Student Blog: College is What You Make of It
At the end of the day, academic integrity is about how you can make the most of your education and not about how the rest of the world sees you.
Public schools in America have always pushed the value of the grading system. Learning in school is important, but what you learn is not necessarily always reflected by a number or letter grade. In kindergarten, I cried for three hours after my teacher took away my "good behavior" block for not bringing in my homework. I didn't cry because I learned from my misbehavior. I cried because I was scared of what my parents and friends would think of me if I had one less behavior block. I carried that fear with me through high school as I often feared what people would think of me if I didn't have a perfect GPA.
I don't know if it was my teachers, parents, or internal emotions that instilled this fear. No matter what the assignment was, I would run myself to the ground making sure everything was completed to perfection. On the outside, I appeared to be a responsible student. In reality, I worried more about the number on my transcript than any assignment I ever completed. I believed that academic integrity meant having a 4.0 GPA. My value was reflected in the number of AP classes I took. Of course, none of this was true. No one ever said those words to me. So, why did I, along with the other overachievers, believe that so wholeheartedly?
College proved to be a reality check. For the first time in your academic career, you are in control. You pick your classes, your major, and any extracurriculars you want. The concept seemed liberating until I saw the roster of 5,000 new students registering for the same classes. I feared whether I would stand out. My need for academic validation was quivering. But all of that drifted away as I learned what receiving a college education is really about.
You go to college to pursue your goals and dreams. My experience is that in college, your value is reflected in your passion, excitement, and eagerness to learn. Academic integrity is the level to which you honestly and passionately apply yourself to your studies. Most likely, you are in college to prepare for your career so that means being proactive, seeking new knowledge, and acting with integrity. College should not be a burden, it should be a privilege. You just have to find the path that makes you excited to come to class every day.
More than anything, academic integrity means accepting the help you need whether that is academically, emotionally, or physically. If I am struggling in school, I go to seek help from professors, advisors, or even my peers because I value well-being more than anything. Ensuring your happiness, health, and safety means trying to be the best student you can be. Remind yourself that the people around you want you to succeed. Use the resources that are provided to you. At the end of the day, academic integrity is about how you can make the most of your education and not about how the rest of the world sees you.
From This Author - Student Blogger: Megan O’Keefe
I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Oregon studying Public Relations at the School of Journalism and Communication with a minor in Theatre Arts. I currently serve as Vice ... (read more about this author)

January 30, 2023
You go to college to pursue your goals and dreams. My experience is that in college, your value is reflected in your passion, excitement, and eagerness to learn. Academic integrity is the level to which you honestly and passionately apply yourself to your studies. Most likely, you are in college to prepare for your career so that means being proactive, seeking new knowledge, and acting with integrity. College should not be a burden, it should be a privilege. You just have to find the path that makes you excited to come to class every day.

December 24, 2022
For me, burnout started to set in right after Thanksgiving break. Like most students, I took those few days to relax, spend time with family, and not think about schoolwork. I dreaded the turnaround time from Thanksgiving break to the long haul grind to finals week. I wore down quickly. Desperately, I needed something to boost my spirits and motivate me to get through finals week.

November 27, 2022
Surviving college means finding the tools to help stay afloat as the waves of responsibility wash ashore, which is just a dramatic way of saying you must find and accept the help you need. Every person has different needs. I found that the best way to manage college life is to follow the three Rs: rest, relax, and recharge.

November 1, 2022
The fear of graduating dawns on every student at least once in their college career. Whether it was when you failed your first exam, accidentally slept late and missed a final, or contemplated switching majors. Feeling inadequate is something many students empathize with on a personal level. Between the shadows of self-doubt and fears of the future, it is no wonder college students hate to hear the question “so, what do you want to do after college?”

October 24, 2022
Many students thrive with a busy schedule while participating in multiple activities. But if you are like me and often find yourself struggling under the pressure, there is no shame in cutting back on your responsibilities. College burnout is real. Does that require taking and leaving some extracurriculars? Perhaps, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing important parts of your personality. Prioritize finding the time to do activities that you love but in a way that makes you happy and stress-free.