"Share a picture of a python to do well in the literature exam"... This is one of the "spiritual rituals" that is common among students before important occasions such as the high school graduation exam. According to many candidates, this is a way to help them prepare better mentally before entering the exam room.

Having participated in many major exams such as the gifted student exam, Nguyen Phuong Dung, a student at Quoc Oai High School (Hanoi) said that every time this happens, she performs some "spiritual procedures" such as reciting verses, prayers and praying to her ancestors to be blessed with "returning home in glory". "I also did not eat eggs, duck meat, squash soup... during the past time to avoid the food 'getting into my body', affecting the exam results", the female student said.

In the exam room, Dung also said that she will bring school supplies with the numbers 1, 2, 7, which are her lucky numbers, for example 1 eraser, 2 pencils, 7 pens for both self-defense and "luck". "If the exam room supervisor allows, I will bring along beans and a talisman from the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam to place on my exam desk to receive blessings of luck", Dung added.

Going to places of worship to pray for success in exams is also a popular form of "spiritual practice" for students nearing exam season. For example, despite having prepared thoroughly in terms of knowledge, Nhu Y, a student at Ernst Thälmann High School (HCMC), still went to the temple with her family to pray for luck.

Being vegetarian since the beginning of June 2023 in the hope that "sweet fruit" will come in the high school graduation exam is also a unique "spiritual procedure" of Huynh Le Nhu An, a student at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School (HCMC). An said that in addition to "abstaining" from eating and drinking, she also reads Tarot cards to "listen to the messages of the universe and 'dream' before the exam results".

On the other hand, Dao Nguyen Hoang Tung, a student at the same school, chose not to go to the temple or do other "spiritual procedures" but only believed in the knowledge he had prepared for the exam. "It is the ability and effort of each individual that helps me achieve good results. The 'spiritual procedures' that people often do may only help me be more mentally stable," the male student expressed his opinion.

Agreeing with Tung, Doan Huong Giang, also studying at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School, said that there are many other more practical solutions to have a comfortable mentality. Specifically, the female student shared: "I received a lot of encouragement and good wishes from family, friends and teachers. In my opinion, this is the strongest source of motivation, the best internal and external psychological preparation for me."

In addition, the female student also feels more confident when she is supported by the student force during the exam season as well as the police and medical staff who are always on duty to help. From then on, Giang believes that believing in her own abilities is the most effective mental medicine because the whole society has created all the conditions for her.