Scented pencils and student grades

It has been documented that the more often students used scented pencils, the higher their average grades. A seven-week experiment was conducted at Wheeling Jesuit University in the United States. At the beginning of the academic year, the psychology department distributed mint-scented pencils to first-year students. Students were then asked how often they used these pencils. Those who wrote with the scented pencils several times a week achieved an average grade of 3.2. Those who used the pencils several times a month had an average grade of 2.4. The average grade for those who didn't use the scented pencils at all was 2.1. Psychology professor Dr. Bryan Raudenbush, who coordinated the study, concluded that the specific scent of mint, rather than any scent at all, contributed to better grades. Mint increased concentration. Students were more focused and therefore studied more effectively.