October is Academic Integrity Month! Academic integrity means questioning, analyzing and building your own ideas. Academic integrity is also about providing gratitude by acknowledging the scholars whose work supports your own.
Academic integrity isn’t just about avoiding mistakes; it’s about taking pride in your learning. Practicing it creates a space where everyone has the same chance to succeed. Here are some insights and resources to help you take on your assignments with confidence!
Express yourself through your writing
Submitting someone else’s work as your own is academic misconduct. Using your own words in assignments strengthens your understanding and helps you build confidence in your own voice as a writer.
- Originality in your work doesn’t necessarily mean inventing brand-new ideas, it means showing your unique perspective on the material.
- Proofreading your work can help you catch missing citations or unclear paraphrasing.
- Re-using your own work in multiple courses without permission is called self-plagiarism. Talk to your professor if you’d like to build on past work.
York’s Writing Centre offers one-on-one support to strengthen your academic voice.
Be cautious with GenAI
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) can give you quick answers, but it can’t think critically for you.
- GenAI tools can sound convincing but can still be wrong or make things up. Before relying on them, double-check important facts and details.
- Expectations for using GenAI can differ by professor and by assignment. Check your course syllabus, assignment guidelines and eClass announcements, or ask your instructor.
Check out the York Libraries events calendar for workshops on academic integrity, citation, research and more.
Study with confidence
York has many resources to help with study strategies, so you don’t feel pressure to cut corners.
- Taking effective notes while researching and studying helps you avoid unintentional plagiarism.
- It’s okay to ask for help when you’re stuck! Your professor or TA is there to support you.
- Collaborating responsibly means following your professor’s guidelines on what’s allowed. If you’re unsure, review the assignment guidelines or ask your instructor.
Reading Week is the perfect time to recharge and get ahead on assignments. Using this time wisely helps you avoid last-minute stress and mistakes, and supports academic integrity.
Resources to help you succeed
- York's academic integrity webpage has a list of resources to set you up for success.
- SPARK offers modules about time management, academic integrity and understanding assignments.
- Visit the Learning Skills Resources webpage for info on critical thinking, managing time, note-taking strategies and more.
- York offers many well-being resources to help you manage your health and find balance during your studies.
- The citation style guide helps you successfully complete citations for your assignments.
- To be clear on expectations, review York’s Senate Policy on Academic Conduct.
By practicing academic integrity, you help build a respectful and supportive academic community at York and develop skills that matter for your future, from graduate studies to the workplace.