Opinions Please! Long Story

[RNbeach]

Ok....... 2 weeks ago during my AP Class muscles pratical, a girl in my class asked me for an answer on the written portion of the pratical and I gave her the answer. Whatever.... maybe I shouldn't have done.... hindsight is 20/20 but I did. OK.....Aside from that some other people in the class shared some answers also...... A woman in our class (the A+ Student) who is now my ex study partner took it upon herself to mention something to the professor about the class cheating and made some derrogatory comments about me to someone else in the class "I can't believe so and so would actually help someone cheat" OK.. I am not denying that I did..... because I did give this other student an answer.... and the fact the others in the class were sharing answers does not excuse it!

BUT for her to mention something to the professor, I felt was out of line....... she needs to mind her business...

Tonight during our break from lecture.... everyone is commenting on how the professor seems to be very dry with us, he is usally a cut up..... and one of the young ladies said she called him during the thanksgiving break to inquire about the pratical, if she had passed or failed... and he mentioned to her, that her name had come up with regards to dishonesty! So me and my BIG MOUTH... said I know where that came from..... SO & SO said something to the professor!

Well I just opened a can of worms because now... everybody is giving the my ex study partner....... dirty looks.......

So now it's the end of the class.. I am putting my coat on and she confronts me and starts shouting.. and i know the professor can hear her... that next time I decide to say something about her i should say it to her face, and that she only told the professor that some people were being dishonest, and that maybe if I hadn't help other student.... I wouldn't be so upset...... So I told her 1st of all it's your word against mine.......... 2nd..... I know you said something with regards to me b/c another student told me and I confronted the other student. and she agreed! and 3rd who are you to play class police and go back to the professor with anything......

I Dismissed her and walked away.......

NOW....... we are all walking down the hall and she comments to the other mob of students.... one in particular who she mentioned by name to the professor..... (MIND YOU the professor just told some of the students individually that he was disappointed that some people were dishonest)

She said to them don't say anything I am right here... WEll here we go..... it' all blows up.... yelling... the students who were not mentioned and the ones that were.... are all upset at her... they say how dare she bring it up at all.... she deny's it..... than she said she only said some people were dishonest..... the mob continues to get unruly and name calling starts.....

She won't get in the elevator with us....she stays behind..... in the parking lot the one of the students who was mentioned by name said she is going to say something to the professor.....

UGHHHHHHHHHHHH and I 'm sure my ex study partner probably went to the professor and told him about the mob scene and that I started it......

GEEZ........ I know I probably should not have said anything..... but I did.

MY question is #1 do I personally address it with the professor who is a sweet heart and has been really nice and supportive to me....... and helped tremendously.....and he never mentioned anything to me about this whole thing at all tonight

Just forget it and not even acknowledge the incident

Of if he asks me about it.... just remain clueless

Or should I call my ex study partner and try to clear the air.....(her and I might be in the same nursing class in the fall

Of course I will not get any sleep tonight or for the rest of the week..... because of the S%it!......

Please guys.... don't crucify me..... just constructive critisism or some advice....

B

[kittyw]

Putting flame suit on.... :chair:

According to my schools honor code, if a student sees another student cheating then that student is required to report it or get blamed for cheating too. Quite frankly I think it was your study partners DUTY to go talk to the professor. It probably wouldn't have upset you so much if you WEREN'T involved - if you weren't one of the parties involved in the cheating (even in your minimal capacity). Now think about it ..... sounds like you were becoming a bit self-defensive ... making it HER fault and not YOURS.

Right now I don't think the professor could do much, since he did not specifically see the cheating (as far as I know). But..... if he did see it then he can give all parties involved a failing grade - so please don't ever do it again. It's not worth it.

As for the altercation - I wouldn't bring it up with the professor. If he feels that he needs to know, he'll ask you. Also - I'd get my grade back from the test first before considering talking to him about any of this. He probably will just watch the class like a hawk from now on. And you'll get out of the class just fine

Lastly, you really do owe it to your study partner to tell her you're sorry. She wasn't running off to the professor everytime she thought someone was cheating .... she did it after she saw MULTIPLE cheaters. Plus, if anything, you will be around her in future classes and clearing the air now will be much easier then letting it fester.

