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49 Best Excuses For Not Doing Homework

February 10, 2024

Last Updated on February 10, 2024 by Ketan

No, you can’t use ‘I’d a fever’ as the best excuse for not doing homework.

Because someone already has the same reason. And it’s too regular.

Also, blaming a dog for biting out your assignment book is totally unbelievable.

Then you may ask, what to say when the teacher asks ‘Where’s your homework?’

Well, don’t worry to help you out in such a situation, we provide you with all the fresh, believable excuses to give.

That your teacher will accept it as a valid reason for missing your assignment.

( Note: This is just for entertainment purposes. Please don’t make a habit of relying on these excuses every day. Better if you do your homework on time.)

Good Excuses For Not Doing Homework

You know you must do your exam on time.

But you didn’t get the right time or mood to actually sit and complete it.

Whether you’ve played all day, overslept, or just not doing homework anyway, you need something to say to your teacher as a valid reason.

Have these good reasons to convince your teacher why you came to school without the homework.

1. “Someone told me that the date of submission is extended.”

2. “I have done my homework, but I forget where I put my notebook.”

3. “We have surprised guest visitors and they stay the whole day.”

4. “Because I didn’t know where to start, I’m unable to complete the homework.”

5. “There’s some fixing work going on at my home, especially in my room.”

6. “I was about to do homework, but I don’t understand a thing.”

7. “There were some other priorities. More important than homework.”

8. “I have a reason, but I can’t share it with you, please believe me.”

9. “I’ve misplaced the notebooks, still unable to find them. So I couldn’t complete it.”

10. “There was a rumor that you were on leave today.”

11. “I had no time for homework because there are so many things going on at home.”

12. “My family and I were out of the city the entire day yesterday and we returned late.”

13. “After school, I have to work at our family business. My dad already trained me for it.”

14. “I forgot my bag here so I’m not able to complete it at home.”

15. “Thought I would do it late at night, but I slept quite earlier than usual.”

16. “My entire day went into doing some extracurricular, and I didn’t get time for homework.”

READ NEXT: Great Comebacks For Your Kids

Funny Reasons For Not Doing Homework

Well, some excuses are so ridiculous that they make your teacher and your fellow students laugh.

Indeed, there is a risk of you appearing dumb in front of your class.

But because it’s a hilarious and creative reason, it might still work in your favor.

Or at least to come up with new excuses than anyone else can think of.

1. “It was my birthday yesterday. And, I don’t want to celebrate it by doing just homework.”

2. “My parents brought a pet for me. So I played with him the whole day.”

3. “After I completed my homework, my sibling ripped my assignment apart.”

4. “I’ve to babysit my little brother with nobody at home to take care of us.”

5. “I was lost in the mall while going shopping with my mum and found it in the evening.”

6. “My elder sibling has thrown my assignment book in the trash.”

7. “Our cousin used my homework to make a paper plane and they just flew it.”

8. “My family wants me to go to a boarding school, so I’m just getting ready for it.”

9. “I was looking for the right time to get it done, but I didn’t get it .”

10. “My mom and dad fought and the entire day went on just to settle things down.”

11. “My grandparents visited our home yesterday, and I’ve been busy with them.”

12. “Because there is so much homework for different subjects, I can’t do any of them.”

13. “My internet went off while you’ve given the assignments to us.”

14. “I accept that I didn’t do my homework now, but I promise to complete it tomorrow.”

15. “There’s some family issue going on at home. So, I’m unable to complete the assignment.”

16. “My dad took my bag for some reason and today I have to come with a spare bag.”

17. “This is the first time I forgot the lesson, and you have to understand that I have some reason for that.”

Believable Excuses For Not Doing Homework

Whatever reason you are about to give for not completing your assignment, your teacher will judge it logically.

So you just can’t share any reason that’s on your mind.

Be careful with your reasons or excuses before saying why you didn’t do your homework.

If you want some believable reasons that your teacher can’t deny, here’s the whole list of them.

Believable Excuses For Not Doing Homework

1. “I asked my dad to help me with my homework, but he doesn’t know a thing either.”

2. “I’ve saved my assignment, but I don’t know where it is now. The file is lost on the PC.”

3. “I forgot to save my homework and all the work was just gone.”

4. “There were system errors on my PC. So it was not possible to do homework.”

5. “My computer just got hacked and I must delete everything including homework.”

6. “I felt the pain in my writing hand, and now I’m feeling better.”

7. “After school, we had to go to some event and I lost my bag somewhere there.”

8. “I thought today was a holiday. So I didn’t do it.”

9. “Remember I told you that my computer is in repair, the technician hasn’t returned it.”

10. “I’ve been at an important event with my family and came back this morning.”

11. “It was my sister’s marriage, so I was not able to complete my homework.”

12. “I was stuck in the giant toy car the whole day and not able to do homework later.”

13. “We bought a new TV. So, me and my brother watched our cartoon the whole day.”

14. “I was helping other kids in school to complete assignments, but I forgot mine.”

15. “My notebook fell into our swimming pool and I couldn’t save it in time.”

16. “It’s not my dog, but my cat peed on my notebook. I couldn’t bring my notebook today, but I will tomorrow.”

READ NEXT: Smart Responses To Every ‘Why?’ Question

We all agree that we have the entire day to do it, but the best time to do homework is ‘the last hour’ before submission.

But sometimes you can’t even do your homework in that precious time, too.

Because you don’t want to do it, or just give up.

When you fail to do or submit your assignment last time, you need some good excuses for not doing homework that your teacher could believe and accept.

We hope we’ve suggested the best reasons to share to be safe this time.

But Hey, next time you do your homework properly, Right?

This list covers last-minute excuses to get you another chance.

Hope this frees you from any punishments or embarrassment at school.

But, promise us, that you will do your homework on time from now on. We don’t want you to use these excuses anymore, too.

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Specialized in marketing, with 'communication' as a favorite subject, Ketan P. is a head writer at 'Better Responses'. He loves to share his unique perspectives and ways to make everyday conversations a bit 'lively'.

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Late Assignment Excuses That Don`t Fail

Table of contents

Writing Metier

Almost every student needs late assignment excuses from time to time. Academic success depends on submitting assignments on time, but unexpected obstacles tend to arise at times. Even though it is always better to plan things ahead and manage time properly, looking for excuses is a common part of student life.

In fact, some need late assignment excuses all the time. It is common for students to fail their assignment submission within the duration the professor stipulates. For example, the stress of keeping up with everything that happens to the academic life of students can make them miss deadlines .

