Many of us are attending Iowa State to prepare ourselves for careers that will carry us through the rest of our lives. While this road is not always an easy one, especially during mid-terms and finals, we persevere — though our style, physical and mental health may suffer.

But is the added stress of school, regardless of the time of year, really an excuse to wear pajamas to class? I ask this, because based on observation, apparently the answer is yes.

But can we really call it an excuse? Maybe it is nothing more than pure laziness. Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: I am certainly noticing more people wearing pajama pants — I just don’t get it.

Not only do I see them on campus, but they are turning up at the grocery store, the mall, coffee shops, movies and the gym. Well, maybe the gym’s OK if a person is then heading home. But really, do we have nothing better to wear?

Granted, I know some elementary schools have “pajama day” — and maybe they do in middle school and high school too. But this college, I think that we’re a long way from those days.

Dr. Mary-Lynn Damhorst, professor in apparel education studies and hospital management, does not agree.

“Wearing pajama tops or bottoms, or both, to classes has been happening at U.S. universities and colleges for several years now. The obvious message sent by this behavior is ‘I need to be comfortable!’”

Sure, I love lounging around my house in pj’s — but I draw the line there. I have never been a fan of sweatpants, but at least in comparison to the pajama pant, they are a step up.

Historically, pajamas originated in India. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, traditionally they were simply a loose and lightweight pant fitted with a drawstring at the waist. That said, today’s modern version does have its place — in bed and behind closed doors.

Mallory Scarf, an Environmental Science student is in favor of the trend and participates herself. “It’s more comfortable to sit around in pajamas than jeans in class. I just feel more relaxed.” When I ask her if it makes her feel sleepy, she responds “no, not so much, but it does save time in the morning.”

Damhorst said that there is a visual joke in the behavior, adding “it is an extreme act of casualness in dress, perhaps stating that the student is completely comfortable on campus or needs to wear ultimate comfort wear to deal with the stress of classes.”

To me, these students certainly do not represent up and coming professionals. Are we preparing for sleep here, or are we preparing for the real world?

How we dress is essentially an outward extension of how we see ourselves. Even if one was lucky enough to find an open-minded employer, chances are that openness only stretches so far. Just imagine the horrified look on a client’s face at having to deal with someone in pink bunny pants!

Most likely, we would never get away with such childishness in the workplace. So isn’t it time we give up such behaviors now? While one could make the case for the global internet revolution and the age of video chatting, let’s just say we all won’t be lucky enough to land jobs like that.

“Some students perhaps intend to sleep during classes, so their pajama wearing may be a joking insult about the lack of inspiration in their classes. There is also an intimacy about sleepwear that violates our traditional codes of self-exposure when worn outside,” Dramhorst said.

Of the several students that I questioned as to whether or not they wear, or have worn pajamas to school, I started to hear some familiar terms from those opposed. Words like “lazy” and “trashy” or phrases such as “sweatpants are OK but not pajamas” were common.

But that doesn’t stop students like Josie Nelsen, an industrial engineering student who feels that “it’s more comfy, and I don’t have to take extra time to get ready.”

While we all have a right to self expression, I’m just saying that perhaps it could be better suited to the appropriateness of the environment around us. The fact of the matter is, there are probably people who don’t want to know what you wear to bed.

Besides, time management is a valuable skill, and one that we should be learning right now. Part of that is getting up early enough to get to school on time. Another part is budgeting our time so that we have enough energy to get dressed in the morning. And, practice makes perfect.

 — Erin Mastre is a graduate student in landscape architecture from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.