Why Students Cheat and the Consequences of Cheating

Some students develop a habit of cheating in high school and believe that they cannot do well without cheating. Other students simply don’t know the rules. In a survey at the University of South Carolina, 20 percent of students incorrectly thought that buying a term paper wasn’t cheating. Forty percent thought that using a test file (a collection of actual tests from previous terms) was fair behavior. Sixty percent thought that it was acceptable to get answers from someone who had taken the exam earlier in the same or in a prior term. What do you think?

Cultural and campus differences may cause some students to cheat. In other countries and on some U.S. campuses, students are encouraged to review past exams as practice exercises. Some student government associations maintain test files for use by students. Some campuses permit sharing answers and information for homework and other assignments with friends. Make sure that you know the policy on your specific campus.

Pressures from others—family, peers, and instructors—might cause some students to consider cheating. And there is no doubt that we live in a very competitive society. In truth, however, grades are nothing if you cheat to earn them. Even if your grades help you get a job, it is what you have actually learned that will help you keep the job and be promoted. If you haven’t learned what you need to know, you won’t be ready to work in your chosen field.

Sometimes, lack of preparation will cause students to cheat. Perhaps they tell themselves that they aren’t really dishonest and that cheating just “one time” won’t matter. But if you cheat one time, you’re more likely to do it again.

Cheating in college is not uncommon, and researchers have found that first-year students are more likely to cheat than students in their sophomore, junior, or senior years. Although you might see some students who seem to be getting away with cheating, the consequences of such behaviors can be severe and life-changing. Recent cases of cheating on examinations have caused some college students to be suspended or expelled and even to have their college degrees revoked. The box below outlines some steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of problems.

GUIDELINES FOR ACADEMIC HONESTY

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  1. Know the rules. Learn the academic code for your college by going to its Web site. Also learn about any department guidelines on cheating. Study course syllabi. If an instructor does not clarify standards and expectations, ask exactly what they are.
  2. Set clear boundaries. Refuse when others ask you to help them cheat. It might be hard to do, but you must say “no.” In test settings keep your answers covered and your eyes down. Put all extraneous materials away, including cell phones. Because cell phones enable text messaging, instructors are rightfully suspicious when they see students looking at them during an exam.
  3. Improve time management. Be well prepared for all quizzes, exams, projects, and papers, which might mean unlearning habits such as procrastination (see Chapter 2, Time Management).
  4. Seek help. Find out where you can obtain assistance with study skills, time management, and test taking. If your methods are in good shape but the content of the course is too difficult, consult your instructor, join a study group, or visit your campus learning center or tutorial service.
  5. Withdraw from the course. Your institution has a policy about dropping courses and a deadline to drop without penalty. You might decide to drop only the course that’s giving you trouble. Some students choose to withdraw from all classes and take time off before returning to school if they find themselves in over their heads or if a long illness, a family crisis, or some other unexpected occurrence has caused them to fall behind. Before withdrawing, you should ask about campus policies as well as ramifications in terms of federal financial aid and other scholarship programs. See your adviser or counselor.
  6. Reexamine goals. Stick to your own realistic goals instead of giving in to pressure from family members or friends to achieve impossibly high standards. You might also feel pressure to enter a particular career or profession that is of little or no interest to you. If that happens, sit down with counseling or career services professionals or your academic adviser and explore alternatives.