It’s that time of the semester, when students spend endless hours poring over books and notes, consuming large amounts of caffeine and trying to cram a semester’s worth of information into an overworked brain, all in an attempt to pass final exams and take a well-deserved vacation.
But some students turn to a little more than studying to help them do well on exams.
Jeff Bordelon, a business junior, said he always avoids picking up pennies with the tail side up, which he considers a sign of bad luck.
Susan Pickens, a mass communication senior, said she keeps close to others and avoids splitting poles when walking next to someone during finals week.
According to various Web sites, some college students use lucky shirts, underwear, jewelry, pens or pencils when taking exams in the hopes that they will make a better grade.
Male college students have been known to stop shaving during exam week, and several students feel more comfortable sitting in the same spot they have occupied throughout the semester in the classroom when taking the exams.
Another superstition says that if students trim their fingernails during a final exam, they will perform poorly on that exam.
However, many University students said they do not believe in any exam superstitions.
Lauren Del Rio, a history senior, said she concentrates her efforts on studying instead of superstitions.
“I just go in there and wing it,” Del Rio said.
Ryan Perque, a math sophomore, said he did not believe in lucky charms or superstitions during exams.
Baxter Sanders, a mass communication freshman, said instead of using lucky charms during exams, he says an extra prayer or two.
“All I do is pray, and hopefully God will direct my hand,” Sanders said.