Even though some students are careless, some situations are genuine, and professors consider them. Still, it is necessary to ask for a submission deadline assignment extension, and the teacher will expect a decent reason for delaying the deadline.

Here, you will find a few good and creative excuses for late assignments that might help you solve the problem.

Good Excuses for Late Assignments

It is better to avoid this kind of situations and ask for help if you feel that you are going to miss the deadline. For this purpose, you can contact writing services, such as Writing Metier, and you will not have to look for any excuses.

The thing is that the agency has a team of professional writers who are always there to write an urgent paper for you, no matter how tough the deadline is.

If you have already got into this kind of situation and missed your deadline, it is time to come up with a good explanation. Below, you will find a few valid excuses for late homework .

Personal injury or illness . If there was a sudden injury or illness that made it hard for you to complete the assignment on time, it is a good reason to ask for the deadline to be extended. You can offer the necessary proof that what you are saying is true, and it can be a medical certificate .
Family emergency . You might have to ask for an extension for your task if there is a serious family emergency, like the occurrence of a natural disaster or the hospitalization of a family member.
Technical issues . This is one of the good excuses for late homework because technical problems might be beyond your control. For example, there can be an internet outage, a computer crash, or a software malfunction. These issues make it barely possible to complete the assignment and submit it on time. You should let your professor know immediately, if possible, and provide proof like error messages or screenshots.
Unforeseen events . You might fail to finish your assignment because of unexpected situations, such as transportation problems, last-minute work commitments, or a personal crisis. If something like that occurs, you should be honest and open with your professor about it.
Academic overload . At times, it can be hard to meet all the deadlines if you are overwhelmed with loads of coursework and assignments. In this case, proactive communication with your professor might eliminate the need to look for a lame excuse for late assignment .

Examples of Excuses for Late Assignment Submission

Apologies for the late submission, but my word processing software crashed repeatedly, causing me to lose significant portions of my work and delaying my progress.
I’m sorry for the delay, but I had an urgent health appointment that I couldn’t reschedule, which affected my ability to complete the assignment on time.
My apologies for the late submission. I experienced unexpected car trouble and spent several hours dealing with repairs, leaving me with no time to finish my assignment.
I apologize for the delay. I had to take care of a family member who was unwell, which took up all my available time for working on my assignment.
Sorry for the late submission, but the library was unexpectedly closed due to maintenance issues, preventing me from accessing crucial resources needed for my assignment.
Apologies for the delay, but I had overlapping deadlines with a group project that required extensive coordination, which impacted my ability to complete this assignment.
I’m sorry for the delay. I had an urgent and extended meeting with my mentor/advisor regarding my academic progress, which took longer than anticipated.
My apologies for the late submission. I needed to take a mental health day to address overwhelming stress and anxiety, which affected my productivity.
I apologize for the delay. I was called into work for an unexpected shift and couldn’t decline, which left me with insufficient time to complete my assignment.
Sorry for the late submission, but I was required to participate in an urgent volunteer event for a cause I’m committed to, which took up all my available time.

Poor Excuses for Late Homework

While it is important to be truthful and open about good excuses for being late, it is equally important to identify and avoid offering lame excuses that show a lack of accountability. Here are a few examples that tend to be perceived as unconvincing or inappropriate:

Procrastination . Blaming poor time management or procrastination for the delay will obviously have a negative impact on your ability to prioritize your tasks. It is always preferable to take responsibility for your actions instead of using procrastination as an excuse for late assignment .
Social events or partying . If you ever say that you failed to complete the assignment because you were out attending parties, social events, or other activities implies, it implies that you value your leisure time more than your studies.
Power or internet outage . Even though technical issues can occasionally happen, using a power or internet outage as an explanation without supporting documentation or evidence might be regarded as a lame excuse. It is better to have a backup plan, such as alternative internet sources .
Forgetting the submission date . Forgetting the due date for a task is not the best excuse for late assignment . The thing is that it shows a lack of focus and planning. It is essential to remember submission dates, utilize reminders, calendars, and other organization tools to succeed.
Personal relationship issues . It might be unconvincing and unprofessional to blame a late submission on relationship problems or disagreements with family, friends, or romantic partners. You should keep personal matters separate from studies and look for help or support if necessary.
Lack of resources . Your professor might not accept it if you state that you failed to finish the assignment because you did not have enough materials or books. It is crucial to plan ahead and make quick use of the resources.

Examples of Excuses That DON’T Work

Do I really need to give you some real examples here? Not sure, but okay, let me give you some:

I’m sorry my assignment is late. I kept putting it off and ended up running out of time.
I apologize for the delay, but I was out at a party last night and didn’t get around to finishing my homework.
Sorry for the late submission. My internet went out, and I couldn’t submit the assignment on time. I don’t have any proof, but it happened.
I completely forgot the due date for the assignment. I didn’t set a reminder, and it just slipped my mind.
My assignment is late because I had an argument with my partner, and I couldn’t concentrate on my work.
I couldn’t finish the assignment on time because I didn’t have the necessary books and materials. I didn’t plan ahead to get them.

Don’t use these excuses unless you want to have some further issues afterward.

A Few Funny Late Assignment Excuses

If you fail to come up with good excuses for not submitting an assignment on time, you might need a funny excuse. You should not have high expectations about them, but they still might work if your professor has a good sense of humor.

The ‘time warp’ excuse . Each of us at least once had a day where time seemed to go away faster. You can swear that you started working on your paper, but you just blinked and already missed the deadline. You can tell your professor that time sped up, and you suddenly got caught in a time warp.
A ‘humanitarian’ excuse . This kind of excuse involves situations where you are not able to meet deadlines because of your involvement in events or activities aimed at contributing to humanitarian causes or helping others. These late assignment excuses arise from a sense of compassion, duty, or responsibility towards those in need. These activities also guarantee a sense of humanity to professors as they show how committed you are to helping others. This explanation might work, but it is still better to ask Writing Metier professionals to complete the assignment for you.
The ‘government spy’ excuse . This kind of stories tends to include stating involvement in a covert government operation, often with exaggerated or humorous twists. For example, you can say that you are a spy who works for the government and are always set off on top-secret missions.

