AITA for putting mistakes in my shared google doc notes?

Picture a bustling college lecture hall, where the scent of dry-erase markers mingles with the anxiety of Organic Chemistry I. Our Redditor, a 21-year-old whiz, diligently types notes into a shared Google Doc, a lifeline for his struggling classmates. But when he notices Jess, the object of his unspoken affection, leaning heavily on his work, a wild plan sparks. With a mix of mischief and misplaced hope, he considers slipping errors into the notes to orchestrate a tutoring session—and maybe a date.

This isn’t your typical campus crush story. Jess, unaware of her admirer’s scheming, is fighting to pass a brutal course, while our protagonist’s heart races at the thought of playing hero. His plan, however, lands like a failed experiment, earning a sharp rebuke from a friend who dubs him an “incel AH.” The fallout, shared on Reddit, crackles with drama, blending academic pressure with the awkward dance of young infatuation.

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‘AITA for putting mistakes in my shared google doc notes?’

I(21M) am currently taking Organic Chemistry I. Needless to say, the class is incredibly tough. Luckily though, I have been studying since day 1 so I am doing alright in the class. I am taking the class with a group of friends, so to help them out, I shared the personal notes that I take in class with them via a google doc, and I encouraged them to invite anyone they know.

Recently, one of my friends invited a friend of theirs, let's call her Jess(20F), who i've never really interacted with, but I have a massive crush on. I think she and I would make a great couple, but she's not really into sensitive smart guys, because on her Instagram, I see all her stories show her out with really jock-like men.

Our third exam is in a couple of days, and as I was going through the google doc, I realized that she was using my doc the most. You can see who looks at or edits the doc on google docs, and most of my other friends would pop up sometimes, but I would see her icon pop up alot.

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I also know for a fact that she isn't doing well in the class, so I got a really good idea. I would put subtle mistakes in the doc so that she wouldn't do well in the exam, and then I can offer to tutor her. That way, I can interact with her and talk to her, so that she'll realize that I have a great personality, and we can hopefully go out together.

I told my friend about this plan, and they called me an 'incel AH'. Personally, I think they're overreacting, because Jess isn't going to do well either way, even if I don't put mistakes, so my plan will actually benefit her grades, while also allowing me to interact with her and talk to her. I think it's a win win for everyone, but I was wondering if my friend may have been on to something, so AITA?

Crushes can make even the sharpest minds concoct bizarre plans, and this Redditor’s note-tampering scheme is a textbook case. Intending to sabotage Jess’s exam to secure tutoring time, he misjudged the line between strategy and manipulation. His reasoning—that Jess would fail anyway—clashes with her right to fair resources, especially in a high-stakes course like Organic Chemistry.

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This scenario taps into broader issues of academic integrity and consent. A 2022 study by the Journal of Academic Ethics found that 68% of college students have encountered peer behaviors that undermine fairness, like withholding resources. The Redditor’s plan, driven by a crush, risks eroding trust in collaborative spaces, particularly for women in STEM who already face systemic hurdles.

Psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour notes, “Young adults often misstep in romantic pursuits because they prioritize feelings over ethics”. Here, the Redditor’s fixation on Jess’s Instagram and assumptions about her preferences fueled a manipulative plot. His update, admitting fault, shows growth, but the initial impulse highlights a need for self-awareness.

To move forward, he could’ve offered help directly, building genuine connection without deceit. His story reminds us that honesty, not scheming, is the better catalyst for relationships. The Reddit community’s swift call-out helped him course-correct, proving that sometimes, a harsh mirror is the best teacher.

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Here’s how people reacted to the post:

Reddit didn’t hold back, unanimously labeling the Redditor the asshole. Commenters slammed his plan as manipulative and creepy, arguing that sabotaging Jess’s grades to force interaction was a gross overstep, especially given her clear lack of interest.

Many saw his attitude as patronizing, with some likening it to “supervillain logic.” The consensus was clear: tampering with shared resources is unethical, and using academic failure as a romantic ploy is a one-way ticket to “nice guy” infamy.

Narkareth − YTA. This... can't be real... Consider the following phrase: 'I like you, so I'll harm you, so I can save you, so you can view me as a hero.'. This is straight supervillain logic. It's like a more self centered version of the plot to Unbreakable.

