets offer podcast summaries of their news, so you don’t have to read if you don’t have time. For example, you can listen to The New York Times podcast, “The Daily. ”

If you don’t understand something, and don’t want to ask in front of the whole class, draw a star on your notes in the margin to remind yourself to ask the teacher after class. Don’t talk about test grades with other students. This only makes you come across as stuck-up and grade-obsessed, not more intelligent. If people ask for your grade on a test, just say, “I prefer not to talk about grades, but I was happy with how I did,” or, “I didn’t do so well this time, I’m going to study more. ”

You’ll gain a lot of wisdom, and people might even begin to see you as “wise beyond your years. ”