Late Assignment Excuses Examples

Several examples of first-person late assignment excuses examples with a note of humor. Use them wisely if your prof has no sense of humor:

My bad for the late submission. I was busy ensuring my sleep paralysis demon didn’t have any design notes for my paper.
I apologize for the delay, but my assignment was held hostage by the void staring back at me. We’re negotiating its release now.
Sorry for turning this in late. My evil twin took over my life for a bit and apparently, he’s not great at deadlines.
Sorry for the delay, but my procrastination finally teamed up with my anxiety to form an unbeatable duo.
I apologize for the delay, but I got trapped in an existential crisis and couldn’t find the exit until this morning.
I have to apologize for turning this in late, but I spilled coffee on my keyboard and my assignment ended up looking like ancient hieroglyphics.
Apologies for the delay, but I accidentally left my laptop in “airplane mode” and it must have taken a virtual trip around the world before I could get it back.
I’m sorry my assignment is late, but I mistakenly submitted my grocery list instead. Who knew “milk and eggs” weren’t acceptable sources?
I have to confess, my assignment is late because I accidentally saved it in a folder so hidden, even Indiana Jones would have trouble finding it.
My apologies for the late assignment, but my computer had a meltdown, and I spent the night trying to convince it not to retire early.

These are not late assignment excuses that don`t fail , but they can make your professor laugh. Still, it is better to ask for assistance from Writing Metier before you get into trouble instead of making up stories.

You should avoid lying habitually to your professor about your assignments. Otherwise, they will never believe you in the event of a real emergency if you lied in the past. You should move forward and do your best to submit your papers on time.

The Importance of Completing Assignments on Time

Punctuality plays an important role when it comes to success in your academics. Submitting papers on time is really critical because it helps keep everything organized and highlights your respect for deadlines. When it comes to studies, deadlines are not just suggestions – they are essential points for learning and seeing how well you are doing .

Late submissions tend to come with a price to pay, which is often in the form of deductions from grades and penalties. Therefore, late submissions can affect your academic standing and overall learning experience. In addition to that, being late never looks good because it shows that you are not good enough at managing your time and being responsible.

These skills are critical, not just when it comes to your studies, but in real life, too. Therefore, you should focus on your studying and deadlines instead of looking for good excuses for not submitting an assignment .

What to Do If You Fail to Submit a Paper on Time

If you realize that you are going to miss the deadline and never asked for assignment help from Writing Metier, you should prepare to submit it late without facing too strict disciplinary actions. The professor might even penalize you for handing in the paper one minute late if you do not acknowledge and apologize.

That is why you should not panic or ignore your failure to submit on time. Instead, you should follow these steps to solve the problem without undesirable consequences.

You should talk to your professor early

Letting your professor know that you are not able to complete the task on time shows that you are not a lazy student waiting to provide late assignment excuses at the very last moment. The professor will most probably appreciate your efforts to share the unexpected issues with them in advance.

You should keep things short and to the point

The briefer your excuse is, the easier it will be for your professor to remember. Therefore, while talking to your teacher, you should highlight the significant reasons. Going into excessive detail will most probably look suspicious.

You should meet with the professor.

You should be calm and do your best to convince the teacher of the validity of your excuse to be late with your paper. It is also critical to show the teacher that you will not be late because of laziness or lack of motivation. You should also consider the professor`s personality – if they are strict, you should be ready to answer a lot of questions.

You should send an email to your professor.

If the task`s due date is pretty close, you should write an email to your professor. There, you need to explain your situation, the reason for your circumstance, and apologize for the delay. You should also be respectful and address your professor or teacher by their title and last name.

You should take responsibility

Professors and teachers do not like students who continue asking for deadline extensions. However, if your issue hinders you from submitting it on time, you should ask for an extension and take responsibility. It is a bad idea to blame your professor or institution for providing insufficient time. You should be mature and make it clear why you fail to meet the deadline.

You should promise the professor that it will never happen again

You are not going to be lucky if you fail to submit your paper on time and have to provide an excuse for late assignment . Still, you should promise the professor that this situation will never happen again in the future and follow through. The professor must feel that your apologies are sincere.

If you follow this advice, your professor might accept your excuses for failing to complete the task on time.

Get Professional Assignment Help From Writing Metier

There is no need to wait until your professor decides to penalize you. It is also a bad idea to look for good excuses for not submitting an assignment on the due date and hope that they will work. Instead, you can seek assistance with your task.

The Writing Metier team comprises knowledgeable writers with a reputation for delivering the best online help to students at different academic levels. Our agency offers reliable, trustworthy, and high-quality assistance to students from different parts of the globe. Our experienced writers are ready to help you if you are struggling with an essay , term paper, or any other type of assignment.

Writing Metier also guarantees that your assignment will be written from scratch and according to your requirements. As a result, you will receive a top-quality paper that will be unique and written without the use of any AI tools .

You can get acquainted with numerous positive reviews from those who chose to ask for our help instead of using late assignment excuses to get deadline extensions.

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Vasyl Kafidoff is a co-founder and CEO at WritingMetier. He is interested in education and how modern technology makes it more accessible. He wants to bring awareness about new learning possibilities as an educational specialist. When Vasy is not working, he’s found behind a drum kit.

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7 Homework Excuses That Work

At some point in our academic journeys, we’ve all faced the challenge of not having our homework ready for submission. While it’s crucial to adhere to deadlines and maintain consistency in our academic responsibilities, there are moments when life throws a curveball that interferes with our best-laid plans. This essay explores the fine line between credible and non-credible excuses for not turning in homework. We delve into the elements that differentiate an honest explanation from an unconvincing one, shedding light on what educators generally consider acceptable reasons. Furthermore, we consider the nuanced art of communicating these reasons to our instructors—how the subtleties of tone, diction, body language, and timing can impact the reception of our message—and emphasize the significance of an approach grounded in integrity and respect.

Table of Contents

Understanding Credible Excuses

Crafting the Perfect Homework Excuse: A Credible Approach!

Oh, the dreaded forgotten homework – every parent’s twist in the tale! It happens to the best of them: kiddos who usually have their act together but somehow, someway, that math worksheet vanished into thin air. Now, as much as we want our little angels to be the epitome of responsibility, sometimes the dog really does eat the homework. But when it comes to offering up that excuse to the teacher, credibility is key.

So, what transforms a homework excuse from eye-roll inducing to totally plausible? Let’s dive in and equip those littles with legitimate-sounding reasons for a homework hiccup.

First things first, honesty is always the best policy—no matter how cliché that sounds. A simple, straightforward explanation will often do the trick. Teachers have a sixth sense for tall tales, so keeping it real is the way to go.

Time for the nitty-gritty on crafting excuses that hold water:

Lost in the Abyss of Busyness

The modern family calendar is a labyrinth of appointments, activities, and events. When the homework assignment slips through the cracks of a packed schedule, it’s understandable. The key? Mention the hectic day, apologize, and assure it’s a rarity, not the norm.

