As a college instructor, certified academic coach, and tutor, I know students don’t always do their own work. While some copy from others’ work, others have the money to buy their assignments. Students use online homework services for several reasons: 1) they are under-prepared to do the level of work required and get the grade they need; 2) they are attempting to work too many hours while taking classes and lack the time to complete their assignments themselves; 3) they don’t see the relevance of the course and/or assignment, so they mistakenly feel it won’t matter to them if they pay for someone else to do the work for them; or 4) they lack the organizational, self-discipline, or time management skills needed to complete their assignments on time.
Buying homework is harmful to the students themselves, their schools, and our economy, because the students risk graduating without the skills and knowledge someone with their degree should have. The students fail to realize that with every assignment they complete they are building their ability to think, research, write, and speak as a college graduate, whether the content directly relates to their chosen career or not. What’s more, submitting someone else’s work as their own is plagiarism, which if discovered can result in expulsion from the school.
Thankfully, there are many services available to students to be successful. Most colleges offer free tutoring, and instructors are also available for assistance. In addition, many colleges provide free counseling for students where they can get help developing organizational skills and effective study habits, learn time management techniques, and overcome test anxiety. A small, but growing number of colleges hire coaches like me to assist students in all of these areas. If you know a student who needs help, talk with them about accessing one of these means of help.
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