ACADEMIC INTEGRITY ZINE
Recipe for
Success
A recipe for preparing for and applying great work, achieving success, and indulging in enjoying the process.
SERVES
All students
PREP TIME
One term
One assessment
One choice
DIFFICULTY
Easier than it looks
Hard the first time
#RecipeForSuccess
WHAT'S ON THE MENU
Six Things Worth Tasting
01
The Base Recipe
What academic integrity is.
02
Six Core Ingredients
Honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, courage.
03
Read the Recipe First
Where the line sits on teamwork and AI.
04
Kitchen Fails
What goes wrong, and why it usually isn't villainy.
05
Don't Let it Boil Over
Turning the heat down before it spills.
06
Find Your Table
Instructors, classmates, clubs, snacks, sleep.
THE BASE RECIPE
What Is Academic Integrity?
It's doing your own work, being honest about what you know, and crediting the people whose ideas you borrow. Same as citing the blog you got the recipe from.
It isn't a rulebook to survive — it's the reason your credential means something to the employer reading your resume.
And it's built the same way any good habit is: in small, ordinary choices, on ordinary Tuesdays.
Rule of thumb: if you'd feel weird explaining how you made it, check the recipe, try again.
THE INGREDIENT LIST
Six Core Ingredients
H
Honesty
Be straight about what's yours.
T
Trust
It's what lets us share ideas freely.
F
Fairness
Same standards, same effort, everyone.
R
Respect
For people and for ideas you disagree with.
R
Responsibility
Own the choice — good or awkward.
C
Courage
Do it right even when nobody's watching.
So — which one is hardest for you this term?
KNOW WHERE THE LINE IS
Read the Recipe Before You Cook
Two things live on a spectrum — and your instructor sets the dial for every single assessment.
Working with other people
Entirely on�your own
Talk through�ideas
Study group,�separate write-ups
Shared work,�shared credit
solo
full teamwork
Using generative AI
No AI at all
Brainstorming�only
Drafting help,�disclosed
Built into the�assignment
not allowed
encouraged, with credit
When in doubt, ask first. Asking is not admitting you don't know — it's how good cooks become great cooks.
WHEN IT GOES SIDEWAYS
Four Classic Kitchen Fails
Academic Misconduct, in plain language. Not an exhaustive list — which is exactly why asking pays off.
P
Plagiarism
Someone else's words, ideas, images or code passed off as yours — no credit given.
C
Cheating
Notes, phones or AI in a test where they aren't allowed, or unauthorized help.
M
Misrepresentation
Inventing or tweaking data, sources, quotes or documents that you didn't obtain or observe.
F
Facilitation of Academic Dishonesty
Doing — or handing over — work for someone else's solo assignment.
Not knowing isn't a defence — but a two-line email to your instructor beats every single one of these.
THE HUMAN SIDE
The Cheating Triangle
Good students slip. Rarely because they're bad people; usually because three things line up at once at about 2 a.m. the night before it is due.
Pressure
Deadlines, grades, rent, three finals in two days, a shift that ran long.
Opportunity
Unclear rules, unproctored work, AI one click away.
Rationalization
“Everyone does it.” “It was fine in my other class.” “I just need to pass.”
Don’t allow the pressure and uncertainty to determine what happens next.
PRESSURE
OPPORTUNITY
RATIONALIZING
the 2 a.m.�decision
Adapted from the Fraud Triangle (Cressey)
TURN THE HEAT DOWN
Don't Wait for the Pot to Boil Over
Every pressure on the last page has a free campus support behind it. Reaching out early is the whole trick.
Behind on the material
Learning Services, tutors, Writing Centre or Library supports
Deadline arrived too fast
Your instructor — ask about an extension or clarification
Stressed, anxious, worn out
Counselling & Wellness
Not sure of the rules
Your Students’ Association, an Academic Rights Advisor, or Ombudsperson
All free. All used constantly. None of them go on your transcript.
MISE EN PLACE
Set Up Your Station
Chefs prep before they cook. Listening to the subject matter experts, reading the material, trying it out on their own, practicing knowledge, skills and abilities.
Show up. Half of it really is that.
Show up
Attending class is the cheapest grade boost there is — you catch the hints, the changes and the vibe. Get to know your instructor!
Do the work
Small and steady beats one heroic all-nighter. Start the thing badly; get it on paper, edit it later.
Read the recipe
Each course outline says what's allowed. Skim it in week one, and you'll dodge most trouble.
Stuck for 30 minutes? That's the signal to ask for help, not to push through.
THE UNGLAMOROUS INGREDIENTS
Fed, Watered, Rested
Many poor academic decisions are made by someone who has not prioritized or had the time for things like studying, sleep and eating. Not just a Snickers commercial. You are not yourself if you are hungry or tired.
Fuel – Snack-ademic Integrity
Eat something before the exam that isn't just coffee. Campus wellness and food resources are there, no questions asked.
Hydrate
A water bottle on the desk is a boring superpower. Refill stations are everywhere on campus.
Rest
Sleep is when the studying files itself. An all-nighter costs more than the assignment is worth. Prioritize time to review your notes and course content. Regularly attend class. It will make a big difference.
Rested, nourished you makes much better decisions than 2 a.m. you.
COOKING IS A GROUP ACTIVITY
Find Your Table
Nobody does a whole credential alone. Belonging is the ingredient nobody lists.
Your Instructors
They would genuinely rather answer your question in week two than read your appeal in week twelve. Office hours are underbooked — use them.
Your Classmates
Study groups, shared confusion, someone to text about the lab. Just keep the graded work your own.
Clubs & Activities
Student association clubs, intramurals, events, volunteering. The friends you make on the sidelines carry you through the hard weeks.
One thing to do this week: say hi to one classmate and one instructor, then inquire about a club or event. That's the whole assignment.
THE CAMPUS PANTRY
Free, & Already Yours
Reach out to your own institutions’ support today. Seriously — today.
Advising
Education, career and learning-success planning.
Learning Services
Study skills, study groups, tutor registry.
Writing Centre
Free peer support for any writing task.
Library Services
Research help, quiet space, group rooms.
Counselling & Wellness
Confidential support.
Students' Association
Free guidance on your academic rights.
Asking for help early is always less costly than the alternative.
Start here:
[ your institution › Academic Support › Academic Integrity ]
STUDENT CONTEST · IDOA 2026
Share Your Signature Dish
The theme of the International Day of Action for Academic Integrity 2026 is "Recipes for Integrity". Everyone's mix of habits, values, and choices is different — show us your recipe for authentic work.
Who Can Enter
High school, college and university students are invited to enter the Student Recipe for Integrity Creative Contest.
Get Creative
Bake a cake, illustrate a recipe card, film a cooking show — or invent your own take on the theme.
How to Enter
Deadline: Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST. See full contest rules and submission form. Scan the QR CODE >>
There's no single recipe for integrity — we want to see yours.
SERVE WITH CONFIDENCE
Bon Appétit
Six Ingredients
Honesty, Trust, Fairness, Respect, Responsibility, Courage — practised on ordinary days in preparation for the tough days.
Ask Before You Cook
Teamwork and AI sit on a spectrum. Expectations change from course to course or assessment to assessment. Know what is allowed.
Support Beats Pressure
Advising, tutoring, writing support, counselling, library services and your students' association are free.
Before Term Starts
Complete your institution's academic integrity module before classes begin.
Questions, or just not sure? Connect with your institution’s Academic Integrity Office, Instructor or Students’ Union
When in doubt, ask first — it's always easier than fixing it after. #RecipeForSuccess
Created in collaboration with MS Copilot by K Bilodeau & R Stephen at NAIT