Show Superstitions and Rituals For Tests Stacie Peart Contributing Writer Students taking classes at atthe atthe atthe the Salt Lake Community College or other colleges and universities are constantly constantly constantly con con- bombarded with tests Occasionally students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents have been known to try unconventional methods methods methods meth meth- such as superstitions and rituals to help them achieve the desire desired grade on a test Some students have a set routine before a test or believe that having a certain certain certain tain object with them will ensure a favorable grade on their midterms or finals Routines and lucky charms are sometimes used by students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents to get straight As A's or at least a passing C C on a test however many people might not think o of these methods as superstitious or of ritualistic Before I take a a test Illo Ill I'll go o to Jamba Juice and get a smoothie smooth smooth- Strawberries Wild ie with protein Russ Lee said Also I always wear my lucky red shirt that says Attitude is Everything and my Dixie College hat Some students whether they are aware of it or not trust in these unconventional al methods to help them choose their own destiny Destiny in this case is a passing grade on a test Many students use more accepted ways of getting a good grade such as studying studying study study- ing mg and attending class while others still believe in superstitions and rituals around midterms and finals week week and and some try both To me superstitions are akin to mythology in their attempt to explain the unexplainable Humans have always desired to predict predict predict pre pre- dict and control the forces of nature and to have a say in our own destiny said Elisa Stone a professor of American Folklore at Practicing superstition superstition superstition super super- convinces us we can identify behavior that will lead to predictable outcomes outcomes outcomes out out- comes and that we can overcome phenomena we fear by developing sayings and rituals to influence events and dispel our sense of frailty Superstitions folklorist Barre calls religious religious religious reli reli- superstitions' superstitions are practiced by those who truly believe in their effects Stone said Some students like Lee believe in superstitions and rituals and that wearing a certain t shirt t-shirt hat or even lucky b boxers will iU give them control over over the grade th they y will get et on their midterm or finalI final finalI finalI final I knew a kid who would go to the temple instead of studying Bryce Moyes recalls But it didn't didn't didn't did did- nt really work for him He should have studied Many superstitious students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents have replaced all night study sessions sessions with lots of caffeine and sugar for alternative methods of studying A few of these these study methods can consist of prayer or other religious acts which said See Superstitions con continued continued continued on page 2 Superstitions continued from front page are considered religious superstitions While some test-takers test use more religious religious religious reli reli- rituals before a big test other students use different different dif dif- Jel ferent l superstitions 2 or rituals rituals ritu- ritu als a s to gam gain more success during their sf study sess sessions sI s. s I I I use massive amounts of flash cards Terra Berry said Berry who finds it difficult difficult difficult cult to study in silence will wiIl often go to a loud coffee shop She also will wiIl meet friends at a bar to study while they share a pitcher of beer Jan Brunvand a well- well known folklorist argues that no one is immune from the assumptions that underlie superstition nor from holding or practicing superstitions to some degree Stone said Superstitions and rituals are in American culture in everyday life without students students stu stu- dents and others realizing it Many students might not l want t toV p. p admit le super superstitious f tt b but i t w fh when en w it 1 comes to lo taking faking i a a te i students stir stu dents still have lucky charms to help them pass I their midterms or finals Those interested in learning learning learning learn learn- ing more about superstitions superstitions superstitions I and rituals can take the English 2710 Intro to j American Folklore class atthe at atthe the South City campus orvia or orvia via the Internet |