<p>Advice which you should take is contained in an above post re:writing an essay of apology,if you can deal with the consequences which could be severe this would be an admission of guilt. But you better talk to your parents first before taking any advice as they care about your welfare more than anybody else.</p>
<p>Funny... I was accused of cheating when I wasn't cheating. But I write this because I know the feeling of that panic... fortunately I had innocence on my side. </p>
<p>I think dukiex3 says it pefectly... this is the only way "out" of your predicament.
You did the act
They know you did the act
NOW all they want is to see that you have learned from the mistake (why do you think punishment is used in society?), you have reflected on your poor desicion and that you understand what you have done. Writing them a letter explaining the whole situation from the bottom of your heart is THE ONLY thing you have left. If you have to go along with the lie that you bought it from someone IN that letter... then I understand that, that's your choice. </p>
<p>Personally I would say that you were overcome by temptation the day it was on her desk, you gave it little thought and go into how you have never done it before... don't know why you did it... and what you have learned. TALK about your understanding of what will happen with their trust, the consequences, etc. Look, these people will be dissappointed... but if you come out and show the true person you are... they will without a doubt understand. Put yourself in their shoes. You think they've never cheated before? You think they've never realized they've made a stupid mistake and risked someone's trust that meant a lot to them and wanted to never have to face that person ever again?</p>
<p>They have... we all have. You made a mistake, and the fact that no on has sympathy with you on these boards is because you represent the person that cheats them out of "why they're here"... their grades and college acceptances. If someone says they've never cheated.... either they are a pure genious, not competitive or they are lying. I did a paper on cheating within the education system, a two month research project... </p>
<p>Be yourself.... think this through... you'll get through it bud!
Ry</p>
<p>DO NOT follow the advice in the above post!</p>
<p>why is that?</p>
<p>If you confess,you MUST stop making up excuses and tell the whole truth. The teachers and administrators are a lot smarter than you think you are. Do not tell any half-truths,excuses or rationalizations. You stole,cheated and lied. You alone are responsible.</p>
<p>don't you think that if he had a legitimate reason that they would at the very least go easy on him.</p>
<p>To continue with the lie that you bought it from another student is just another lie;and it in no way makes you less culpable. In fact,it shows premeditation vs. an act of impulse when you took it from the desk. Either way you are in serious trouble.</p>
<p>I will give you my honest answer. I don't have any sympathy for you whatsoever, because people like you make me feel like I have wasted my time, energy and effort into studying for tests and getting the best grades I could get. I'm glad you got caught and I'm glad that your teacher feels betrayed. And it sickens me how you're asking a bunch of strangers to reassure you that everything will be okay by telling your sob story. </p>
<p>Guess what? It won't. Consider yourself lucky that you aren't in college right now because you would have to attend a hearing and you would be dragging your professor into this mess because you couldn't take the time to actually study. The department and the dean of the college wouldn't give a rat's behind if you have "family problems" because that's not a legitimate reason for you to knowingly cheat. You KNEW what you were doing was wrong, and yet you STILL did it anyway. Also, you wouldn't be in this predicament if you had spent the time studying instead of devising a plan to cheat and think up lies to tell authority. </p>
<p>What goes around comes around. Stop asking for sympathy from us, tell the truth to your teacher and principal and deal with the consequences of your actions. You're responsible for your actions, so own up to your mistakes. If you can't do that in high school and you're a senior(?), you are going to have a very tough time in college.</p>
<p>He has no legitimate reason. Who are you kidding?</p>
<p>oaky, you have a point there.^
why is it that people keep saying "I have no sympathy for you". All of us cheat at one time or another. Why punish/make people feel bad about one tiny mistake that we've ALL done before.</p>
<p>smurfette has it right! Besides does anyone really believe that this is Genius' first criminal act and first time cheating?</p>
<p>stuck-on-1700: We all now know you better. Don't rationalize your behavior by accusing others.</p>
<p>Garrity wrote: "Get used to being treated like a low life."
Good gravy, Garrity! This person has conveyed a deep sense of shame for he/she did and is looking for advice. If the person confesses and does not implicate anyone else and apologizes sincerely, they should be forgiven. Certainly heavy punishment is warranted but so is forgiveness IF they tell the whole truth.</p>
<p>Garrity wrote: "One's true character is revealed only under pressure." Very true. Under this kind of self impossed pressure, he/she can redeem their character by doing the right thing. They are not, by any means, doomed for life.</p>
<p>What the OP did was severe. He stole a test, which is considered the property of the teacher. And then LIED about it. That not just cheating, it's theft. Stop treating the situation as if he/she just copied answers off of his/her neighbor. </p>
<p>You're comparing apples to oranges here.</p>
<p>"rationalize my behavior"? what's that supposed to mean? </p>
<p>And no one didn't cheat at one time or another. I'm not the only one.</p>
<p>Brighty: The OP is seeking sympathy and making excuses for a criminal act followed by lies. Your sympathy will just encourage more excuses and rationalizations. Your post is not doing any favors for Genius.</p>
<p>Garrity, I have expressed no sympathy or excuses for the person. Only encouragement to tell the truth, take the punishment, and move on having learned from a mistake.</p>
<p>insulting the OP won't help either. explaining politely and without accusations would go a long way. It's called: communication.</p>
<p>Letting Genius face the consequences for a criminal act and lies is called accepting responsibility and maturing. Letting one go after being caught and saying I,m sorry
,just teaches one not to get caught.</p>
<p>And it is not called communication it is called reality,honesty,morality and maturity.</p>