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The night before a big test, most students study their notes or try to get a good night’s sleep. But for many, preparing for an exam also involves a small ritual: wearing a lucky item, saying a prayer, or following a specific routine before walking into the classroom.
These habits may not appear in any study guide, but they are surprisingly common—especially during high-pressure moments like final exams or standardized tests.
With SATs, PSATs, and AP Exams coming up, I found myself curious. How do these suppositions apply to students and staff at Nashua North?
Math teacher Mrs. Leone says she has seen several of these traditions over the years.
“I used to have a lucky pencil," she said. “An old student of mine would take one of those little stuffed animals I keep in my classroom and put it on his desk during every test. It was a different one every time—he said it was for emotional support.”
For some students, the ritual involves a personal object they wear every day. Sophomore Amisha Porwal says a ring she wears has become part of her test-day routine.
“I have this,” she said, holding up an elegant gold ring on her finger. “I wear it all the time, but if I didn’t have it on during a test, I’d feel weird because I’m used to touching it. You know?”
Others turn to more spiritual habits. Junior Mahliqa says prayer and protective symbols help her feel more prepared before exams.
“Before tests I say a lot of short prayers,” she said. “I also have one where I write my name because it gives me comfort. And I always wear a black string near my ankle to ward off nazar [the evil eye].”
Even small personal routines can become part of how students prepare mentally for important test dates. For example, I always wear the same hoodie for every final exam and standard test. My classmate, Olivia, likes to joke that me wearing my hoodie is also her good luck charm.
While it probably doesn't change our scores, putting it on before a test has become part of my routine and helps me (and apparently Olivia…) feel ready.
These rituals may seem irrational, psychology suggests that they can still have an effect. The placebo effect is a phenomenon in which people experience real results simply because they believe something will help them, even if it has no direct physical effect. According to Britannica, this improvement may be caused by a person's expectations about the treatment rather than the treatment itself.
In many cases, the benefit of a superstition may not come from the object or ritual itself, but from the confidence it creates. When students feel calmer and more prepared, they may be able to focus better during a test.
Whether it is a lucky pencil, a favorite ring, a quiet prayer, or even a comfortable hoodie, these small rituals remain a common part of test day for many students. Even if the superstition itself does not change the outcome, the confidence it brings just might.
