Essay On The Cost Of Academic Dishonesty

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The Costs of Academic Dishonesty From the time children begin attending school, they are taught to produce their own work by using unique and creative concepts from their own understanding of knowledge. However, as one grows older and becomes more responsible for other tasks besides school, coming up with original ideas may not seem as easy as it once was; therefore, taking the easy way out becomes an enticing routine. Likewise, immediate access to other’s ideas on the internet may result in plagiarism; also, the use of social media can make sharing answers with classmates effortless. Dishonesty in the classroom also promotes lying in other aspects of a person 's life. Academic cheating not only affects the student 's motivation to learn, but their self-value as well. Individuals who cheat throughout high school may believe they are capable of suddenly changing their habits once they enter college; however, they will most likely find it impossible to function on their own. Not to mention, the student must first get accepted into his or her choice of school, which could be particularly difficult if the student was caught cheating, as it will appear on their academic record. Additionally, the student could potentially acquire a low GPA due to poor time management and procrastination. Academic dishonesty expresses the lack of motivation a student possesses in the classroom, "It also appears that students who cheat have fewer academic successes than those who are more honest, as evidenced by relationships between dishonesty and a priori achievement" (Anderman, Murdock, 19). Even though passing classes may seem challenging at times, it is not unreachable. Og Mandino once wisely stated,“Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later,” because the time and effort a person invests in their work now, will determine their success in the future. Equally important, academic cheating hampers a student from developing responsibilities and the necessary skills needed after graduation. Students who rely on others work to help pass their classes will not be prepared to tackle the problems they face in the “real world”. While the cheater may think they are just "skipping" by, things start to get more complicated as they become wrapped up in the consequences. Depending on the school or university the student attends, the costs of academic dishonesty can differ tremendously. Some teachers may let it slide with a simple warning, while others may write the student up, so that other teachers will be aware of what the student has committed. As a result, some teachers might even go to the extreme of dropping the student from their class. Murdock and Anderman add, “… cheating in a classroom comes with the potential for embarrassment, as well as grade penalties. Fears of being caught and the perceived severity of the consequences for being caught are two of the most important deterrents to potential …show more content…
For example, if a student eventually decides to produce their own work, teachers or professors might have a difficult time accepting that it is truly their own. In addition, people close to the student may question if everything else is a lie. The well-known saying "Once a cheater, always a cheater," applies heavily for students who find themselves in these particular circumstances. Consequently, the student may be seen as untrustworthy through the eyes of parents and friends, as well as

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