Hopefully you've learned a lesson here ..... keep your answers to yourself when you're testing but share info everywhere else. You're not helping the cheating student .... she's just getting through class and will end up in a terrible situation in nursing classes when she doesn't have an adequate background.

You'll get through this, just remember that things have changed with the professor. He'll be watching more closely ... so don't do it.

Ok .... withdrawing the wet noodle.

Plus ... just think only just a little bit more left till Christmas break.

[rebelwaclause, ASN, RN]

Not to minimize your dilemma B_Matt, but to say it all seems like high school drama and a HUGE distraction from your goal of graduating school?

I bet the drama queens (and kings) selected this situation as "monkey-of-the-week" and it will die in time. You don't have to stoop to anyone's level nor do you have to have your character analyzed by people who are unqualified to do so.

Your posts always seem so spirited and on the up-and-up here. (I enjoy you!). Let that be a reminder to you when you are confronted with childish "stuff".

Take care girlfriend!

PS...If your professor has been doing this for awhile, he knows trends and personalities in students. If you've been on the level grade wise and otherwise - He''s probably not concerned with the ramblings of what looks like a snitch (your classmate). In fact, those who talk, yell and busy themselves too much are usually the ones trying to take the spotlight off themselves (in my opinion...of course!)

"Silence is golden", and it seems like maybe your teacher is making a statement to the class that its time to get serious and back to work now.

[rebelwaclause, ASN, RN]

Originally posted by B_Matt

OK for those of you who said I should speak with the professor at his office like just show up , or should I call him on the phone, or send him an email that I would like to speak with him, regarding an incident in class!

B

I wouldn't speak to him. If he has concerns, TRUST ME, he will come to you. You really don't know what was said, so going to him is a blind feat. Wait and see if it dies down. If it gets more serious, maybe you might consider asking him for a conference to "see how you're doing in class" instead of a confessional of potentially "cheating" on a test.

He'll tell you then if you're "in big trouble"....

[2banurse]

I agree with kittyw. I know that my school has a very strong rule on cheating. It doesn't matter whether one person is cheating or the whole class, it is still wrong. Your professor seems like a reasonable sort, so if he has been supportable in the past...just continue to show him that you are that same person, despite the slip.

Your ex-study partner though she might not have been wrong in reporting it,did carry it much too far and acted way immaturely...if I were you, I would keep my distance.

Originally posted by kittyw

Putting flame suit on.... :chair:

According to my schools honor code, if a student sees another student cheating then that student is required to report it or get blamed for cheating too. Quite frankly I think it was your study partners DUTY to go talk to the professor. It probably wouldn't have upset you so much if you WEREN'T involved - if you weren't one of the parties involved in the cheating (even in your minimal capacity). Now think about it ..... sounds like you were becoming a bit self-defensive ... making it HER fault and not YOURS.

Right now I don't think the professor could do much, since he did not specifically see the cheating (as far as I know). But..... if he did see it then he can give all parties involved a failing grade - so please don't ever do it again. It's not worth it.

As for the altercation - I wouldn't bring it up with the professor. If he feels that he needs to know, he'll ask you. Also - I'd get my grade back from the test first before considering talking to him about any of this. He probably will just watch the class like a hawk from now on. And you'll get out of the class just fine

Lastly, you really do owe it to your study partner to tell her you're sorry. She wasn't running off to the professor everytime she thought someone was cheating .... she did it after she saw MULTIPLE cheaters. Plus, if anything, you will be around her in future classes and clearing the air now will be much easier then letting it fester.

Hopefully you've learned a lesson here ..... keep your answers to yourself when you're testing but share info everywhere else. You're not helping the cheating student .... she's just getting through class and will end up in a terrible situation in nursing classes when she doesn't have an adequate background.