Technological Turmoil

In this digital age, gadgets and gizmos have a mind of their own. If a printer declared mutiny or the family PC caught a cold (a virus!), it’s a valid hiccup. Explaining the tech-tastrophe followed by assurance that steps are being taken to avoid future glitches will win some empathy points.

Mother Nature’s Mood Swings

Sometimes the elements unleash their fury, and power outages or natural disasters can wreak havoc on homework completion. If Mother Nature decided to throw a tantrum, it’s perfectly acceptable to explain that homework took a backseat to safety and candles.

Juggling too Many Balls

A delicate balance exists between school, sports, and spelling tests. If your child dropped the homework ball in the juggle, it’s okay to admit it. Sharing how they’re reorganizing priorities to ensure schoolwork isn’t sidelined again shows growth and maturity.

Health Hurdles

When snuffles, coughs, or fevers strike, brains can turn to mush. If illness is the culprit behind missing homework, a brief note about the germ invasion, maybe backed up by a doctor’s note if it’s serious, communicates the absence of homework wasn’t for lack of effort.

A Message from the Heart

Life is unpredictable, and sometimes, serious family matters take precedence. Without oversharing, it’s perfectly okay to let the teacher know that extenuating circumstances took the spotlight.

Remember, the trick with any excuse is a sprinkle of sincerity, a dash of humility, and the unspoken promise to make things right. Teachers aren’t monsters out to get you—well, most aren’t, anyway. They understand life’s little curveballs, and as long as these trips and stumbles aren’t forming a pattern, a credible excuse will likely earn a chance for redemption.

So, go forth, craft those credible homework explanations when needed, and always a tip for the kiddos: have a backup plan for next time. Like, homework-eating-dog-proof folders, perhaps? Stay prepared and stay believable, and that homework hiccup will just be a minor bump on the educational highway. Happy studying!

Image of a child looking worried with a crumpled piece of paper in hand

Photo by anniespratt on Unsplash

Effective Communication Skills

Communicating with your child’s teacher about a missed assignment or an inability to complete homework can feel a bit daunting, but worry not, there are straightforward ways to do this effectively. imagine you’re crafting a short story: you want the message to be clear, the context to be sufficient, and the conclusion to be natural and constructive. let’s dig in, shall we.

First off, keep it timely. Don’t wait until the eleventh hour or, heaven forbid, after the due date to get in touch. Shoot for gold-star status by notifying the teacher as soon as you realize completing the homework won’t be possible.

Now, while you’re penning that email or jotting down notes for a conversation, be sure to include the three E’s: explanation, empathy, and evidence. A good ol’ explanation tells the teacher what’s going on without making the situation an epic novel. Keep it brief; teachers appreciate conciseness as much as the next person.

Empathy is your next step. Show that you understand the importance of homework and respect the teacher’s time and effort. A simple phrase like, “I understand how this can disrupt your lesson plans…” goes a long way.

As for evidence, you don’t need a courtroom-style presentation. Still, if you’re referring to something specific like a doctor’s note for an illness or documentation of a family emergency, mention that you can provide it if necessary.

The next chapter in our excuse manual covers the manner of delivery. Pick your medium thoughtfully. Email is often ideal for a paper trail, but sometimes a phone call or face-to-face chat is more personal and effective, especially for sensitive issues.

Then there’s the follow-up plan. Outline how you or your kiddo will catch up or make amends for the missed work. Teachers love proactive problem-solvers, so let them know you’re on team “Let’s Fix This.”

To wrap it up here, folks, remember the golden rule of excuses: keep it genuine. Veer away from fantastical stories that could rival sci-fi movies. An honest, straightforward approach is like comfort food—it’s just right and leaves everyone feeling a bit better.

So, armed with these pointers, you’re ready to craft that excuse in the most effective, thoughtful way possible. Here’s to keeping those lines of communication as friendly and productive as a well-loved family kitchen – it’s where the magic, and the understanding, happens. Happy explaining!

Illustration of person talking to their child's teacher about missed homework

Mastering the skill of effectively presenting a valid excuse for incomplete homework hinges on a balance of authenticity and strategic communication. By recognizing the distinctions between what is considered a justifiable reason and what may be perceived as an attempt to shirk responsibility, adults can navigate these awkward situations with grace and accountability. Equipped with the methods discussed herein for conveying our reasons respectfully and convincibly, we’re not only better prepared to face unexpected hindrances in our educational pursuits but also capable of fostering a sense of understanding and trust with our educators. Ultimately, the respect we show towards our commitments, educators, and ourselves defines the value we derive from our educational experiences.

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Mastering homework excuses: strategies for effective response and resolution.

Title: Strategies for Dealing with Homework ExcusesWe’ve all been there – the moment when you’re faced with a stack of homework assignments and a flurry of excuses as to why they haven’t been completed. Homework excuses are a universal phenomenon, but they don’t have to be a source of frustration for students, teachers, or parents.

In this article, we will explore common homework excuses and strategies for dealing with them effectively. From funny and creative excuses to respectful and truthful ones, we will equip you with the tools you need to address homework excuses in a productive and educational way.

Clich Homework Excuses

We’ll begin with the clich excuses that have been used time and time again. While these excuses may feel overused, they still warrant attention to ensure they are appropriately addressed.

Some common examples include:

– My dog ate my homework. – My computer broke.

– My mom forgot it. – The internet was out.

– My grandma died. Again.

– The older kids took it off me and tore it up.

Funny Homework Excuses

In an attempt to inject some humor into the situation, students often come up with outlandish excuses that are impossible not to chuckle at. Here are a few examples:

– My mother wanted to display it on the fridge.

– The police confiscated it as evidence. – I was abducted by aliens and they took it.

– I sent it to you in the post. – My dad mistook it for a letter and posted it to China.

– I had to burn it in the fireplace to keep myself warm. – It flew out the window of the car.

– I thought I’d do it tomorrow because I’ll be older and wiser then. – I did my work.

It’s all up here in my head. – I didn’t do it because I didn’t want to add to your workload.

– My hand fell asleep and I didn’t want to wake it. – My cat ate it, knowing that I’d blame the dog.

Excuses For Strict Teachers

Some teachers have a reputation for being particularly strict, and students may feel the need to come up with more elaborate excuses. Here are some excuses commonly used for strict teachers:

– I was sick, and I have a sick note.

