Every exam week, my sister Gabriela, senior data science and mathematics double-major at the University of Arizona, practices a rigorous ritual that involves studying while the famous “Twilight” saga plays in the background. Once her exam day arrives, she always insists on wearing the same black blouse, all in the name of good luck. When I asked her why, she confessed that it stemmed from the need to watch a show or film that was entertaining but not distracting enough to interfere with her studies. What began as a habit became an obsession that now guarantees her perfect grades.
Pop culture — such as TV series, music, films, fashion and even memes — have a powerful influence on students’ daily lives. Some may think that consuming these products can interfere with learning and distract students from academics, but for many others, they serve as outlets and give space for community. In my experience, they serve as a good luck charm, making their role in stress management worthy of greater recognition.
Pre-exam habits go beyond watching your favorite movies. For some, focusing on their appearance is what prepares them to face their academic challenges. Lila Foote, senior environmental science major, shared a little quirk she has when taking exams.
“Oh, I always have to be fitted,” Foote said. “I don’t think I get good luck. I haven’t associated that, but I know that most exams I’ve taken that I’ve done well on, I was in a cute outfit.”
Clothes don’t make us smarter, but they certainly increase confidence. Feeling good about our appearance contributes to a sense of readiness that helps us face whatever the day throws our way. However, it is not enough just to look good; it is also important to have a good attitude. Deven Kirpalani, sophomore Earth and environmental geosciences major, said he takes certain steps to motivate himself before taking an exam.
“I like to have a pep talk from a friend, maybe just to cheer me up or get in the zone,” Kirpalani said. “And then when I’m really in the zone, I remember a quote from my sister — ‘breathe in confidence and exhale doubt.’”
While some students like Kirpilani turn to encouragement from friends and family, others turn to fictional heroes for motivation. Arturo Bayardo, senior engineering major, said watching One Piece helps him cope with exam stress.
“It’s just motivating,” Bayardo said. “Especially every time Luffy says he’ll be the king of pirates. That’s all I need, really.”
Beyond individual motivations, sharing these habits builds relationships between students who are burdened by school. You’ve probably seen a funny video on TikTok that humorously portrays how tough college life can be. For example, when being away from home starts to weigh on me emotionally, I find myself sending funny reels about how sad it can be living alone to friends who are going through the same things, and we laugh about the bad times together. These cultural products, however insignificant they may seem, become a shared language that allows us to say, “I’m not struggling alone.”
It is important to remember that there are cases where boundaries are crossed. Binge-watching series during exam seasons can affect factors such as sleep and harm your performance in class. The key is not in eliminating them, but to integrate them in moderation: study, rest and allow yourself an episode, playlist or words of motivation from your favorite characters as part of your routine.
From watching “Twilight” on repeat to dressing with extra care or drawing strength from family and anime heroes, what may seem like simple quirks are actually a form of resistance against exhaustion. It is time to rethink our definition of productivity: it is not only what and how much we study that counts, but also what keeps us sane. And if that includes sparkling vampires and Christina Perri’s wonderful voice singing “A Thousand Years,” maybe that’s not so bad.
