With the exams in full swing, we asked our readers about their unusual exam rituals. Here are our favourite answers …
1. Be your own best friend
I text my other phone "Good luck" and then reply "Thanks" so that I feel like I have someone encouraging me.
Liam Fung, 13, Chinese International School
2. Click your way to success
I tie my hair up in a ponytail, roll up my sleeves, and most bizarrely of all, I click my pen. It's weird, but I click my pen exactly the same number of times as the number of pages in my test paper. (So six pages, six clicks.) It also helps warm up my fingers for the exam!
Anushka Purohit, 15, Renaissance College Hong Kong
3. Chews your ritual carefully
My pre-exam ritual carries on into the exam as well. Before the exam, I pop three pieces of mint gum and chew as hard as I can. The mint really clears my mind, and chewing hard releases my pre-exam nerves before I walk into the room. During the exam, if I get stuck on a problem, I just pop another piece of gum!
Daniel Hurworth, 17, Hong Kong International School
4. It's all in my head
I always scribble some messy, handwritten notes while waiting for the exam. Just before walking into the exam hall, I crumple the notes and throw them away, thankful that I won't need them again. It gives me such satisfaction!
Tinaz Mirza, 16, South Island School
5. A sweet solution
One thing I always do before a big test is drink two cartons of lemon tea. If my hands aren't shaking after that, I eat a packet of Skittles, chewing around three at a time. Eating really helps kick me into action, and I fly through the test with sugar surging through my system. Straight afterwards, though, I collapse. Please don't try this at home - I am a qualified candy abuser.
Catherine Wang, 16, Chinese International School
6. A place for everything
I like putting my stationery on a specific spot before the exam begins. I'll tie together a pen, a pencil, a correction pen, an eraser and a ruler with a rubber band and put it on the left-hand corner of the desk. Then I put my calculator on the right-hand corner. It makes me feel far less nervous. Perfect!
Regina Cheng, 16, Cheung Chuk Shan College
7. No shame in having no shame
Whenever I'm stressed, I always find myself jumping up and down continuously on the spot for at least three minutes. This helps me calm down and clear my head. It also makes everyone stare at me like I'm a weirdo.
Bakhita Fung, 14, Island School
8. Sleep on it, don't cheat on it
The night before the exam, I sleep at 8pm, right after dinner and a hot shower. Yep, I know that's crazy early, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to ace the exam. I find that this ritual is extremely beneficial to my results because, instead of dozing off while doing the exam, I'm more alert, and more aware of what the people beside me are writing. I'm kidding! Sleeping more really helps you focus a lot better!
Christy Cheung, 16, St Paul's Co-educational College
9. Don't be an idiot
Inspired by the movie 3 Idiots, my favourite exam ritual is listening to one of the movie songs, Aal Izz Well, the night before an important exam. After hours of studying, the upbeat tune puts me in a joyful mood, and the lyrics convey an encouraging message. So when encountering life's biggest problems, put your hand on your heart and softly whisper "Aal Izz Well", and you'll muster the courage to overcome whatever challenges await you!
Joy Pamnani, 16, PLK Ngan Po Ling College
10. A moment of faith
I pray before I get into the exam hall. Try my best and God will do the rest!
Charlotte Chan, 16, Carmel Secondary School
Next week:
Rice goes well with many things, but for our next Top 10, tell us what tasty food would be disgusting if eaten withrice? Send your answer, together with your name, age and school, to [email protected] with "Top 10: Rice dishes" in the subject field. The best ones will be published on our next Top 10 page!