Cross-Cultural Conversations

Observations by a Malaysian studying in Australia

The Copycat Can

My single biggest problem since I started uni is my inability to concentrate during lectures. So far I have not missed a single lecture, but I honestly can’t tell you what went on in the lecture hall because my mind is busy somewhere else.

Most of the time I’m busy thinking of what to have for lunch, (or dinner, depending on the time of lecture) so today, I filled my stomach with those dense muesli bars to make sure my mind would not have an excuse to wander away from the lecture.

But you can only do so much. After 10 solid minutes of Chemistry, I thought of my high school days back in Malaysia. It’s funny how you only remember the juvenile, immature behaviour you were capable of back then. No one ever reminisces about the time he paid undivided attention during Biology class, or the time he got praised by teachers for being so obedient. The things that people love the most during their good ol’ days of high school usually have very few elements of goodness in them.

One of the most memorable aspects of my secondary school life is copying during exams. Now in uni, it takes too much effort to copy, and I’m no longer in the right age bracket anyway to indulge in such childish misdemeanour. But back then, when plagiarism sheets were non-existent and our sense of conscience hadn’t developed, it was the only way to go…

We found that the most efficient way of copying in our class was the chalk method. The sides of the desk were broad enough to enable us to write the questions we were unsure of, and the answers which the person sitting next to you would provide. It was discreet, and the chalk could easily be wiped off to get rid of the evidence.

Another efficient method was the Scratch system. We would signal, usually through a slight cough or sneeze, that we were stuck. Once you’ve caught the attention of the friend sitting next to you, you’d signal the question number with your fingers. He would then give the answer with any one of four signs: Scratch forehead –A, scratch nose- B, scratch chin –C, scratch ear –D.

My least favourite method was the Eraser way, where you write the question number and subsequent answer on the surface of the eraser. It proved to be highly inefficient, as it was terribly difficult to scrub off the pen marks on the eraser.

Initially we used to be able to choose our seats during tests, so we made sure we sat next or close to people of similar intelligence, and more importantly, similar generosity. Nothing is more awkward than when a friend desperately sneezes and coughs for answers, only for the other friend to pretend not to notice.

However, the school administration started to get systematic, and soon enough we found ourselves seated according to alphabetical order. I found myself sitting a fair distance away from my regular copying friends. This distance problem was somewhat solved with the Paper Ball.

I would write down a list of questions I needed answers to on a small piece of paper that I would scrunch up into a tight ball, and ask to go to the toilet. On my way to the door I would pass by a friend whom I’d discreetly slip the paper ball to. Upon my return, he would just as discreetly pass the paper back to me with some answers and a few question marks next to the list of questions that he himself can’t do. The problem with this method is that the person sitting right in front, where the entrance door is located, is unable to employ this method.

Copying was not only academically rewarding, it was also, for a while, financially fulfilling. I once made a deal with a friend to provide him half of my answers to an exam paper for 5 ringgit. This was at a time when my grades were starting to slip, and I knew I had to take advantage of what’s left before my intelligence level plummets to perpetual stupidity.

That was ages ago, but the memory of my childhood copying days will always linger, as I sit in the great expanse of the lecture hall, completely oblivious to what the lecturer is talking about.

posted by: Tembaga2 at 18:28 | link | comments |