So I let sent a friend a picture of a quiz that I had earlier than her. I knew she was struggling in the class, so I wanted to just help her out a bit, though I know this by no means excuses my actions. It was a stupid lapse of judgment and giving in to peer pressure that I wish I could take back. I have a hearing with the “honor council” in 2 days, and I am going to prepare a letter of apology to the teacher. I will completely accept whatever consequences come my way, but I was just wondering what would be the worse consequence? (I go to a private school) I am usually a good student with a perfect academic record and no disciplinary actions, but that was in middle school and will not help me now. I have something prepared for the things I am going to say, which is all the typical stuff, I’m really sorry, it won’t happen again, I’ll accept whatever consequences. Is there anything else I should say to them? It’s not about avoiding punishment, but I just need them to know that I completely regret it. Thanks all!
What happened?
I don’t know what I’m taking about, but here goes…
You seem to be genuinely sorry and accepting responsibility. If you do it again, that would be bad, but otherwise, I don’t think that this one incident will ruin your future. You can probably look up your school’s policy on cheating (many schools have it on their website/handbook). Every school is different. This would probably mean a Saturday School at my hs, but yours might be detention(s) or a suspension. It’s probably best to act sorry and check the school policy.
I would say something like that your intention was to help a friend…but you realize now that sharing your quiz doesn’t help her at all. Tutoring and answering questions is helping…sharing a quiz is cheating. ALso you realize how you are cheating her in that she doesn’t learn the material, cheating the other classmates and also cheating yourself because she was to get a grade she doesn’t deserve. Also you realize you succumbed to "bad’ peer pressure…you knew it was wrong but did it anyway. You want to find out if the HS has any clubs/classes on resisting peer pressure so you can do some roleplaying and get techniques on how to be stronger. You apologize to the teacher, classmates and the honor council and you realize this is an honor code violation but that you have learned from it and will accept the consequences.
As an adult, I would think that the school realizes that stuff like this happens all the time and they want you to learn not to do it now as if you did the same thing in college you coudl fail the class, be removed from the class or even from the university. So I woudl not think you would have a drastic punishment.