– My mother or father went to the hospital, and here’s the sick note. – My computer screen broke, and here’s a picture.

– The computer broke, but here are my handwritten notes. – The Wi-Fi didn’t work, but here are my handwritten notes.

– I wasn’t here when the work was assigned. – I tried, but I didn’t understand the instructions.

– I volunteer at the soup kitchen on Monday nights. – I’m so sorry.

I thought it was right here in my bag. – I had way too much homework for my other class.

– The library was closed, and I don’t have internet at home.

Truthful Homework Excuses

While honesty is always the best policy, sometimes the truth can be a valid excuse for unfinished homework. Here are some truthful excuses students may encounter:

– I was too busy doing something more important.

– My parents kept me really busy on the weekend, but I promise I’ll do it tonight. – I was at football practice all night.

– I did my homework, but I left it at home. – I forgot I even had homework.

– The computer didn’t break. It was the printer this time.

– I had a headache. – The homework was far too easy.

– My tutor accidentally took it home with them. – I accidentally squished it in the bottom of my bag, and now it’s got rotten apple juice all over it.

– I spilled cereal all over it because I was doing it over breakfast.

Blame the Parents

Sometimes, students find themselves blaming their parents for their incomplete homework. While this may not be the most productive approach, it’s important to acknowledge these sentiments.

Here are a few examples:

– My parents don’t believe in homework and won’t let me do it. – My mother said band practice was more important.

– I help my father at work on a Tuesday afternoon. I just can’t get it done on Tuesdays.

– My father looked at it, said it was outrageous government indoctrination, and told me not to do it. – My mother was looking over my homework and forgot to give it back to me.

– My mother threw it in the trash.

Blame the Teachers

Lastly, students may feel inclined to blame their teachers for assigning excessive or confusing homework. While it’s important to approach this issue with respect, it’s essential to address any concerns.

Here are some examples:

– You give too much homework. – Your instructions are impossible to understand.

– This was way too hard for me. You need to give me more guidance.

– The homework is too easy. It’s a complete waste of my time.

– Between you and all my other teachers, you’re assigning hours of homework every night. You all need to get together and resolve this.

Let the Teacher Know in Advance

One effective strategy for dealing with homework excuses is to let the teacher know in advance if there’s a genuine reason why the work couldn’t be completed. This shows responsibility and allows the teacher to make appropriate accommodations.

Provide Evidence

When faced with an excuse, it’s crucial to encourage students to back up their claims with evidence. Whether it’s a doctor’s note, a picture, or handwritten notes, supporting evidence helps teachers understand and address the situation appropriately.

Conclusion:

Homework excuses can be frustrating, but they also present an opportunity for growth and learning. By understanding common excuses and employing effective strategies for dealing with them, students, teachers, and parents can work together to foster responsibility, accountability, and a positive learning environment.

So next time an excuse comes your way, be prepared to address it with empathy and understanding.

Excuses For Not Doing Homework

As a student, I understand the importance of completing homework assignments. But sometimes, it can be difficult to find the motivation or time to get your work done. I’m sure many of us have been in a situation where we’ve had to come up with excuses for not doing our homework.

Although it’s never ideal to make excuses, sometimes it’s necessary. Here are some of the most common excuses for not doing homework:

I didn’t understand the assignment.

This is a common excuse, especially if you’re in a class where the material is new or unfamiliar. If this is the case, don’t be afraid to ask your teacher for clarification. They’ll be more than happy to help you understand the assignment better.

I had a family emergency.

If you have a family emergency, this is a valid excuse for not doing your homework. Your teacher will likely understand and be willing to work with you to make up the work.

I was sick.

If you’re sick, it’s understandable that you may not be able to complete your homework. Your teacher should be understanding of this.

I had too much work.

Sometimes, teachers assign too much work and it can be overwhelming. If this is the case, talk to your teacher about it and see if they can reduce the workload.

I had a test the next day.

If you had a test the next day, it’s understandable that you may not have had time to complete your homework. Your teacher should be understanding of this.

I had to work.

If you have a job, your teacher should understand that you may not have had time to complete your homework.

I had a project due.

If you had a project due, your teacher should understand that you may not have had time to complete your homework.

The 10 Most Common Homework Excuses Teacher's Receive (And How to Come up with Better Ones)

Trent Lorcher
Categories : Study & learning tips for parents & students
Tags : Homework help & study guides

You might wonder why a teacher would want to help you with “I forgot my homework” excuses. It’s simple. I’m tired of hearing the same excuses every time I collect an assignment. I want you to be more creative. The top homework excuses of the past no longer give me the thrill of detective work like they used to. I’ve already figured out a way to shoot them down, to humiliate you, and make you feel silly. I feel like General Zaroff must have felt in “The Most Dangerous Game.” I need a new challenge, so here’s a list of top homework excuses, why you should never use them, and subtle changes you can make to be more effective.

10 Most Common Excuses & How to Improve Them

I forgot my homework : That’s weak! You can do better than “I forgot my homework,” Can’t you? Even if you did forget your homework, come up with something more creative than this. Here’s a little trick: “I forgot my homework, but my mom said she’ll bring it in during lunch/after school.” This will buy you a few hours. Do the assignment during lunch and bring it in after school.
My printer doesn’t work : Come on! Did your printer work last week? Did it work the day before yesterday? Or did it mysteriously stop working right when you were about to print out your assignment? There are millions of functioning printers in the world. There are probably several at your school, including one in your teacher’s classroom. They’re not going to buy this. Try this one instead: “My printer ran out of ink last night. Can I e-mail it to you when I get home?” This will buy you some time and your teacher isn’t going to check too closely. Just have it e-mailed before 5:00 and you’re safe.
I didn’t know it was due today : Are you serious? It’s been on the board for a week-and-a-half. It’s been mentioned every day at the start of class. It’s on the class website. The other 36 kids in the class knew it was due today. Don’t ever try this one. Even if you didn’t know it was due, you should have.
I lost it: Try using that one with the power company. Try “my backpack was stolen” or “I left my binder on the bus.”
I was absent: Yea, you were sick 5 days ago when I assigned it, but you’ve been here every day since. Didn’t it occur to you that you needed to find out what you missed before it was due. Try “I was really sick last night and was unable to finish it. If you want, I can bring a note from my Mom.”
Start crying : This is actually really effective if you’re a girl. If you’re not a girl, don’t try this, nor should you try its sister excuse: “it’s that time of the month.”
I cleaned out my notebook and threw it away : Maybe you should clean out your head before using this classic. Nobody believes you threw anything out of your notebook because it’s exploding with papers. Use the “I got my notebook stolen” instead.
I didn’t do it : Some teachers may give you some points for honesty, but they already know you didn’t do it.
I had a game last night : Most teachers will give you the “so, you think ___________ (name of sport) is more important than _______ (name of class)?” response. If you’re teacher is a huge sports fan and if your team won and if you played an integral role in the victory, you may get a break.
I never got the homework: The 38 other students in class all got the assignment and began working on it immediately, but you neither got the assignment nor bothered to ask what the rest of the class was doing?

