Lara2
Professor Past
English 301
November 5, 2019
Reasons for students to cheat
There are several reasons why students might cheat. First, students do not have enough time to study. Next, students could be struggling in the course. Also, students could be dealing with family situations. Another, the students might feel pressure to do well. Laziness could be another reason why students cheat. Lastly, cheating to some students is the “easy way out”.
First, some students do not have enough time to study, which could be a reason to why they cheat on the test or quizzes. For example, in my corrections class at Long Beach City College for a quiz I had took, I did not study enough and ended up not passing the quiz. It shows not studying enough could make you fail but trying to cheat is never acceptable. Some students work a full-time job and barely have time to study, so that could be another reason why they try to cheat when it comes down to the midterm and final.
Next, students could be struggling in the course. For instance, some professors do not explain the material in a way the students could actually understand the material. Also, some people are very fast learners and with others it takes time to understand it. For example, in my psychology class, the professors lecture is a little confusing, and so I use the book required to help me with the material, I do not understand. The first test we took, I got a C, but it helped me in a way to see that it was more situational questions than terms. No, I do not try to cheat, but its not worth it. A lack of fundamental understanding of the subject makes cheating a viable alternative for students.
Also, students dealing with family or relationship drama could distract them from their focus on studying and urge them to cheat when it comes to tests. For example, when my sister was attending Long Beach City College, she was having problems with her boyfriend and failed her math test. Also, when I was in middle school, I was dealing with family drama and did not really study for a math test and had got caught trying to cheat. Cheating is never acceptable because people take time out their day to study for a test.
Another, students might feel pressure to do well on the exam or quiz. For instance, in my algebra class, I saw everybody doing well on their test and I felt the pressure to get a good grade on my next test. Feeling like you’re not smart enough gives one pressure to try to cheat. I tried to cheat on the next math test and ended up getting caught, which was not worth it. Also, the pressure from family and parents internal desire to succeed, they feel like they cannot leave anything to chance and it drives them to dishonesty.
Laziness could be another reason why students cheat. If a student study did not take the time to study, then of course that student is mostly likely to cheat. This is because some students feel more confident that will get a better grade trying to cheat than falling on the student’s own record. There is always a great risk of cheating and effect of getting a zero.
Lastly, cheating to students is the “easy way out”. Some students are unable to work at the level of other students. So, they are more than willing to cheat to just to pass the class and move on from there. Students should be aware that the consequences of cheating is the same “easy way out” school experience. Cheating in its many forms ends with being kicked out of school or suspended so is the risk really worth the reward?
Some possible ways to stop cheating in college is professors can make an honor code for each class. For example, before handing out the test or quiz, professors should make students sign the honor code. The honor code should state that if you’re caught cheating, you will be expelled from the course. Also, if anyone witnesses someone cheating to turn them in and let the professor know. Next, taking away electronics could help stop cheating in college. Before entering class, professors should make students store their phones in a basket or container. Students keeping devices will have them distracted and the urge to cheat. Students with apple watches could also help them cheat, so those devices should be taken away. For instance, in my CRJU 303 class, my professor says, “put everything away” and walks around the class during test taking. Lastly, making different versions of the tests and quizzes could also stop cheating in college. When it comes to quizzes or tests professors should switch up the wording, so students would not be able to ask other students for the answer. Also make sure every row has different versions of the tests. On midterms and finals when it comes to short answer questions, switch up the questions, and you’ll be able to tell who studied and who did not.
In conclusion, Students not having enough time, struggling in the course and having family or relationship drama, feeling pressure, Laziness and “easy way out” could all be reasons to why students might cheat.