A couple of weeks ago, I had a big test coming up that I was really nervous about. I was determined to do well and spent hours studying in Reinert Library.

I have a strict rule that I can’t study late at night, mainly because my mind shuts off by that time. So when 10 o’clock hit, my friend and I leisurely packed our things and were on our way.

I was distracted because of my lack of sleep, my groggy brain, and my friend’s latest gossip, and I did something unthinkable, inexcusable, and embarrassingly stupid. I walked through the F-door.

I immediately began to overthink, as any sane person would. I told myself that it was over, that I shouldn’t even bother taking the test, and that I would never do well.

When the test was placed in front of me the next day, I could have sworn the professor used the same font in the infographic I had seen on the F-door the previous day.

After taking the test, I felt extremely confident that I had done well, but yet again, the sound of the creaking F door repeated over and over again in my head.

I eventually forgot about it and got the Canvas notification with my test results a week later. I did better than expected, felt confident in myself again, and assumed the F-door curse had left my body.

Although you might be concerned for my mental sanity after reading about my thoughts, something can be learned from this experience.

First, what is a superstition? A superstition is a widely held, unjustified belief in a supernatural causation or omen that will lead one to a consequence.

I initially thought I was superstitious only with things people had told me, like how I was so easily persuaded into thinking the F-door was bad luck. However, I have personal superstitions along with society’s mainstream and basic ones.

My personal superstitions include when I see a turkey, my lucky number, or anything related to Franklin, the skateboarding turtle from PBS Kids.

Superstitions can make a bad day good and a good day bad. Something completely mundane can cause people to spiral with anxiety.

What scares me about superstitions is that they are entirely subconscious. People get worked up over mundane things because they heard a rumor about it when they were little.

I have many friends (myself included) who would freak out if they accidentally broke a mirror, walked under a ladder, saw the number 6 three times in a row, or glanced at the number 13.

Society should start looking at things more logically to get over our belief in superstitions. Let’s take it back to 6th-grade science class: correlation does not equal causation.

Finding a four-leaf clover on the mall the same day you receive your acceptance letter to medical school has absolutely no connection.

 You worked hard, studied, networked, volunteered, and dedicated your undergraduate career to getting into medical school.

Why would you forget about all that work you did and think you got in because of a coincidental four-leaf clover? That’s an illogical mindset I wouldn’t want my future doctor to have.

Next time a superstitious omen or event happens to you, think logically. Don’t get worked up over mundane things and add unneeded stress to your tiring life as a college student. Superstitions are almost always subconscious, so breathe and remember that it is all in your head.