With the back-to-school season right around the corner, it’s time to get ready to show some pride for your school. There’s no better way to get back in the school-time mood than getting in the school spirit!
Educational centers are not just places of learning, they’re also reflective of who people are. Your hometown school represents your childhood, your university represents your first step toward adulthood, and so on. They are also where people make friends and memories that last a lifetime. In a way, schools can actually represent you.
Whether you’re going to high school or university, most schools have multiple events to attend year-round. From pep rallies to homecoming, there are many opportunities for you to cheer on your school. No matter if you’re a freshman or senior, you can still show off some pride for your place of learning. Even alums or parents can wear a logo with pride!
However, you might be bursting with spirit but not know where to show it. Below are some tips to show off your school with pride.
1. Make Some Spiritwear
Every school has its own merchandise, but do you really want the same generic clothing that everyone else buys from the gift shop? Display some real school spirit by making your own custom t shirt! Designing your own shirt will help you stand out from the crowd.
Choose your school colors, add your school logo, and whatever else you’d like. Maybe you could put your favorite school player’s jersey number on the back. Or, represent your club or school department. A custom school spirit shirt would be perfect for spirit week or homecoming week. What better way to show your school pride than your own themed creation?
2. Attend Sports Games
Most schools and universities have different sports teams, from soccer to cheerleading. With the rotation of different sports’ seasons, you’ll have a different type of game to go to throughout the year. There’s football in the fall, baseball in the spring, and so on.
If you have siblings or friends on a team, that makes it all the better! You can show your support for them as well as your school by showing up.
Even if you’re not that into sports, being a part of the crowd can be a fun experience. Cheering the team members on, dressing up in your spiritwear, and hanging out with friends makes game day enjoyable. Also, if there’s a pep band or concession stand, there’s even more fun to be had. You can sing along to your school’s game-day chants and enjoy some tasty treats.
3. Go to a Spirit Event
Lots of schools hold rallies or parades to get students and the community excited for an upcoming game or event. Homecoming and pep rallies are probably the most known reasons for such celebrations. Some schools hold street parades or fairs before a big game, with games, food, and performances.
Let loose while you’re there! Remember, the whole point of these events is to have fun. It’s not a pep rally without the pep! Go with a group of friends, get some yummy snacks, and cheer on your school. Wear your school paraphernalia and put on some fun accessories. Scrunchies or face paint with your school’s colors are great yet simple ways to jazz up your outfit.
However you decide to dress up, being present is the most important part. Just showing up is enough to prove you care.
4. Put Up Decorations
Show your enthusiasm by decorating your home or office! Why only have decorations for holidays? Your school deserves some love too.
Many schools sell decorative items in their gift shops. Coasters, picture frames, and blankets are just a few items that are easy to squeeze into any space. Want something to liven up your garden or front yard? Flags are a great option to bring some color about and show your school pride.
Maybe you prefer a more subtle way to decorate while still showing your spirit. Put your school colors into your room theme. If the colors are blue and gold, get some blue and gold pillows, for example. By putting up some spirited decor, you can show your school pride on days when you’re not wearing the apparel.
5. Make a Donation
No longer a student? A powerful way to give back to the place that helped you learn and grow is through a donation. Schools always need more funds to expand their facilities and quality of education. Some schools even let you choose where your money will go. Maybe they’re raising funds for a club or a new baseball field. Maybe you want your money to help pay fees for a student in need. You’re allowed to specify what your donation goes to.
Times may be tough, so don’t worry about how much or how little you can give. Even a dollar can be used somehow. A less outright donation is simply buying a ticket to a game or school-hosted event. Your money is still going to the school’s funding. If students are having fundraisers, like a local car wash, participating is another way to support current students.
Maybe you want to donate your time instead! Volunteering is a great idea to get involved and show you have pride for your school. Whether chaperoning a dance, joining the PTA, or helping man an event booth, you can be the answer to a specific need.
It’s the Thought that Counts
Whether you go big or small, how you show your school spirit is ultimately up to you! If you don’t like wearing flashy things, get a small pin with your school logo to put on your jacket. If you do like to go all out, decorate yourself and your living space to your heart’s content.
No matter how you show your support, do it with pride. You’re representing where you come from, where you made memories, or even for someone else you love.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.