It’s been more than a month since it happened and there is not a single day that I have stopped thinking about it. I thought this was a nightmare. If I just opened my eyes and everything would go back to normal. But it didn’t.
It was a judgement slip and the first time that I did such a thing. The reason was that I was tempted to take the easy path and I did not think much about the consequences before I did it, now I regret it so much and have to pay the price. I studied really hard for a final but I made a cheat sheet just in case I forgot some of the knowledge…HOW STUPID! It was ten minutes after the exam and the sheet was in my hand for the ten minutes. Then I realized I knew all the answers and what risk was I taking here? I changed my mind and wanted to put the sheet inside my pocket. I was so nervous and started to panic…the sheet almost fell out of my hand. It became crumpled and mess up. I wanted to put it back in order. Then my TA came to me. That was how it happened.
I would trade anything to take back that stupid decision that I made in the first place. I am so ashamed and defeated by the weakness of my character. The most heartbreaking part was telling my parents: they were so shocked and saddened but they did not blame me because they knew it would devastate me even more. In fact they have every right to do that: they provided me education and support but I did not live up to their most basic expectation - integrity. I will never do it again.
I am sincerely asking for your help on my appeal. I do not ask for lessening the sanction in the appeal because I know I deserve it. I ask for a postponement. I do not feel comfortable posting it here so can you please look at it through PM?
My biggest question is whether I should include details about the incident, and if so what should I emphasize. I told the story to the Dean and they will attach the notes of my story with the appeal letter to Vice Chancellor. I did not include what exactly happened (did not actually look at the cheat sheet and trying to put it back) in the current version of appeal because I am afraid that it would look like excuses for trying to get away with the sanction. What do you think?
I recommend keeping your note simple, without lots of dramatic detail. (What would you say, “I intended to cheat but the exam was easier than I expected?”) Also the part about how your parents don’t blame you is odd. Who do they blame, the professor? Do not include that discussion either. I don’t need to see your draft, but good luck.
Sounds like they busted you fair and square. I’d almost take your side, but saying stuff like " I am so ashamed and defeated by the weakness of my character" doesn’t exactly help your case. It just sounds pre-fabricated and fake.
The major issue is that you were found in possession of the cheat sheet after the exam - not before. If you had freaked out and disposed of the cheat sheet when you walked into class, it’d be a different story. But you took the entire exam with access to the cheat sheet – even if you didn’t use it, you still had access to privileged information that the rest of the class did not have.
Don’t make your appeal letter some lengthy series of abstractions about morality and shame - keep it concrete and succinct. “I know I screwed the pooch. It was stupid. Poor judgment. I won’t do it again. Here’s why I won’t do it again.” (in more elevated language, of course.)
To get my biases out in the open, I’m heavily involved as faculty in academic integrity issues at my university, and I view defending academic integrity as defending the worth of the degrees my institution confers—so I’m not exactly your most sympathetic audience.
That said, suspension is an unlikely sanction nearly anywhere for a first offense for simple cheating—is that really what you were given? If so, I’d be curious what part of the story we’re not hearing here.
As for the letter, yeah, pretty much what @preamble1776 said.
I’ve never been in your situation, but I do sympathize with you. Yes, you broke the rules, disappointed your parents, and went against your own morals for a letter grade. You need to accept your punishment, and not try to negotiate its terms. But in the scope of eternity, this isn’t the worst thing that you could have done, and better to make get it wrong now (and truly learn from it) than break the law, cheat in a job that involves other people’s lives and possessions, or be unfaithful in a marriage later.
You say it’s been over a month. You need to stop wallowing in shame, forgive yourself, and embrace this opportunity to have a stronger work ethic and a greater devotion to integrity than you’ve ever had before.
I stand by what I said about accepting your punishment, but I’ll still read your appeal if that’s really what you want to do. Keep your chin up.