Which version of problem-solving method should I choose to keep my self-esteem due to almost-discovered lies?

Which version should you choose?

Do what you think is right.

I would choose method one.

Well, first off I wouldn’t have lied to begin with, but what’s done is done.

I’d go with method 1. Not only does it most elegantly address the situation, you won’t have to worry about covering a lie anymore.

Admitting you lied IMO may actually raise your self esteem as it takes guts to admit you lied and your LA should give you points for admitting your short coming. For maximum effect you should broach the subject before they have a chance to ask you.

The best way to raise your self esteem is to go to him and tell him you lied, and apologize, and, if you know, explain why you lied.

Everything else will be false emotionally, and you will know it is false. The three will contribute to lower self-esteem

For your esteem, admit you lied and take the consequences. Don’t expect them to reward your coming clean though. Do this for you and for the lesson that lies can really complicate things more than a less than ideal truth.

Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive! Better to have told the truth in the first place. I suspect he may already know so I would come clean at the earliest opportunity.

‘Fess up. In fact, spill your beans before it comes up again, to regain some of your credibility. Then go with Method 1.

Option 1. Lies require constant maintenance, while the truth, even belated shows character and allows you to put the lies of the past behind you.
My daughter used to have a lying problem and worked hard, with the accountability of several friends and family to overcome it. Her’s was so bad that she would lie for the sake of lying, even if it wouldn’t effect any outcome.
It took her several years, and actually ASKING others to call her out on her lies for her to overcome this nasty habit.
You need to start by being honest with yourself, and those you have lied to. Just the act of fessing up will relieve a burden on your heart.
Committing to live a life of integrity will do more for your self esteem than you can imagine.

Well said, @Judi.

I agree with all of the above statements, but there is another element that I didn’t see mentioned above. Why in the world is he asking a potentially embarrassing question in a public setting? This seems designed to humiliate.

I think I would go to him directly (as indicated above) and tell him that I was not clear why he asked me the question about my prior university in a public setting and that I provided an answer that was not accurate as my prior university is irrelevant to my current course of study and my being a conscientious student.

I also suspect that there are some cultural issues at play here that are not entirely clear to at least some of your American responders (myself included) and that a better understanding of the context of his asking you the question and why you responded as you did might help us understand the cultural considerations better.

You messed up. Learn from this so that you never tell a lie again.

Tell the truth and you will become stronger from it.

If you keep on telling lies then you will not learn from this mistake.

I think option one would build your self-esteem in the long run. I’m not going to rave on telling you that you did the wrong thing. You already know that. Now is the time for pro-action. I’d approach the lecturer and explain the situation. He’s human – we’re fallible. You’ll feel better and you won’t be chasing your tail every time you run into him.

To me the only viable option of the three given is “Option 1”

Stop trying to save your self-esteem. You through that away in the beginning. Take your licks and go with option 1.