Anticipate and prepare for those situations where you might be tempted to cheat, such as the night before an assignment is due and you are behind in your work, overwhelmed, or don’t know the material.
Identify your alternatives to cheating, such as asking your professor for an extension or even accepting a disappointing grade.
If you find yourself in a predicament and are thinking about cheating, pause before you act. Remember that cheating is unethical and you have alternatives.
Tell your professor your situation.
If you are unsure about course rules or whether you are crossing an ethical line, for example, by working with others or looking at an assignment key, ask your professor.
If you don’t understand the point of an assignment, don’t assume it is pointless and therefore cheating is somehow justified. Your professor’s goals and the merits of an assignment may not be obvious to you; ask your professor to explain their goals for the assignment.
Plan your work in advance and know where you can get assistance.
Don’t plagiarize unintentionally by cutting and pasting from the Internet, losing track of sources, and presenting these words or ideas as your own. Keep detailed notes identifying all your sources. If you don’t know when to cite sources or use quotation marks, ask your professor.
If a friend offers you assistance, such as an answer to a formula or an assignment key, do not accept unless you are certain such assistance is authorized.
If a friend asks you for unauthorized help, say no and prepare your response—“I don’t want to violate the Code.” Protecting yourself by refusing to help does not mean you are being disloyal.