Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
Students listen keenly to tips given at the Youthlink writing techniques seminar held at the Girl Guides Association of Jamaica headquarters on Waterloo Road, St. Andrew, on April 19. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
IT'S THAT time of the month again! No, not that time. It is the beginning of May and all across the island students of tertiary and secondary level schools are preparing for examinations.
In order to cope with the pressures associated with this time, many students will become deeply involved in varying degrees of nail-biting and hair-pulling tirades.
But there are those enterprising few who have come up with unique study methods and hold on dearly to ancient superstitions, with the firm belief that if, and only if they stick to these bizarre routines, the results of their exams will be favourable.
The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona is a hotbed of superstition whenever exam time comes around.
POPULAR FABLE
One popular fable involves the dozens of yellow poui trees on the property. It is said (and has been for years) that if the yellow blossoms of the trees start falling off and you have not yet started studying for your exams, then you're doomed to fail.
"It's true. I don't care how strange it sounds," said Aketa Palmer, 22. "I have been here three years and my second year was the only one that I saw the blossoms falling before I started studying. Lo, and behold, I failed two courses that year."
He added that he learned his lesson the hard way and ever since then, he has made a special effort each year to "first di flowers".
Things often take a foul turn during this time as, believe it or not, there are those rank rebels who believe that not showering for the entire duration of the examinations improves their chances of getting good grades.
We met up with a foetid few who (understandably) told us under terms of anonymity that they swear by this method, no matter how revolted their friends get.
"Look, man. I am not here to make friends. I am here to get good grades and I believe that this works." said one determined radical. "What must I do? Go against what I believe because somebody else might vex? Not at all!" said one determined radical.
MEAL CHOICE
But stranger tales have been told. At the Northern Caribbean University (NCU), many students have professed their allegiance to corned beef and cabbage when exams beckon.
They say this has been their meal of choice that has led them to numerous exam passes for years, and they have no plans of breaking this trend.
Other students of the Seventh-day Adventist institution said their preparation for exams involve a higher power.
Several students said they
routinely engage in fasting in order to feel closer to God during this time, as they are sure that He will lead them on the path to good grades.
