Chiquita on Cheating

Yesterday, I had to take a really hard test. I studied for it all weekend. I slaved over the study guide for hours. I asked anyone who was around for help. I worked and worked, and prayed for a good grade. When I went to class yesterday, I tried my best to be confident. I knew I wasn’t going to get an A, and I’d be extremely lucky if I got a B, or even a C. Basically, I’ll be happy if I pass it. So the teacher passes out the tests, and I take it. I was the second one done. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Then I go back to my seat and take out some other homework, still begging God to just please let me pass that test. I just happened to glance to my left to see one of my classmates pass the person in front of them a piece of paper filled with the questions and answers from the test I just handed in. In my mind, I exploded. I seriously wanted to punch those two in the face. I was so mad. I studied hard all weekend, and I’ll still probably get a crappy grade. It’s just not fair. Some people get by so easy, never really doing any real work. Normally, I’d just be like that’s crap, but whatever its not my business. Not this time. This time I’d had enough, I was just too mad. After class, I hung back. I waited until I was sure both of the cheaters were out of the room, and then I told the teacher what I saw, and I was told it would be taken care of. I know I did the right thing, but I still feel bad. I don’t have a problem with either of the people who I caught cheating, I like both of them just fine. Although that doesn’t mean I should let them get away with cheating on a test. Honestly, I’ve copied my fair share of homework over the years, and I’ve let people copy mine. I understand that copying homework is wrong, and I try to do it as little as possible. Really, I only do it when I really have no other choice. I’m not trying to justify my cheating, please don’t take it like that. I always feel bad when I do it. I mean, even if the person I copy from copied from someone else, somewhere along the line, someone had to do the work. I feel like its not fair to whoever actually did the work that all these people get the points just for knowing how to move a pencil on some notebook paper. I feel this is especially the case on tests. I mean, like I said, somewhere along the line someone had to do the work, someone had to complete that study guide; someone had to slave over it. I guess though if that person wants to let someone copy their test, then it’s their own fault, and they should be punished too. I mean, if I ever got caught cheating on the test, I would have nothing to say for myself. I know its wrong and I shouldn’t do it, not matter what. I just think it’s really inconsiderate of someone to cheat off someone else’s test. I think a little less of people who do that. Actually, I think a little less of anyone who cheats on anything. Yes, this includes myself. When I copy someone’s homework, I don’t think about it like I am now, but when I really consider it like I am now, I can’t help but think what a jerk I am. What a jerk we all are.