STUDENT’S CORNER

by Daniel Hoyle, CHS Student Writer

“The Perils of Academic Dishonesty”

Answer me this: how many times have you thought about cheating on a test? My guess is that it’s more than you’d like to admit. But have you ever actually studied for a test and done well? If yes, then which one felt better? Again, my guess is that test you tried on.

The reason you feel better after actually trying on that test is because you put in real work to get real results. When you cheat on any assignment, an essay, a math worksheet, a test, you aren’t gaining anything tangible. When that test comes back with the grade you manufactured, you don’t feel satisfaction or pride, perhaps you only feel relief. Relief shouldn’t be what you chase in life. Relief means you were running from something, or a burden is weighing you down. Trying to succeed isn’t a burden, it is a goal, and it should be what is driving you in life.

Did you know that Frederick County Public Schools allocate $13,218 per student each year for education? Over the course of K-12, that totals $171,834 spent on YOU. So, why spend that significant investment of time and money just Googling answers or relying on AI to write your essays? Maybe you think the subjects you’re learning aren’t relevant to your future because you already know what career you want to pursue. Sure, professions like plumbing, engineering, medicine, or farming may not require you to memorize the Protestant Reformation, but that’s only part of the story. What about everything else in life that doesn’t involve your job? The way you think about politics, society, or even just the world around you? Take 1984 by George Orwell, for example. Understanding the themes of surveillance, freedom, and truth in that novel isn’t just important for writers or historians—it’s crucial for anyone who will eventually vote or engage with the world. In the end, the knowledge you gain in school shapes how you navigate life, not just your career. But to truly understand these concepts, you have to engage in class and make the most of the opportunities in front of you.

Did you also know that I just wrote that paragraph above with AI? If you pay close enough attention and can recognize the signs when looking for them, it’s easy to detect. Repeated phrases, odd wording, and an unusual flow of thoughts are common signs that what you’re reading isn’t genuine. AI also has quite a distinct tone that sticks out. It’s more lighthearted, which sticks out from the rest of my article. And that’s another problem with cheating: It’s easy to get caught. If you’re college bound, kicking the cheating habit early can save you tens of thousands of dollars in wasted tuition. Getting caught in college can be much more than the slap on the wrist that you’ll get in high school. Students can face disciplinary action and even expulsion for cheating, and you don’t get your money back.

Eventually, cheating will catch up to you, whether it’s because you can’t do the math to plan a road trip because Photomath got you through algebra, or because you got caught cheating in college and lost your scholarship. Take advantage of the opportunity given to you and make the most out of your time in high school—you only get one chance.