Cheating is wrong, whether it’s in an academic setting or in the real-world. Cheaters take
shortcuts to reach a goal that is supposed to take time and effort to reach. Although cheating in
college might seem like it does not really have any real-world consequences, it creates an
environment in which going through the hardships of learning becomes invaluable. By not
stopping the growth of such an environment, we would contribute to the making of people who
are not really equipped with the knowledge or skills to perform their future jobs. Would you go
on a plane if you know that the pilot cheated his way to get his pilot license? Would you
undergo surgery knowing that the surgeon cheated to get his medical degree? Cheating is a way
of rebelling against the rules. It is a way of saying that one can take the easy way to get what
they want by getting an unfair advantage over others. Just like the real world, college should be
a place where everyone is given the same opportunity to succeed. By reporting cheaters, I can
do my part of limiting the occurrence of such a destructive behavior and maintain the integrity
of the academic institution I’m in. Some might say it is the instructor’s job to deal with cheaters,
not the students. Although that might sound like a reasonable argument, its nearly impossible
for a handful of people to detect, verify, and report all academic misconduct behavior that
occurs inside the classroom. Everyone should contribute to limiting the spread of cheating, even
if that means reporting a classmate, or even a friend. This ensures that the classroom offers a
fair place for everyone to succeed, and students’ grades would reflect their level of
understanding the content intended for them to learn.