As you can see, teachers have wised up to your antics. No longer are the traditional excuses gonna cut it. It’s time to evolve into the next generation and challenge your teacher to keep up with your creative homework dodging.

This post is part of the series: Homework Excuses

Find the best, the worst, the most popular, and the funniest homework excuses with just a few clicks of the mouse.

The 10 Best Homework Excuses
The 10 Most Common “I Forgot my Homework” Excuses
Funny Homework Excuses

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Student Tips

Late assignment submission excuses that don’t fail.

June 27, 2023 • 10 min read

Academic success depends on completing assignments on time, but occasionally unexpected obstacles arise in life. Although it's always best to plan ahead and manage your time well, late submission excuses have become a common part of student life. In these situations, we need to be resourceful. In this article, we examine a few original and creative justifications for late assignment submissions.

But before you do anything, take a deep breath and think about your options. There are some good excuses for turning in an assignment late, and there are some that are just plain bad.

Good Excuses for Late Assignment Submission:

Although it is typically not advisable to give justifications for late assignment submissions because it is crucial to prioritize responsibility and time management, there might be occasions when unavoidable circumstances arise. Here are a few valid justifications for submitting an assignment after the deadline:

Personal Illness or Injury: If you had a sudden illness or injury that made it difficult for you to finish the assignment on time, that is a good reason to ask for a deadline extension. To prove your claim, offer the necessary proof, such as a medical certificate.
Family Emergency: It might be necessary to ask for an extension for your assignment if there is a serious family emergency, such as the hospitalization of a close relative or the occurrence of a natural disaster.
Technical Problems: There may occasionally be technical issues that are beyond your control, such as a computer crash, an internet outage, or a software malfunction. These problems may make it difficult for you to finish and turn in the assignment on time. Inform your professor right away, and if you can, include proof like screenshots or error messages.
Unforeseen Events: Unexpected situations, like a last-minute work commitment, transportation problems, or a personal crisis, may make it difficult for you to finish an assignment on time. If such circumstances occur, be open and honest with your professor about them.
Academic Overload: It can occasionally be difficult to meet all the deadlines if you find yourself overwhelmed with numerous assignments and coursework. In these circumstances, proactive communication with your professor is preferable.

Bad Excuses for Late Assignment Submission:

While it's critical to be open and truthful about legitimate justifications for late assignment submissions, it's equally crucial to identify and refrain from offering lame justifications that lack veracity or show a lack of accountability. Examples of justifications that are typically viewed as inappropriate or unconvincing include the following:

Procrastination: Blaming procrastination or poor time management for the delay will have a negative impact on your ability to prioritize your obligations. Taking responsibility for your actions is always preferable to using procrastination as a justification.
Social Events or Partying: Saying that you were unable to finish the assignment because you were out having fun or attending social events, parties, or other entertainment-related activities suggests that you value your leisure time more than your academic responsibilities.
Internet or Power Outage: Although technical difficulties can occasionally happen, using an internet or power outage as a justification without supporting evidence or documentation may be considered a weak defense. It is a good idea to have backup plans, like local power or alternative internet sources.
Forgetting the Due Date: Forgetting the due date for an assignment is not a good justification because it shows a lack of planning and focus. It's critical to remember due dates and use calendars, reminders, and other organizational tools to stay on top of things.
Personal Relationship Problems: It may come across as unprofessional and unconvincing to blame a late submission on relationship issues or disagreements with friends, family, or romantic partners. It is best to keep personal matters separate from academic obligations and seek assistance or support if needed.
Lack of Resources: It may not be acceptable to claim that you were unable to complete the assignment because you lacked the necessary books or materials. Planning ahead and making prompt use of the resources at hand are crucial.

How to Write an Excuse for a Late Assignment:

If you do have a legitimate reason for turning in an assignment late, it's important to write a clear and concise excuse. Here are some tips:

Be honest. Don't try to lie or make up excuses. Your professor will be able to tell if you're not being truthful.
Be specific. Explain exactly what happened and why it prevented you from turning in your assignment on time.
Be apologetic. Express your sincere apologies for turning in your assignment late.
Be respectful. Address your professor by their title and last name.

How to ask a professor to accept a late assignment by mail:

You can use the following example of an email to ask your professor to accept a late assignment:

Dear Professor [Name of the Professor],

I'm writing to ask for a delay in the due date for my [course name and number] assignment, [name of assignment]. The assignment was supposed to be turned in on [original due date], but I need it by [new due date].

I apologize for the submission's tardiness. I am aware that this is not an excuse, but a few unforeseen events kept me from finishing the assignment on time.

I had a family emergency that needed to be attended to first. I had to travel to be with my [relationship to family member] because they were in the hospital. This consumed a substantial amount of time.

Second, my computer was having some technical issues. My files were completely lost when my hard drive crashed. I lost a few days as a result of having to start the assignment from scratch.

Even though I am aware that the circumstances are not ideal, I am determined to do my very best to complete the task. The finished assignment is attached to this email.

I would appreciate it if you would give my request for a delay some thought. I am sure I can finish the assignment by the new due date.

I appreciate your consideration and time.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Final Thoughts:

While excuses for late assignment submissions can be amusing and humorous, it's important to keep in mind that accountability and time management should always come first. These ingenious justifications ought to be used sparingly and shouldn't serve to reinforce dishonesty or procrastination as bad habits. It's best to be open with your professors, ask for extra time when you need it, and make an effort to turn in assignments on time. Always keep in mind that education is a journey towards growth and development on both a personal and academic level. If you follow these tips, you will increase your chances of having your request granted.

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Daniel Wong

11 Excuses for Not Doing Homework (And How to Stop Making Them)

July 5, 2022 By Daniel Wong 6 Comments

If you’re like many students, you’d rather take a nap, talk to your friends online, or play video games.

As you already know, finding reasons not to do your homework will prevent you from succeeding in school .

I’m sure you want to do well in school, and homework is definitely a part of that process.

