As I’ve mentioned before I’m not a big fan of the configuration of most comprehensive exams, but my post on the matter keeps languishing on my out of control To Do list. So, I was really pleased when a friend of mine passed along something that a student had sent him*. The piece is actually about a portion of thesis defenses, but I think it applies most appropriately to comprehensive exams (just substitute writtens for thesis, and add the fact that the guy who picks the snakes is hard of hearing). Regardless, it is short, hilarious and just the sort of thing stressed out students, postdocs, and faculty need to get a little chuckle as they finish up the semester. Go read it.

*Thanks to Joanna Hsu and Peter Adler for passing this along.