So, I got caught stealing at my school’s university cafe market for residents. I feel so embarrassed, ashamed, and helpless. It’s all I think about. I never steal, and I’m typically a good student. I met with someone from student affairs and I’m wondering if this case with stealing will be on my transcripts, have the ability to affect my FAFSA, scholarships, and will it be difficult for me to get a career once I graduate? It was a stupid mistake. And I keep worrying about my future.
Those are good questions to ask your college advisor. We don’t know the school or its policies. Are you over 18? Have formal charges been pressed? Do your schlorship terms and conditions mention behavior or just maintaining a minimum GPA?
As much as worrying about your future, you should ask yourself why you felt compelled to steal to begin with. Was it because you can’t afford to eat or were you thrill-seeking? Your answer should tell you who you should see next, after you talk to your advisor.
Please visit the counseling center on campus. Make an appointment and keep it. There’s something under this behavior that you can remedy. You aren’t doomed. Good luck.
Be honest with yourself. You say you “never” steal, yet you stole and you got caught. No more “never” for you. That’s the risk you take whenever you steal. Rather than ruminate about it, figure out how to prevent it in the future so that you don’t have to feel the guilt/remorse that you feel now and so that you don’t impact your future in a negative way. See your advisor or other school officials, seek counseling. Do the right thing.
You need to ask these questions to the staff at the Student Conduct Office for your university. At my university, you would have something in your conduct file but it likely would not affect your financial aid at-least on this first offense. In regards to whether it would affect future employment or education opportunities, it could depend on the institution. My institution allows for students to appeal to the Student Conduct board to get their files expunged after a certain period of time but once again, all universities are different - you need to ask your Student Conduct Office.