Test day rituals?

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Anyone have unique rituals or superstitions before exams?

Mine: I never shave on the mornings of exams. If caps are allowed, I wear my lucky Oneonta Tigers hat.

At first I passed over your post, and thought, no, I don't really have any and then I realized that the day before and the day of every exam I run around like a lunatic ranting about how I didn't have enough time to study and now I'm probably going to fail the exam, yada yada. I have never failed the exam. My husband and kids giggle and roll their eyes even though I tell them I am serious THIS time. Now it's been several years and even if I feel confident I still use this technique because I don't want to mess up a good thing, so I guess that's sort of a ritual/superstition. My nine year old daughter sometimes say's, "I won't win" because she thinks if she say's that the opposite will happen.....oops.......

zenurse

59 Posts

I have two special pencils that I use for my tests. I started with the original two last year while doing my pre-requisites, then as they wore out I introduced a new pencil with one of the old pencils (you know, to provide continuity...). Once the newer pencil was used, I could then replace the older pencil with another new pencil. Get it? In case you are wondering, they are Dixon Ticonderoga black (not yellow) HB pencils with black erasers. They are obviously the key to my success...HA HA:specs:

I have two special pencils that I use for my tests. I started with the original two last year while doing my pre-requisites, then as they wore out I introduced a new pencil with one of the old pencils (you know, to provide continuity...). Once the newer pencil was used, I could then replace the older pencil with another new pencil. Get it? In case you are wondering, they are Dixon Ticonderoga black (not yellow) HB pencils with black erasers. They are obviously the key to my success...HA HA:specs:

HaHa...I use the ticonderoga yellows...maybe I should try the black ones..

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

I wear an antique jewelry piece that's been in my family since the 1800s. I feel like I'm wearing the love of several generations of women in my family, and it carries me through important exams. I picture my great-great-great-great-etc grandmother wearing this jewelry in 1800 and castigating me, saying, "Of course you know the answer!"

Yes, really this is what I do. It works for me.

divokevan

54 Posts

Mines probably a little crazy, since I go to the same school my mom graduated from, I always visit the wall of alumnis and look at my mom's pic! She's my inspiration! Then, I go and rock that test! LOL

Kiringat

239 Posts

Specializes in Acute Care.

I have a card that a wonderful patient gave me back during first semester I always have with me. It reminds me of why I'm taking the test and all the patients who have told me I'll be a great nurse. Keeps me going!

CT Pixie, BSN, RN

3,723 Posts

I've used the same pens since day one. (blue ink OptiFlow fine point from Staples) I only use it for tests. The rare occasions that I haven't used that pen, my grade wasn't as high as it normally is. A funny thing happened during one test, I was 3/4's through the test, using the pen I always do, and it ran out of ink, I didn't have another blue one but I did have black ink, so I used that. Got the test back, I got all the questions right that I used the blue pen for but I got a ton wrong on the questions i used the black ink pen. And when looking at the ones wrong, I KNEW those answers as soon as I looked at them, it wasn't like the last few ?'s were hard or I didn't know the answer!! I also make sure I wear my engagement ring and another special ring my hubby gave me. Again, if i didn't have one or both on, my score on the test wasn't at the level it usually is.

And finally, I ALWAYS ask the teacher passing out the tests for an odd numbered test. Now, the teachers KNOW to give me an odd numbered one. LOL

So far using the pen on odd numbered tests while wearing both rings has gotten me to a 3.8 gpa :w00t:

ashonman

110 Posts

Specializes in ER.

I have a special pencil that's refillable, Too bad I am not going to need a pencil so I guess a pedicure will do then. Ha Ha ha!!!!!:balloons:

ashonman

110 Posts

Specializes in ER.

I have a special pencil that's refillable, Too bad I am not going to need a pencil so I guess a pedicure will do then. Ha Ha ha!!!!!:balloons:

SMS80

39 Posts

i have a few...

i use the same pencil that i started with on the very first nursing test always. it's lasted me awhile, this is my last semester!

and whenever i'm about to do anything nursing related that i'm nervous about (clinicals, tests, etc.) i wear a purple bracelet that my son made for me. it always reminds me why i'm doing this.

another thing i do, is when i'm in uniform and getting ready for a day of clinicals i always look in the mirror and say "i hope i make you proud today, dad." my father was an RN but passed away before i got into nursing school.

flightnurse2b, LPN

1 Article; 1,496 Posts

Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

when we have a test, i always wear my adidas flip flops. everyone thinks i'm weird... but i have a 4.0! :)

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