Student Blog: Academic Integrity: What is it?

Academic integrity, values, goals, and expectations. You set them yourself, and thus, the definition of academic integrity can vary from person to person. Academic Integrity is a sort of honor code; however, it is not solely academic but rather an overarching set of morals and standards one may hold that we are just applying to our academic lives. Honesty, equity, and equality are just several factors that are important to me personally. After all, I am here to learn and bring my full, authentic self to the table. This is an idea that I think is vital to every artistic field.

So much of our industry prides itself on creativity and individuality but without integrity, it’s almost impossible to reach that full potential. I think so much of our hesitancy to put ourselves out there and to be authentic in our work is our fear of failure. School is the time when it is okay to feel and it is not only okay but allowed and a learning curve. This is the time to try things and mess up, after all a grade is truly just a letter, and faking it or cheating your way into an A will not help you learn anything. I think the most impactful moments for me in my classes have been moments of honest work that did not quite go as planned. I learned more by correcting my mistakes than I ever would have if I had just asked a friend for the answer.

So, how do you maintain academic integrity? It is always so easy to ask someone else or to look up the answer, etc. In this case, the most important way to maintain academic integrity is to be transparent. If you have a question, ask. So many schools, mine included, had tutoring options and so many resources put in place to help you in order for you to succeed. So much of college is about learning, and it is the time in which you really are able to make mistakes rather than when you are working in your respective field.  This is also where a level of individual drive comes in. You will get what you put into your college experience, whether in the arts, sciences, etc.

Why is this important to me? Getting into our respective programs is an honor for me and so many other people. I applied to my BFA program as a “reach” school; I did not think I had the portfolio to be here. Because of this, I try every single day to not only respect that the admissions office saw something in me but also to take every advantage that they are putting in front of me.  So many people are rejected and turned away from these programs, and yet you are where you're at because someone believes that you should be. I think that is all the more reason to really try and put your most authentic and honest self forward, after all that is where we grow.