First a little background, I come from a family where all that matters is grades and what college you get into. Early this year I was struggling with my chemistry class. I could not get one of my labs to works and started to freak out. So I went online and copied the answers. I have never felt so terrible in my life but I was desperate. My teacher eventually figured out that people were starting to cheat. He told us today in class that if we cheated we have two days to come clean however your grade is going down and your parents will get and email. He said there is a chance he will take it to admin where it will be put on your permanent record. He does like me. I just don’t know whether or not to risk it and possibly get away or to come clean and lose practically everything. Everything being the little amount of respect my parents still have fro me and my chance at any college.
I would confess right away.
Your comments about your family are confusing.
Your first line says that all that matters in your family is grades. Not integrity? Then the last line indicates you will be losing their respect. Is that because of the bad grade or because you failed to be successful at cheating? Perhaps you could think more about what actually matters in your family.
It is very hard to answer a question like this in a forum. We don’t know a lot of details that could influence the answer, and we will never know.
From what you wrote, however, it looks like this is something you felt was very wrong to do. An honest conversation with your teacher may do you good. The very fact you are asking here, and that you are asking like that, tells me that deep inside you want us to tell you to come clean, to give you the last push.
By the way: 30 years from now, this will look like nothing. Do not think you risk “losing everything.” It may look like a big deal now, but there will be a lot of vastly larger deals ahead.
This sounds odd. What about the students who didn’t cheat?? Are their grades going to “go down” as well? It sounds like the teacher doesn’t really know WHO cheated and is using this method hoping the cheaters will come forward. He can’t justify dropping the grades of someone who didn’t cheat…so this is very strange.
Clear your conscience and live with the consequences. Otherwise, you’ll (at least for a while) be constantly looking backwards, worried. Whether they “know” or not doesn’t matter. You know and it will haunt you. As MLK said, “The time is always right to do what’s right.” Good luck.
Fess up, and please don’t carry this behavior with you into college.
“If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don’t have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that’ll be the end of it - I will not look for you, I will not pursue you… but if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you… and I will kill you.”
Your teacher may not be able to prove that you cheated, but he will have his doubts. As MrKamaji said, it is difficult for us to give you a definitive answer based on the little we know, but in such scenarios, it is usually best to come clean. Your grade may take a hit, but the teacher will likely take it easy on you…assuming he has a forgiving nature as most teachers do. Another benefit of coming clean is your own peace of mind.
If you are going to come clean, do not sleep on it. Do not wait until the deadline. Best of luck.
Confess and clear your conscience. Then,don’t cheat and don’t lie anymore. Learn the lesson.
I wonder if the teacher knows of a reason the lab was not supposed to work.