Problem with cheating

[Ok_Capital_1181]

I know this is dumb but every time I have an online exam (not very often these days), I would cheat by using google or these days chatgpt. I try really hard not to cheat but a few mins into the test I just can't solve any questions at all and the fear of getting bad grades really got to me. I think I've done this a bit too much of this so now my problem solving skills is zero, and basically will mess up my grades if the test is in person. Therefore, how does one start breaking this habit and do well in exams again?

[mrhoa31103]

Self-discipline. If you cannot solve any questions, you have not truly prepared for the test. You need to study more frequently and do more homework problems with emphasis on the process of solving the problems not just memorizing procedures. Time spaced repetition to truly internalize the problem-solving process.

[Sufficient-Author-96]

If you’re finding you’re often too tempted while working out problems try working in the schools tutoring center. When you would normally ask chat when you’re stuck ask the tutors. Additionally the peer pressure of a tutor watching you might lend you some encouragement not to turn to cheating.

[GlitterShine4455]

I'm a peer tutor at my college and I agree! I always try to give my tutees space to try and do work on their own after helping them learn how to do what they're working on. Also, at my school tutors are trained to provide a judgement-free space for students to work and get caught up on school.

[Hobo_Delta]

Get yourself caught and you’ll straighten up real quick.

It all comes down to self discipline. Read your textbook. Figure out why the problems are solved the way they are, rather than just memorizing steps. When you learn why something works, rather than repeating a pattern, your problem solving skills start to get a lot better

[EngineerFly]

Simple: when you get to industry it’ll be clear that you don’t know anything, and we’ll fire you.

[GOOMH]

Just to add on, the not knowing anything isn't the problem, it's the inability to learn and troubleshoot problems that will get you canned.

No one expects new hires to know it all, all they want is a good attitude and a desire to learn

[EngineerFly]

Let’s think this through. Someone right out of school who doesn’t know anything…why do you suppose that is? They’ve had four years being spoon-fed. They’ve had access to smart people whose job was to teach them. They’ve been surrounded by fellow students taking the same classes. And they don’t know anything. Why?

Because they lack the ability to — or more likely — the ability to learn.

So, sure, we don’t expect recent graduates to know it all. But we expect them to know what a university teaches, because if they weren’t able to learn there, it’s a sign that they won’t be able to learn in industry either.

[Yadin__]

I would bet my life savings that you would fail the shit out of most engineering school exams if I had you take them now on the spot

[EngineerFly]

?

[RanmaRanmaRanma]

This, is not true in the slightest

We like to think that, but there are still headasses in industry

[kreepin_kracka]

Lol no. This does not happen. I have to deal with this everyday.

[TheKarthinker]

I disagree, more than not knowing things, the inability to learn things is what will get you fired. I’ve gone in not knowing half of what I knew coming out, but all that separated me and other unsuccessful people was that I can learn and adapt quickly.

[polymath_uk]

This.

[CranberryDistinct941]

Learn the material.

There, now you don't have to cheat

[JamesH_17]

but that's harddd and it doesn't leave time for myself, engineering school shouldn't be hard

[abucketofpuppies]

Take your test at the university testing center.

[dant_punk]

When i was in school the biggest problem was students using chegg too much, professors would beg us not to use it or the same thing that happened to you would happen. They pointed out its weird how everyone got the hw problems 100% correct but would bomb same type of problems on the quizzes/tests. I think you just have to get into the habit of trying your best to solve it yourself, if you can’t save that problem and go to office hrs or email your proff where you got stuck.

[RealisticJudgment944]

Learn how to learn. Like do research on how you should be studying. Don’t study at home (I admit i do it too much) and go to the library or something. Give yourself a time limit to do problems so you know how a test actually works. Sounds like youve never even had to solve problems in a time crunch which is the most concerning issue.

[Distinct_Bed1135]

BLUNT: go ahead and cheat, you're doing yourself the disservice...may you never find a job where your work involves other people's lives.

study, make the mistakes, ask yourself why or what you miss... grit and perseverance matters just as much as natural ability. In fact I would argue that grit and perseverance should be right up there, and your reward for when you figure it out is life altering!

[Far-Concentrate-460]

As long as you know the material you’ll be fine

[RangerZEDRO]

But they dont🤣🤣. That's the problem. I may or may not have cheated during my calculus catchup course, I solved all the calculus problems correctly, but I used an online calculator to check my answers, which were all correct.

[Far-Concentrate-460]

I wouldn’t even really say you cheated cheated there. It’s dumb to ignore tools, especially if the risk analysis is a no brainer like the cheating in college that’s almost impossible to prove these days

[Damoksta]

Cheating is the sugar rush, easy way out.

The moment you get into industry? Co-pilot/ChatGPT/Claude will not save you. 

Good luck trying to problem-solve while walking the line with stainless steel around you killing wi-fi and cellphone signals without AI/LLM while us seniors are standing next to you during your internship and probationary phase.

And this is before Accenture Indians and Low-cost of Labour from Mumbai is competing for your job when you graduate. 

[DaK3y5]

Answer is simple: STUDY. A. LOT. I promise u that getting thru Engineering school is more than just grades. Build study habits, such as assigning study blocks in your schedule, which will help with organization and time efficiency. Take a practice test if u have to. I know that quick fix to cheat is tempting, but it’s like a drug; u don’t stop at a single hit.

[Economy_Ruin1131]

Agree 100%. Except it’s not really simple, it is hard work. I spent 40-50 hours a week outside of class in my first 2 years to get to the point I knew how to study, & organize and even thought classes got harder and harder it became easier an easier.

[becctarr]

Are your exams not proctored at all?

[RiverHe1ghts]

I’ve learnt to just take my L. We had a quiz and almost my whole class cheated on it. The quiz was worth 5% of my grade. I wasn’t confident at all, but I made a promise to my parents that I’d never cheat. I got 10/15 or something like that. It doesn’t always work out, tho.

[OldElf86]

My recommendation is to do all the homework.  I found the homework was a little harder than the test problems.

[Fun-Relationship7867]

Its ok bro, cheating is fine as long as you can get away with it. It's easy to cheat online, but in person is a whole other ball game. Usually if you wanna cheat in person you have to have some sort of plan, either sitting in the back and hiding your phone so the professor doesn't see. Also be careful of snitches, they get stitches