By: Katrina Penaflor Managing Editor
Madeline Meyers, a twenty-something philosophy major, has come across a new solution to getting out of taking a test:
“Just swallow it.”
The trend Meyers has coined as “di-testing” (you know, like digesting but you eat a freakin’ test) is happening all over campus.
“You really have to make a scene out of it. Get dramatic, crumple up the paper, and scarf it down in front of your professor. They’ll think you’re crazy and you’ll definitely get out of the test,” said a sophomore student who wished to remain anonymous.
But what is the success rate? Will consuming a packet of paper really get you out of taking a midterm? Won’t teachers try to reschedule?
“Sometimes,” said Meyers. “But if you really freak them out, the teacher will probably just give you a pass at taking it. It’s a much simpler solution to actually studying.”
Simpler? Something tells me chewing and consuming multiple pages of printer paper is not easier than actually studying for a test.
Ava Belle, a fitness instructor on campus who teaches several of the yoga and Pilates classes at WOU, has her own opinion. “This stuff won’t fly, not on my watch. I had a kid try and swallow a yoga mat the other day. That was the last straw.”
Some say the reason behind the di-testing is an increased amount of stress among students, especially seniors who are on the verge of graduating.
I spoke with a senior, currently enrolled in 22 credits if the di-testing was worth giving a try. They responded, “Honestly, I’ll literally try anything at this point if it means less work and still being able to graduate.”
Roger Phillips, a freshman, was asked why he participated in di-testing, and if it had anything to do with stress.
“Stress? No. I’m not really all that stressed. I wasn’t even trying to get out of taking it. I saw this kid next to me do it, so I followed him and ate the biology midterm. I thought it was part of the exam process.”
I didn’t even bother to try and ask him another question after that. I simply left the interview, closed out this story, and continued on with my life.
Contact the author at journalmanaging@wou.edu or on Twitter @JournalKatrina
