My Friend Keeps Copying My Work
I have an assignment due tomorrow, and it came as a bit of a surprise since I missed school on Friday when the teacher gave us the instructions. They were quite vague too!
A close friend, whom I’ll call Suzy, reached out to fill me in on what the teacher said. Based on her understanding, it seemed straightforward: we need to find simple explanations for the given topics, write them down, and provide our own examples. The assignment was meant to be an individual task to evaluate our understanding of the material so far.
However, it seems that the ambiguity of the instructions has led Suzy to decide that I should do the work for her. Yesterday, she texted me asking for my assignment so she could copy it. I responded that I hadn’t even started yet and wasn’t sure what to write. You’d think that would encourage her to take initiative, but no. This morning, she texted again, simply asking, “Can you send me the assignment?” No “please” or any sign of willingness to contribute—just an expectation that I’d let her copy it exactly.
After reiterating that I hadn’t made any progress, particularly since I wasn’t in class, she asked if I would be at school tomorrow, probably hoping to copy it before class starts. I replied vaguely that I wasn’t sure. A reasonable person would take that hint, but not her. She insisted, “Even then, just send it.” Once again, I explained that I had no idea what to write. Her response? “Just send it once you write it.” Seriously, does she not get the message? 🤦🏻♀️
This isn’t the first time Suzy has asked me for my work, and she often copies it verbatim—no edits, just the same wording I used. As a business student, I’m currently focused on subjects like accounting, which can be tricky without proper practice. My teacher assigns us about 2-4 questions for homework, and given that this is my final year, it’s essential for me to grasp the material. Yet every time, Suzy messages me to ask for my completed work. I’m happy to help if she genuinely doesn’t understand, but this isn’t the case.
It’s the same story with other subjects too. For instance, in English, we often have creative writing assignments, and once, Suzy asked for my work as a “reference.” I shared it, but the next day, she turned it in word for word as her own. This behavior doesn’t stop with her; she spreads it around the class, resulting in everyone submitting identical assignments.
I’ve tried being polite about it, wondering if I was overreacting, but it’s incredibly frustrating to spend hours perfecting my work, only for someone else to copy it in minutes. Eventually, I replied to her insistence with a suggestion to do the assignment on her own and look for resources like Google to assist with her research. She took offense and responded with a curt, “Ok, bye.”
Does anyone have advice on how to handle this? I’m concerned she might twist my reaction into a different story and spread it to our classmates. 🤦🏻♀️
It sounds like you’re in a really frustrating situation! It’s tough when someone you consider a friend takes advantage of your hard work, especially when it’s about something as important as your education. Here are a few suggestions that might help:
Set Boundaries: It’s okay to let Suzy know that you’re not comfortable sharing your work with her anymore. You’ve already expressed it, but reinforcing that boundary can help both of you. You could say something like, “I need to focus on my own assignments right now, and I can’t share my work.”
Communicate Clearly: If Suzy confronts you again, remain firm but calm. You could explain that you believe part of learning is doing the work yourself, and you want to support her in figuring things out on her own.
Suggest Alternatives: If she asks for help again, you could point her toward resources like textbook examples or online tutorials that can guide her in completing her work. This way, you’re still being supportive without directly giving her your work.
Talk to a Teacher: If the situation escalates and you feel uncomfortable, consider talking to a teacher. They might be able to suggest solutions or keep an eye on how Suzy interacts with you regarding assignments.
Protect Your Work: For future assignments, you could consider being less specific with your classmates about what you’re working on or even keep your drafts private until after you’ve submitted.
Evaluate the Friendship: It might also be worth reflecting on whether this friendship is beneficial for you. A good friend should respect your efforts and not take advantage of your kindness.
Remember, it’s important to prioritize your own education and take care of your mental well-being in these situations. Good luck!