This article was written by Apollo Hodgson during work experience at YO Bendigo

As a person who has been to many schools, I have had my fair share of having to wear a school uniform. To me school uniform has always felt weird but unfortunately, its an obligation a lot of us have to follow because it makes us more identifiable, harder to lose, and more standardized. I hate school uniforms, they suck and here's why:    

1.   They make us all look the same!

In primary school what I enjoyed most was at the end of the term we got to wear casual. This is because I've always enjoyed expressing myself through my physical appearance like dying my hair all these crazy colors and especially the way I dressed. I hate the way uniforms make me feel, like I have to be like others but I'm not like others. I'm loud, witty, expressive, creative and so much more. 

2.   They're uncomfy and confusing!

Uniform has always made me feel insecure and uncomfortable. Sometimes I felt exposed if I didn't wear a baggy hoodie or trackies especially in my primary school years. Even now in high school, I feel more confident in myself and the way I look I would feel more comfortable in my own clothes. 

also the uniforms get so complicated! we have to wear certain shirts on certain days (looking at you PE uniform!) and even the shoes have to be a specific type.

3.   They're expensive! 

Uniform is so expensive! It costs nearly $50 dollars for a shirt. If I wanted to get a whole uniform outfit it would cost over $100- do you know how outrageous that is? 

Another reason uniform exists so the less fortunate don't get bullied but the less fortunate still get bullied. People still get bullied; it's not the uniform it's the people who think they're high and mighty and who need to feel better about themselves by making others feel awful. If people still get bullied regardless, why not just let people wear what they want?

4.   They're not even made in Australia!

Our school uniforms (at my school) aren't even made in Australia! They're made in China and Vietnam which means they aren't ethically sourced. I want to support brands that have the same values as me and being forced to wear uniform doesn't allow that. 

5.   Our bodies, our choice! 

Most students don't even like school uniform because they want to decide what they want to wear for us. It should be our choice, that choice shouldn't be made for us! 

Anyway lots of students still break these rules and wear what they want to anyway, so why not just get rid of uniforms all together?