In this article, I’ll go over 11 of the most common excuses for not doing homework and offer solutions to ensure that you stay engaged in school.

But first, make sure to download your free quick action guide…

FREE QUICK ACTION GUIDE:

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12 Guaranteed Ways for Students to Improve Focus and Reduce Procrastination .

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Excuse #1: You lack the required knowledge

Let your parents and teacher know if you’re taking a class and feel as if you lack the necessary skills or knowledge to complete the homework.

Ask your teacher for extra guidance so you don’t fall too far behind. See if your parents can find the time to help you, or you can look for a tutor.

Your teachers are there to help you develop the skills you need to do well in their classes.

You’re not alone in feeling that you lack the necessary skills, so don’t be too embarrassed to ask for assistance. You might even find some great study buddies who feel the same way.

Excuse #2: You lack confidence

Many students compare themselves to their peers, which can lead to a lack of confidence. When that happens, it’s easy to make excuses for not doing the homework.

But here’s what you need to know…

Everyone lacks confidence about something.

You might be good at math but need extra help with English. Perhaps you excel at geography but find biology confusing.

Give yourself a break.

If you lack confidence in your ability to learn a particular subject, get the support you need. Your teachers, parents, and even friends will help you out and give you a needed morale boost.

Excuse #3: Your home life is too hectic

The excuses for submitting assignments late are numerous, but one that I hear often is that it’s too busy or noisy at home to focus.

Finding a quiet space and using earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones can help reduce distractions. This will make it easier for you to finish your homework.

If that doesn’t work, try finding an alternative location to do your work, like the library or a friend’s house.

You can also talk to your parents about it. They might not even be aware of all the interruptions that are preventing you from completing your schoolwork.

Excuse #4: You don’t know where to start

Feeling anxious and overwhelmed are often the main reasons that cause students to not know where to start on their homework.

If you ever feel this way, here’s what I suggest you do:

Take a deep breath.
Create a space where you can get organised.
Make a list of all your assignments and deadlines.
Work on one assignment at a time.
Start with an easy assignment to get a quick win, or tackle the most challenging assignment to get it out of the way.

Excuse #5: You have poor study habits

Many students develop bad study habits over their years in school.

Not everyone learns the same way or at the same pace. As such, every student will have different study habits. If what you’re doing isn’t working, try a different approach.

If you’re trying to do your homework as soon as you get home from school but can’t focus, try having a snack and taking a power nap before getting to work instead.

If you’re staying up too late studying, set a rule for yourself that you’ll start doing your homework within one hour of getting home.

Establish a routine where you do your work at roughly the same time each day. Developing routines like this will improve your study habits , which will make you a more effective student.

Excuse #6: School isn’t important to you

A common misconception is that school isn’t important, that what you learn won’t be relevant once you leave school.

This isn’t completely true.

Of course, the education system can be improved. But the knowledge you acquire in school will help you to understand and appreciate the world better.

And the process of becoming a more effective student will lead you to develop traits like self-discipline and responsibility. These are the types of traits you’ll need in order to find success at any stage of life!

Excuse #7: You’re overloaded with after-school activities

I know it can be tough to balance schoolwork and extracurricular activities.

Maybe you’re on a sports team or you spend several hours each week volunteering.

Finding the right balance to ensure you have enough time for homework can be challenging.

When too many afterschool activities get in the way of completing your assignments on time, it’s time to review your schedule. Decide how you can prioritise the activities that are the most important.

You may need to put some activities on hold until you’re consistently staying on top of your schoolwork.

Speak with your coach, teachers, or parents about the ideas they have to help you manage your schedule more effectively.

Excuse #8: Studying is boring for you

If you find that doing your homework is uninteresting, it may be time for you to change your point of view.

I always encourage students to cultivate a growth mindset . This is a mindset where you focus more on the learning process instead of on getting good grades.

Rather than seeing a particular subject as boring, develop a sense of wonder. Decide that you’re going to be intellectually curious, and you’ll discover that we live in a fascinating world.

And while you’re on that journey, remember that the students who succeed in school find ways to get the work done even when they find the subject boring.

For example, if you don’t like math, consider that it isn’t just about numbers – it’s a way of thinking.

Reframing how you think about a subject will enable you to see it as more interesting. In turn, you’ll become a better student over time.

Excuse #9: Your teachers assign too much homework

Sometimes, it may seem like your teachers assign more homework than you can keep up with. You might even believe that what you’re required to do is unreasonable.

If you find yourself in this situation, take a moment to think about everything else you’re doing.

Are you managing your time well?

Are you struggling with a particular class?

Do you use memory techniques to enable you to learn faster ?

Instead of allowing homework to overwhelm you, try talking to your teacher, tutor, or parents to figure out the best way forward for you.

Excuse #10: You already have so much overdue homework

Procrastinating on your homework can lead to a significant pile-up of assignments. This will affect your confidence in being able to complete them.

What’s more, once you get a set of new assignments, you probably won’t know how to do them because you didn’t do the previous assignments.

This creates a vicious cycle where you tell yourself that there’s no point in completing your newly assigned homework because you still have the old ones to do.

When this happens, the likelihood of completing any of the work decreases.

If you’re in this situation, set a reasonable goal of keeping up with all the newly assigned homework while completing, say, one overdue assignment a day, or one overdue assignment every two days.

Excuse #11: You don’t believe you can get good grades

If you hate school, there’s a chance that it’s because you feel the pressure to be a straight-A student .

Here’s the good news: You don’t need to be perfect. After all, there’s no such thing as a perfect student.

But you do have to put in the effort and get the work done. The rest will then fall into place.

If you’re doing your best, you’re doing great! Celebrate your progress and keep moving forward.

Take it one step at a time, and don’t worry too much about what grades you’re getting at the moment.

In closing…

There are many possible reasons for you not to finish your homework.

No matter what those reasons are, it’s important to know that the people around you want to help you succeed.

From teachers to parents to coaches, you have a support network to provide solutions to almost any obstacle you face.

Identify the excuses listed in this article that are relevant to your situation, and apply the suggested solutions.

If you do that, you’ll become a better and happier student who makes far fewer excuses related to homework!

July 7, 2022 at 12:13 pm

Thank you so much for this article. These were the problems I was struggling with. Now that i know the solutions to it ,I’m sure I’ll do better than before.

July 7, 2022 at 1:05 pm

You’re very welcome.

July 7, 2022 at 6:20 pm

I pray that may Almighty God grant you long life, more knowledge, sound health, rest of mind, wealth and happiness, so that you can witness your good impact in this World 🌍. GOD has made you a useful tool for every students and parents that is actually seeking success.

