Why Students Cheat and the Consequences of Cheating
Students mainly cheat when they believe they cannot do well on their own. Some college students developed a habit of cheating in high school or even earlier, and do not trust their own ability to succeed in classes. Other students simply don’t know the rules. For example, some students incorrectly think that buying a term paper isn’t cheating. Some think that using a test file (a collection of actual tests from previous terms) is fair behavior.
Cultural and college differences may cause some students to cheat. In other countries and at some U.S. colleges, students are encouraged to review past exams as practice exercises. Some student government associations or student social organizations maintain test files for use by students. Some colleges permit sharing answers and information for homework and other assignments with friends. Make sure you know the policy at your college.
Pressure from others—family, peers, and instructors—might cause some students to consider cheating. And there is no doubt that we live in a competitive society, where winning can trump all other values. But in truth, 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 that 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 other students are. Although you might see some students who seem to be getting away with cheating, such behaviors can have severe and life-changing results. In some cases, students who have cheated on exams have been suspended or expelled, and graduates have had their college degrees revoked.
Here are some steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of problems with academic honesty.
- Know the rules. Learn the academic code for your college by going to its Web site or checking the student handbook.
- Set clear boundaries. Refuse when others ask you to help them cheat. This might be hard to do, but you must say no. Leave your cell phone in your book bag; instructors are often suspicious when they see students looking at their cell phones during an exam.
- Improve time management. Be well prepared for all quizzes, exams, projects, and papers.
- Seek help. Find out where you can get help with study skills, time management, and test taking. If your skills are in good shape but the content of the course is too hard, consult your instructor, join a study group, or visit your campus learning center or tutorial service.
- Withdraw from the course. Your college has a policy about dropping courses and a deadline to drop without penalty. You might decide to drop a 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 something else has caused them to fall behind. But before withdrawing, you should ask about college policies in terms of financial aid and other scholarship programs. See your adviser or counselor before you decide to withdraw.
- 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 doesn’t interest you. If that happens, sit down with counseling or career services professionals or your academic adviser and explore your options.
Make Good Choices
Understand Academic Integrity
Sometimes students are confused about what constitutes dishonest behavior in their college classrooms. There are some actions that are on the line between cheating and being honest. Do you think it is acceptable to get answers from another student who took an exam you’re about to take earlier in the term or in a prior term? What do you believe your instructors think? If you’re not sure, ask your instructors how they view such behavior.