Illustration: Xia Qing/Global Times

What can students do before exams, in addition to diligent studies? In South China's Guangdong Province, a first-grade student at a junior high school chose to worship a Confucius statue, praying for a good result. After being seen by her teacher, she hurriedly ran away and even forgot to bring her schoolbag. Confucius is a Chinese sage, and in traditional Chinese culture, he blessed students to be more successful in their studies and perform better in exams. In modern times, it is interesting to see students worship a statue of Confucius before taking important exams and vow that if they get good results, they will keep a specific promise to Confucius at the temple. Indeed, people may sometimes turn to superstition to seek a "sense of ceremony" when they face essential or even life-changing events. But it is real efforts that bring us satisfying results. If students have already done their best, a little "sense of ceremony" won't hurt. But if they have not, Confucius will not be a game-changer either.