A student's choice against academic dishonesty during illness

¶ … Ethical Dilemma

Last semester during the flu epidemic I got sick. I was in bed for nearly a week, and it took a few more days before I felt like myself again. My biggest worry while I was lying there in bed was what to do about my paper that was due for Sociology. The instructor assigned a research paper on a contemporary social problem. Unfortunately, I had let it go until the last minute, thinking I'd be able to get it all done in a couple days. But then I got sick, so that put me in a bad spot. I didn't want to withdraw from the class because it was almost over, and I was doing well. I thought I had a B+, at least.

My cousin came over, and I was telling her about it. She said she had a paper about the need for prison reform, and I could have it if I wanted it. She even said she would print out a new copy of it with my name on it and the class information and a new date. It was tempting and seemed like an easy solution. At first, I told myself I didn't have any choice, and if I wanted to pass the class, I had to.

The teacher wasn't very approachable either. He seemed to be kind of cynical about students and their "excuses" for not doing their work, and I was afraid he wouldn't believe me. But my conscience bothered me! I like to do my own work actually. Most of the time it is pretty interesting.