Strategies for Saying No

Introduction

We know it can be difficult to say no to a friend requesting academic help, but depending on the instructions/directions your help could be academic dishonesty. See below for some strategies for saying no:

Center the Friendship

We know it is difficult to say no to a friend, but a case of academic dishonesty isn't exactly "friendship goals." Try saying: "Hey, thanks for thinking of me, but the instructions for the assignment say it's an individual project. I value our friendship and I don't want to jeopardize either of our academic standings."

Encourage Visiting Instructor's Office Hours

An instructor's office hours is a great opportunity to get your questions answered. Try saying: "I had that same question. I went to office hours and the instructor explained it better than I could. You should make an appointment, their office hours are Monday and Wednesday from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm."

Refer to Campus Resources

From the Rinella Learning Center to the Howe Center for Writing Excellence, there are several campus resources available to help you and your friend choose integrity. Try saying: "I noticed the Rinella Learning Center hosts workshops about test taking strategies. Do you want to check it out together?"