EXAMS & TEQUILA

Exams are like tequila–without proper preparation, they’re both sure to kindle a cruel, pungent taste in your mouth and a sharp wince in your facial expressions. Despite the striking similarities, I loathe formal examinations. Still, I continuously long for an unopened bottle of Patron Silver.

I know what you’re thinking, but I promise the above introduction does possess both merit and relevance. I am going to spend the rest of my post sharing an inspiring tale that was told to me only a short while ago.

When out this past last week, my roommate and I pulled up a couple of stools at a bar downtown. I’ll refrain from using the bar’s name in order to add to the story’s obscurity.

A few minutes after we ordered our first round, a man sat down to my right. He was a few years older (He must have been a graduate student) and arguably in need of a razor. He wore a baseball cap, an unbuttoned, button down plaid shirt, and a clean pair of skinny jeans. He spoke first and proceeded to dictate much of the conversation. He noticed I was drinking tequila and commended me on the selection. At first, I thought he was simply admiring my decision to ask for tequila before dinnertime, but I was clearly mistaken.

I soon learned that he was a TA pursuing a Master’s in some sphere of environmental science. He explained to me that tequila measurably contributed to his academic success. According to the man, before each of his most critical exams he would pull a shot of tequila to ease his nerves. Eventually, pouring tequila soon became some sort of superstitious, pre-exam ritual in order to better ensure a favorable outcome.

I’ll end with this–The man’s story both tickled and enthused me. I have one more week of college. I have four exams left–none of which I have cracked a book for. Conveniently in my freezer, I am chilling a bottle of tequila with approximately six ounces left (1.5 oz. per shot).