Advanced Placement exams are near, and AP students’ levels of morale, spunk, and overall enthusiasm for life are slowly deteriorating. Some students have taken to the coffee shops to study under the influence of jazz music and caffeine, while some have become hermits, living in a world of closed doors and ramen. Pre-exam rituals are a routine that nearly every student has, just like every warrior loves going into battle with his or her weapon of choice.
There are multiple AP courses that Woodland has to offer, and the first exam will take place on Monday, May 4th. The countdown to exams has begun, and this weekend, many Woodland students will be filling out copious amounts of flashcards about the Peloponnesian War, memorizing statistical equations, or trying to remember what deoxyribonucleic acid is. However, flashcards aren’t the only way to study.
Some students, such as AP exam veteran Mary-Nicole Buckley, have unusual studying techniques.
“I know this sounds weird, but I don’t study the night before an exam,” says Buckley, “the week before, I study, study, study, and then the night before I only read through a small amount of last-minute review material.”
Other students, such as senior Leigh-Anne Barreira, like to have a fresh memory of the material walking into the exam.
“I try to study everything I’ve learned, and I don’t sleep,” says Barreira.
A very common ritual, chanting a subject-related phrase, is practiced by some AP classes. Last year, a group of AP United States History students chanted the pledge together and ran to the exam room. This display of rallying was deemed unprofessional by the test supervisor, but junior AP student Zach Crowell did not agree.
“Before exams, I’ve hid under desks, given pep talks, and heard some students say some really strange things,” says Crowell. “This year for AP World History, we’re trying to get the bagpipes to be played as we walk to the testing room.”
Chris Tomlin, AP World History teacher, reveals some interesting religion-based rituals he has seen in his past few years of teaching.
“A few times, I’ve seen students begin tests by blessing their desks with religious items, or holding small prayer vigils,” says Tomlin. “Although these are based on theology, it seems to help students calm down during the testing period.”
Some teachers believe that while these rituals might not actually work, they often help the student deal with the test and stay focused. Tim Phipps, AP United States History teacher, thinks that these practices provide psychological benefits.
“The students go into a test having very little control over the situation,” said Phipps, “so having control over something small makes it easier for them to cope with such a stressful situation.”
These rituals may seem unusual at first, but AP students agree that these practices help them battle the test. On the day of the AP U.S. History exam, this reporter will definitely be wearing her lucky owl socks. In the next few days, AP students will be carrying around rabbits’ feet, four-leaf clovers, and lucky pens, ready to attack their exams.
What test-taking practices have you seen before? Let us know in the comments below!
