Hey everyone, I need some advice for my situation. I’m a freshman at a pretty prestigious university, and recently I was accused of using AI on a coding assignment. They put me on probation as a result (I admitted to using it for about 20 lines of code). This was around two months ago, and since then I’ve felt like crap and my grades and social life have been declining. I’ve never cheated before, and am not sure what to do. I already apologized to the professor and department, but I’m taking the same professor this quarter and literally cannot get myself to ask questions in class or in office hours. I’m really interested computer science and my school’s program, but know I can’t take this one back, and am considering if transferring schools would be a better option. I would appreciate any insight.
Why - you have a penalty. You served your sentence - whatever it is.
Get back in there. You’re paying. Take advantage. Act like nothing happened - and ensure nothing happens again.
And you’ll be fine.
Have a meeting with the professor. Discuss this openly. Talk to your advisor for the best approach and suggestion. Then move forward.
You have apologized. Don’t run away – instead prove you have learned from the mistake by moving forward in a positive manner. Ask your questions in class, show your interest, enjoy your friends, etc. Consider seeking out a therapist at the school if you need help moving forward.
(Because I’m pretty sure you’re not a pirate, I edited your thread title.)
All good advice so far.
I agree with @tsbna44. You have paid the penalty for a first offense. Do not do this again. Otherwise, forget about it.
You are a student at a very good university. Go to class. Pay attention. Act as if nothing has happened.
But never make the same mistake again.
None of us are perfect. We all make mistakes. The point is to learn from our mistakes and move on in life.
Just to make you feel better, AI is absolutely going to take over the coding world. And a lot sooner than you think. So, hone those AI skills, learn how to build things USING AI and you will be ahead of the game. (Trust me on this - my husband is an insider).
However don’t use it for your assignments if it’s against the rules. I would add - your professors - they need to get up with the times and encourage use of AI when it comes to coding because that’s where it’s going in the next few years. 100%
I don’t disagree with the industry direction and trends. But I don’t think higher ed should roll over and play dead.
Google translate is helpful when you’re trying to order a sandwich overseas. But it is no substitute for actually speaking and understanding a foreign language. The output in CS-- what a particular assignment achieves- is nowhere near as important as students understanding the underlying logic and progression. AI isn’t a brain implant and college professors aren’t cogs in the corporate flywheel to churn out Day 1 ready employees. Actually knowing how to do the work, why, its limitations, etc. and mastering the theory is still pretty important no matter how dominant the “new new” becomes.
This. Our son manages a team of developers. He doesn’t want them wasting time on anything AI can do, so they use it routinely for coding and algorithm refinement. However, they have to be able to review the output to ensure it does precisely what it’s supposed to do, and they engage deeply with AI to iteratively refine results. Thus, they spend more time on architecture and design, but they have to have a deep understanding of systems and languages in order to guide the tool to the best output and prevent it from producing unintended consequences.
Also, the developers on his team were selected based on intensive testing of their skills — without access to AI. They learn how to use AI properly on the job.
I would not suggest that the student express such opinion to the professor. Saying so implies that the student does not believe they were in the wrong, which is not helpful at this time.
The student (or joining other students) may later propose to the campus student association or to the academic dean or dean of students some AI related policy discussion and clarification, which would be perceived as participation in school improvement.
Dont let the mistake harm you twice. You owned it and were penalized. You can either let it keep affecting you or move on, Im 99% certain everyone else you think is dwelling on this has.
I wasn’t telling him/her to actually SAY it. It’s a figure of speech.
I would say… (like ‘I would add’, ‘in my opinion’, etc etc). Not saying they should SAY it, let me be clear. Geez I hate communicating without inflection… lol
OP - do NOT say that to your professors! haha