My professor gave my class a take-home exam that’s open book, open note, open internet and I took advantage of the open-internet policy. I asked 3 test questions on Chegg, a homework help service, and my professor found out. I never intended to use the responses from Chegg, but wanted to be pointed in the right direction after poring through my notes, journals, and the textbook. After I’d posted my questions, I’d felt guilty of my actions and regretted abandoning my integrity for cheap points.
Two days later, the professor announced in class that the culprit would never receive a letter of recommendation and that they should a) send the exam with the answers blank or b) send their exam and have a formal disciplinary investigation.
Of course, I freaked out and knew the only one person to do this was me. I immediately emailed my professor after class and met with them confessing that I was the person to Chegg test questions and explained to him why I did it and that I didn’t use any of the Chegg answers and found my own sources to support my work.
They said that they were disappointed in me and that they will contact the Dean of Conduct that the student confessed that they cheated and will call off the investigation. They said that they will move on from this as long as I could move on from this. Of course, I said yes, and they allowed me to submit my exam with the responses for the questions I came up with on my own without Chegg and take my word that my responses weren’t cheated and grade me accordingly.
They said the time between their announcement in class of the cheating to the time we’d met was penance for the anxiety and guilt I felt. They also said that they appreciated my honesty and for coming forward and said that I should still come to them with questions about subsequent assignments and presentations and to never cheat again (which I will never do, I deleted Chegg and everything).
I still feel guilty, anxious, and embarrassed despite getting a slap on the wrist.
My question is, how can I repair the relationship I have with this professor (and potentially the department they’re in)? I respect this person a lot as they are one of my academic advisers and favorite professors. They actually wrote me a letter of recommendation after I took a previous science class with them for a research program I applied for during my gap years. I wanted to ask him for a letter of recommendation for medical school before I had violated the honor code and feel that I can’t ever do that again. I spoke to my mom and aunt and they said that the professor likely said what about the LoR in the heat of the moment in class, but I’m uncertain. There is a few weeks left in the course and the deadline to request a letter of recommendation for the upcoming cycle is soon.
What should I do to repair the relationship? I appreciate any comments/responses for this issue.
