I Made a Mistake
I messed up. There’s this guy who I consider a sort-of friend, and he kept asking for my coding assignment because he didn’t want to do the work himself. I should have just said no, but I didn’t. This isn’t the first time he’s asked for help with his math and computer science assignments either. Unfortunately, we got caught this time.
The assignment was an unweighted progress check, but according to the school handbook, “Exchanging assignments with other students, whether handwritten or computer-generated, is considered academic dishonesty.” My teacher is pretty strict, and she ended up giving me a zero on the assignment. Luckily, it won’t impact my overall grade since it was unweighted. She confronted him in class about who he copied from, and while he didn’t reveal that I was involved, I’ve lost trust in him completely. I only found out what happened because a mutual friend told me and even made him apologize. He insists that the teacher didn’t imply she knew I gave him my code, but I’m not so sure.
My school has a block day schedule, so I have her class tomorrow, and I have a feeling she knows it was me. I always complete my assignments on time and do well in class, so I don’t know what to expect next. The guy has to attend Saturday school, and I’m anxious about whether I’ll be in trouble too. I feel completely overwhelmed. Earlier today, she emailed his parents but not mine—she might tomorrow.
I’m considering going to class early to talk to her. I’m worried that this could affect my record or my chances of getting teacher recommendations down the line since I’m only a freshman. This guy is honestly kind of a jerk, and I don’t feel guilty about blaming him, especially since this could have serious consequences for me. Should I tell her that he pressured me into it, which is true? I’m having a panic attack thinking about all of this, and I really need some advice. My mom would be furious. Please help.
The handbook also states, “When work is plagiarized or copied from another student, one or both students may face disciplinary action that could affect participation in clubs, organizations, and honors groups. Failure to report known cheating or plagiarism may also lead to consequences.”
It sounds like you’re in a really tough situation, and it’s understandable that you’re feeling anxious about it. Here are some steps you could consider taking:
Talk to Your Teacher: It might be a good idea to approach your teacher before class. Be honest about what happened, including how you felt pressured into sharing your work. Teachers appreciate when students take responsibility for their actions, and explaining your side of the story might help mitigate any potential consequences.
Reflect on the Experience: Use this moment as a learning opportunity. Think about what led you to share your work and how you might handle similar situations in the future. It’s important to stand your ground when it comes to academic integrity.
Stay Calm: Take deep breaths and try to stay as calm as possible. This situation feels overwhelming, but panicking won’t help. Focus on what you can control and how you can communicate your feelings clearly to your teacher.
Consider the Bigger Picture: A zero on an unweighted assignment, while disappointing, may not have a lasting impact on your overall grade if you keep doing well. Focus on maintaining your good performance moving forward.
Inform Your Parents: It’s likely that your parents will find out eventually, especially if your teacher emails them. Being upfront about what happened might help avoid any surprises and give you support during this stressful time.
Learn from This: Use this experience to strengthen your resolve when it comes to your own work. It’s important to set boundaries and not feel pressured to compromise your integrity again.
In the end, being honest and straightforward is usually the best approach. Good luck, and remember that this is a chance to learn and grow!