If you're true punk, yet your parents send you to a catholic school that you don't want to go to, here is a guide to stand out and not completely conform. Of course if nonconformity got you put there, as an alternative, then you can still experiment with your style, and you might get a good education -- if you show your skills. Try to have some fun without serious troubles by not being really rebellious: not mean, rude or too obvious.
Steps
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Be creative, not bad toward other people. Punk clothing is sort of about being messy or uncoordinated, dressing the way you want, going against the mainstream styles... but you can choose to be more moderate and not over the top if you want some peace and quiet.
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Realize that hair is a major issue at catholic school, because they say no extreme hairstyles or colors.
- If you go to school with a new haircut like a mohawk, you'll see what they mean. If they tell you to "even" it, or shave it off, but you don't, then you may be suspended.
- If you're a girl, extremely short hair or a bald head is extreme, but there may be little they will do other than to require a head covering, because you'll have so little hair.
- Also if you want to color your hair extreme, without being non-reversible, dye it a bright "natural" color like red, bleach it blond, or dye it a very dark natural color or black.
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Paint your nails dark with light colored tips, or in a few different colors.
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Decorate your book bag with patches, key chains, and pins about your favorite things.
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Wear as many accessories as you are allowed. Do whatever you can to the uniform to make it interesting. If you have a choice between pants and skirts, decide which you like and adjust the length and over-size. Put safety pins on. Roll up your sleeves. Change to slightly contrasting shoelaces. Wear very dark or light leggings, and if you want, "run" them to see how that will be accepted.
Tips
- Don't do it for attention. You'll just regret it in a few years if you're not actually 'punk' and down for shows and squats.
- Don't copy. Take pride in originality.
- If you get a reasonable education while being a little extreme, all is not lost. Set goals for your education.
- If you get in trouble with your school: accept their judgment -- even if you don't want to be at that school, your parents are paying.
- Cooperate and listen politely to your teachers, when they tell you things like: "This style won't turn out to your advantage in the real or work world."
- Just go with a buzz cut if hair is an issue. or less would be straight, as real punks can't afford going to the salon for something elaborate and still wouldn't if they had the cash. The punk lifestyle does not afford time for maintaining hairstyles anyway.
Warnings
- Haters gonna hate
- Don't be just overly angry and rebellious: that's not much fun. Don't go against your own goals that are for your good; if you conform, you'll be called a sellout, poser punk, but do what will work best for you in the long run -- for your goals and to get along with your family.
- Real punks may not consider you punk when you are going to private, catholic school. Prove them wrong. If they threaten to beat you up, try to resist without getting yourself into serious trouble.
- The school may force you to change the hair or else expel you, and you wouldn't want that would you?