I cheat. I try not to, but if I admit I cheat then I will lose my good rep. Is there a way to clear my conscience without telling anyone? I admit it to myself. What should I do?’

-Emmy‘

Emmy,

This is a big problem girl! It can be so tempting to cheat…all that pressure on you from parents, coaches and even yourself to get good grades…sometimes it just seems so easy to look to a neighbor for “help.” It might seem like no one is getting hurt by this simple act, but really, you’re hurting yourself in so many ways. You’re lying to your teachers about your knowledge of the subject and you’re lying to yourself about your intelligence. Something like this you’ve got to nip in the bud before it develops into major repeat behavior. No one wants to be operated on by a surgeon who cheated her way through medical school, right?

It’s great that you realize this is a major problem. However, it’d be a lot better if you realized your problem with schoolwork before the test or quiz. If you’re struggling in a certain class, ask your teacher for help privately, either with her before or after school, or with a tutor. Your teacher should even be able to assign you extra practice problems to ensure that you completely understand the subject matter.

For most people, there isn’t a way to clear their conscience without admitting their wrongdoings. Guilt is a heavy thing. If you’re brave enough, tell your teacher. At the very least, she’ll recognize that you’re asking for help and she’ll be proud of you for admitting your bad behavior. If that seems too scary, start by fessing up to mom and dad. Explain to them why you feel the need to cheat and ask for help. Is there too much pressure on you to do well? Are you too involved in extracurricular activities that you just don’t have time to study? Whatever it is, they can help you fix it. Once you figure out the reason behind your cheating ways and the types of study habits that work best for you, you’ll be acing those tests all on your own.

Good luck!
Alli