<p>So it may sound odd but typically before a huge test i will write a bunch of stuff on a slip of paper which helps me retain some information I'm not sure about before a test (and of course put the slip of paper away) and quickly try and regurgitate the information I've just looked at. Anyways I had a made a sheet of paper before the a bio test and quickly looked it over and stuffed it in my pencil case before the exam started as I was finishing the exam my pencil case unfortunately tipped over all over the table in which case in a hurried scramble in order for the paper to not be seen did not see the slip of paper fall into the unstapled exam. My professor now thinks that I used the piece of paper to cheat, which I would never do to jeopardize my chances of transferring to a UC or private school and had no reason to cheat due to the fact that I had extra days to study and that I knew most of the information on the test. I have sent my professor and practically an essay explaining that I'm an honors student, 3.7 GPA and wouldn't disrespect her like that. Do you think something like this would be on my transcript? Or worst case senario I receive a 0 on the exam and fail the class. I am a bio major and would never cheat my way through school. I wouldn't want my own doctor or anyone else in charge of my health and well being having cheated their way into school. Any thoughts on what may happen?</p>
<p>first, my son does the same thing. The first time I found one of those peices of paper in the floor of his room, I thought he had cheated on a test. Then he explained it to me, and showed me a number of other papers just like it. He folds a peice of paper in 1/2, writes some things on one side, and then some trigger words on the other. I have no idea how that helps his memory, but he says it does. He also uses paper like this for a “to do” list of things he needs to look up or work on. It is something that he can carry around and study inbetween classes, and something that he can glance at prior to the test for a refresher. </p>
<p>My point is that I do understand why the prof thought you may have been cheating. It was a “cheat sheet”, but used for studying. I would go to him and explain it to him exactly like you did here. In the future, make sure that the sheet is in a place where it will not fall out of a bag and on the floor during the test.</p>