You'll get through this, just remember that things have changed with the professor. He'll be watching more closely ... so don't do it.

Ok .... withdrawing the wet noodle.

Plus ... just think only just a little bit more left till Christmas break.

[fergus51]

DO NOT GO TO THE INSTRUCTOR!!! I have seen more than one student go to "try to clear the air" in my student days and it never turned out well. Clearing the air may well lead to you admitting to cheating, and even if you don't think it was serious and you learned your lesson, you have no way of knowing what your instructor's reaction will be (or your ex-study partner's). Let it go and die a natural death. Do you really want to risk going through a disciplinary hearing because you or your exstudy partner wouldn't drop it?

[PennyLane, RN]

I agree with fergus. If you tell your instructor the whole story, he may be obligated to pursue disciplinary action against you. If he doesn't have hard proof right now, why offer it to him? If he asks to meet with you about it and directly questions you on what happened, then you'll have to be honest. But until then, I'd keep your mouth shut.

At the same time, you may want to try and patch things up with your ex study partner, considering you may be in future classes together. BTW, why is she your ex study partner? Did you guys have a previous falling out?

Hope you're able to enjoy your weekend.

[Mkue]

Originally posted by rebelwaclause

Not to minimize your dilemma B_Matt, but to say it all seems like high school drama and a HUGE distraction from your goal of graduating school?

I bet the drama queens (and kings) selected this situation as "monkey-of-the-week" and it will die in time. You don't have to stoop to anyone's level nor do you have to have your character analyzed by people who are unqualified to do so.

Your posts always seem so spirited and on the up-and-up here. (I enjoy you!). Let that be a reminder to you when you are confronted with childish "stuff".

Take care girlfriend!

PS...If your professor has been doing this for awhile, he knows trends and personalities in students. If you've been on the level grade wise and otherwise - He''s probably not concerned with the ramblings of what looks like a snitch (your classmate). In fact, those who talk, yell and busy themselves too much are usually the ones trying to take the spotlight off themselves (in my opinion...of course!)

"Silence is golden", and it seems like maybe your teacher is making a statement to the class that its time to get serious and back to work now.

Rebel, you are probably right.

Chances are he has seen this before and it's not enough to make an issue out of. :)

[Jennerizer, ASN, RN]

Did you give her the answer during the exam? Or did you take the exam first & then let her know what was on the exam?

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Seems like high school. I would be afraid continuing the altercation or issue may put your school in trouble. Any thoughts?

renerian

[RNbeach, ASN, RN]

Well everyone.... thanks for the advice..... as to question #1 I gave the other student the answer during the exam..

as to question #2..... My ex study partner is my ex study partner because of this incident

As to overall..... I am going to take Rebel's advice and put all the Drama aside and just concentrate on getting through my last 2 classes and final!

If the professor approaches me I will discuss the incident with him in general....I am not going to blow what I have been working so hard to reach!

As far as my ex study partner I am not going to discuss anything with her ....... I was at the mall earlier today and I ran into her multiple times and she ignored me and continued to give me dirty looks..... WHATEVER!

I also ran into another student....who told me my ex-study partner stayed and spoke to the professor crying after the whole melee occured!

Again, I am going to class this Friday and act as if nothing happened and just concentrate on my lecture.... and pass this god forsaken class!

Thanks to all who responded...... I appreciate all of you for your honest opinions!

Brenda

[emily_mom]

Your ex sounds like a puke. I'm sure he sees right through her. I'm happy with your decision. No proof = no F :)

Kristy

[rstewart]

"First of all, it's your word against mine." "I know this is manipulative and dishonest but you have to look out for yourself right now." "Giving one answer to one person is not cheating to me." "If he doesn't have proof right now, why offer it to him?" "No proof=no F :) "

Elsewhere on this bulletin board is an active thread describing the public's high level of trust in the nursing profession. I wonder whether the profession will be held in the same high regard 10 years from now.