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Huntress_of_the_Moon − So to be clear, you want to:. --intentionally sabotage someone's grade in a course they're spending money on. --manipulate a woman into spending time with you. --use studying as a cover to hit on a woman's who has shown no interest in you. Incel AH is the right call, and I hope your friends warn this woman about you. YTA.. Edit for formatting.. Edit 2: thank you for the awards, kind internet strangers.

BitiumRibbon − I(21M) am currently taking Organic Chemistry I. Needless to say, the class is incredibly tough. My old university roommates took Organic Chemistry. They said it was slightly less forgiving than an OSHA inspector with a cheating spouse.

I am taking the class with a group of friends, so to help them out, I shared the personal notes that I take in class with them via a google doc, and I encouraged them to invite anyone they know. Hoo, boy. Last time I saw someone open a can of worms that big, they were shopping for fishing supplies at Costco.

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Recently, one of my friends invited a friend of theirs, let's call her Jess(20F), who i've never really interacted with, but I have a massive crush on. I think she and I would make a great couple. *(Crack)*. ...pardon me, that was just the sound of me getting whiplash from the turn this story just took.

Excuse me, but you think that you and this girl you've 'never really interacted with' would 'make a great couple'? I saw better matches watching my blind friend play Concentration. What exactly gives you the impression that you'll be so darn good together?

but she's not really into sensitive smart guys, because on her Instagram, I see all her stories show her out with really jock-like men.. *(Pointed look to camera)* I realized that she was using my doc the most. You can see who looks at or edits the doc on google docs, and most of my other friends would pop up sometimes, but I would see her icon pop up alot. You don't say.

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You mean someone actually found your freely-given, helpful resource to be...helpful? Fancy the f\*\*k out of that. I also know for a fact that she isn't doing well in the class, so I got a really good idea. Reach out to her and maybe break the ice by offering to help her study? Although, no...you'd probably get one or two sessions in and then think you're entitled to s**.

I would put subtle mistakes in the doc so that she wouldn't do well in the exam, and then I can offer to tutor her. Oh, and here I thought you were just going to undermine her and contribute to her failure out of *spite*. No, turns out you're not just an a**hole, you're a manipulative, controlling, Black-Mamba-levels-of-toxic a**hole..

I told my friend about this plan, and they called me an 'incel AH'.. True. Personally, I think they're overreacting, because Jess isn't going to do well either way, even if I don't put mistakes, so my plan will actually benefit her grades, while also allowing me to interact with her and talk to her.

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You missed the part where you might manage a similar result by just, y'know...offering to tutor her. But then you couldn't get off on pulling the strings. But, as we've already established

she is much better off staying as far away from you and your judgemental, NiceGuy^(TM), Tate-esque attitude. I hope your friend spills all the beans, because you've got your head so far up your ass you're getting teabagged by your own stomach. **YTA.**

TinyRascalSaurus − Is this the Incel troll again? Or do you seriously think real life works like this? YTA if this is real because you're trying to manipulate a girl into spending time with you, all because of feelings she doesn't share. It's creepy and stalkerish.

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RooTT4 − The way you talk about her is so demeaning and patronising. YTA absolutely.

Level_Quantity7737 − YTA. JUST TALK TO HER You have a talking point in the notes, mention you noticed that she was using it(not how much) and ask if they're helping and if there's anything you can clarify. Do not sabotage her or anyone else. Do not be manipulative. Be upfront and just fricken talk.

cece_you_l8r − Omg as a chem major I would be so mad if you had done this to me. Also as someone who met her boyfriend THROUGH organic chemistry, I can guarantee you that being nice and working together is a WAY better solution than trying to get her to fail an exam. Women in chem have enough issues with sexist lab partners and structural discrimination, don’t add to it. YTA

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Kasparian − YTA. Not only is it a jerk move, but it’s creepy. If someone likes you, they’ll find the time for you. I don’t know a single woman who would want this weird manipulation you’re trying to pull.

3FungerMunger − 'I'm being a manipulative creep. AITA?'. Obviously YTA

sky_corrigan − YTA and an incel and you will end up on r/niceguys no doubt. The fact that you can't see anything wrong with this AND think people would agree with you just shows how honestly deranged you are.

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This tale of misfired romance and academic mischief leaves us chuckling at the folly of youth. Our Redditor learned the hard way that love potions don’t mix well with Google Docs. Have you ever stumbled in the name of a crush or faced a classmate’s shady tactics? Share your stories below and let’s swap some campus confessions.

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