![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Students share their pre-test rituals
October 2, 2017
Whether it’s taking a power nap or eating a snack, all students have their own pre-test rituals.
For Markus Wong (12), eating serves as a stress-reliever and an energizer when studying for important tests.
“Usually when I’m studying late at night I’ll make myself some ramen or a really bad sandwich, or some earl grey tea,” he said.
Markus also utilizes a variety of techniques in order to avoid sleeping too late while still gaining an extra edge on test day.
“If I don’t want to stay up until 4 am and study and not get enough sleep, I instead have a pre-test fast where I don’t eat lunch,” Markus said. “Then I study before class even though it doesn’t help as much.”
Students also enjoy listening to music while studying for tests. For example, Constance Horng (11) uses music as a way to retain information more effectively.
“I like to listen to music before I take a test to get concentrated and relaxed the night before,” she said. “While walking to class, I just think of that same song, so it jogs my memory, and also during the exam to just keep me relaxed.”
Gary Tsai (12) believes that consistency is the most important aspect in test preparation. He aims to work in an environment free of outside distractions maintains the same studying routine at home.
“I put on my earphones, open up Spotify or Youtube,” he said. “Then I grab my studying materials and move to the living room where it is more spacious and less cluttered. I guess that helps me focus more in a way.”
While some employ a more typical pre-test ritual, other students opt for a more unorthodox approach to prepare for tests.
“[I once saw] a person praying and looking up at the ceiling right before a test,” Constance said.
However way student choose to study, it is important for them to establish good habits and still get plenty of rest.
“You need develop a good study routine and but it needs to be specific to each individual and subject,” upper school Precalculus and AP Calculus AB teacher Dana Lieberman said. “My favorite standard tip [I give] is to get sleep.”
