This goes out to the girl who sat next to me in the testing lab, google searching answers to her exam and all of the people who openly discuss cheating. Why are you okay with what you're doing?

You and every other person on campus have been held to the expectations of 1. Showing up to class 2. Participating and taking control of your own learning 3. Studying on your own time. It wasn't a lot to ask, and you're the one paying to do these things, so why didn't you do them? Why are you now sitting in the testing labs during finals week sneaking glances at your phone hoping to save your grade?

You've got as much time as everyone else to study for this final moment, so what gives you the right to cheat? I guess my point here is that I really don't understand. I have firsthand experience of the stress of classes and the weight of that exam on whether or not you pass, but I could NEVER bring myself to cheat. What does that show about you as a person? You should be holding yourself to a higher standard all semester, not waiting until the last minute and hoping that your grades will pull through with a little help from your cellphone. This is college and we are adults now, so let's start taking responsibility for our actions.

Cheating to pass has put a letter on your transcript that you didn't deserve. Others worked so hard all year to get the same grade or better, and you got it because you didn't get caught. Don't be cocky about your new grade, don't brag about what you've done. Be ashamed for not following the rules. Be disappointed that you didn't expect more from yourself.