July 7, 2022 at 7:42 pm

Thank you, God bless you too!

July 27, 2022 at 9:29 pm

Thank you so much for this. I have found a couple of solutions for excuses I’ve made in the past. I needed this.

July 27, 2022 at 9:42 pm

You’re welcome.

31 Best Assignment Extension Excuses

Students need extensions on their assignments all the time. There are good excuses for an extension … and there are not so good excuses. I’m a professor, and I’ve heard them all. So has your professor. Here are the best ones I’ve heard.

The Best Assignment Extension Excuses

Introduction.

>>>BONUS: GET YOUR FREE ASSIGNMENT EXTENSION REQUEST LETTER TEMPLATE

For the rest of this article, I’m going to explain exactly how to ask your professor for an extension – with a focus on just 9 extension excuses.

Some of these are good excuses for turning in a paper late. Others are ones you’ll want to avoid.

Read on to learn which ones to avoid and which to use!

Professors like myself get a lot of extension requests, so knowing how to ask in a way that will get your teacher to grant the extension is very important.

>>>Related Article: 15+ Tips on Requesting an Extension

1. Your Team Members screwed you Over in a Group Assessment

>>> Related Post: 17+ Alternatives when College Isn’t for You

This extension excuse gets a lot of sympathies.

A little secret: teachers hate group work assignments , too. We usually set them because we have to embed it into a degree as an ‘employability skill’.

So, when you come to your teacher 3 days before submission and say “Teacher, one of my teammates didn’t pull through!”, your teacher will roll their eyes, but totally understand.

What you need to make this excuse work is a paper trail showing evidence that you pulled your weight. Evidence can be:

Email and Facebook chains of conversations;
Meeting minutes;
Completed drafts of sections that you were assigned

If you can show that you’ve put in the effort and genuinely tried to be a good team member, chances are your teacher will want to help you out.

Just beware: you still might lose points for teamwork. It’s an unfortunate reality that sometimes our team members bring our work down and we can’t do anything about it.

But, if you can show you’re a good student and have worked in good faith, this one might just help you pull through and win you that precious extra few days to work on your piece.

2. You’ve had Writer’s Block

>>> Related Post: How to Write an Essay at the Last Minute

This extension excuse gets points for honesty. If you come to your teacher and say “Look, I’ve read all of the readings, but the creativity just hasn’t come” then your teacher might just give you a little extra time.

This reason for asking for an extension on a paper will probably be respected more than most.

Teachers hate when a student comes to them with an obvious lie like:

Your dog ate your homework,
Your grandma died (again), or
your boss is a jerk

These are time-tested lies that we get all the time . It’s rarer for a student to step up and confess: “Look, it’s just a really tough assessment.”

For this excuse to work, it’s best to provide evidence of three things:

You’ve tried really hard;
You’ve sought help;
You’ve come up with a solution so it won’t happen again.

First, show you actually have put hours into the assessment.

Bring to your teacher (either in person or via email) evidence that you’ve read through a lot of readings on the topic.

Bring to the printed readings with highlighting and notes in the margins.

Talk to them about how you thought you might be able to use the information in these pieces for your work.

Second, show that you’ve sought help.

This excuse works best if you’ve primed the teacher already with a few emails spaced out over the previous few weeks asking questions about whether you’re on the right track.

If you’ve already managed to email the teacher a few times about the assignment, send your extension request as your final reply to that email chain of discussion.

Another way of showing that you’ve sought help is showing that you’ve accessed help from the library or another member of the university staff.

Explain to your teacher that you attended a library workshop , talked to your academic advisor, or had ongoing conversations with a Teacher’s Assistant about the assessment.

Third, show how you’ve developed skills to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

Explain to your teacher that you’ve thought up some study solutions that you’ll put in place during the week or so in which the extension would take place.

For example, you could note how some study skills you’ve thought might help you out of this situation might be:

You’ve found a spot in the library to dig in and do the work;
You’ve freed up some time in your calendar over the next 7 days;
You’ve found a study tip that you want to put in place

Make sure you not only tell, but show your teacher you’ve tried hard, you’ve sought help, and you’ve identified solutions. If you do this, you’re more likely to have your extension request granted.

3. Work called you in for Extra Shifts

>>>Related Post: Professor Reveals 21+ Excuses for Skipping Class

Here’s another reason to ask your professor for an extension on a paper that gets a lot of sympathies.

We teachers have been there. Poor, living off microwaved noodle. In fact, many of us are still there with you.

When explaining that work has called you in for extra shifts, make sure your teacher knows you needed that money. You don’t need to cry poor or ask for a sympathy card. But let them know:

My boss asked me to take on extra shifts; and
I pay my own way through life, so the extra money meant a lot to me.

This extension excuse strategy works best when you give advance notice. Let your teacher know as soon as you pick up those extra shifts. Send them an email making them feel like they were a part of the discussion ( Click here to download all my Assignment Extension Request Letter Templates ).

You can say:

Hi [Teacher] ,

My boss has just gotten in touch asking me to cover some extra shifts at work for the rest of this week. I’m pretty short on money at this point of the semester with a few bills coming through, so I’d love to be able to take them.

Obviously this gets in the way of the time I’ve set aside this week for completing the upcoming assignment.

I’m wondering, would you please consider giving me an extra three days to submit my assessment so that I can pick up these shifts? It’d mean a lot to me.

Thank you for considering this request.

Sincerely, [Your name] [Your class]

4. You’re taking a pre-planned Vacation

>>> Related Post: How to Study a Boring Subject

This reason for asking for an extension on a paper needs to be flagged very early on.

I’ve granted extensions for this extension excuse, but usually only when students let me know in the first week or two of the semester.

The trick here is to show:

That the vacation was booked well in advance and was not intended to interfere with the course;
That you really want to complete the course this semester in order to meet a personal goal.

Your personal goal might be to have graduated by a certain date, before your child starts (or finishes) school, or in order to qualify for an internship in a Master’s program that has an application deadline of a specific date.

If you show you’re ambitious and taking your studies seriously, this excuse will go down well.

Teachers don’t always grant this one, so be prepared to be told that your extension is not granted. Your teacher might insist that you submit it before you head off on your vacation, or simply deny the extension.

Something else you need to take into account is that you’re admitting you might miss some classes as well.

It might be worthwhile pointing out that your intention is to complete the weekly readings or tasks in advance of heading off on vacation.

One time when I don’t grant extensions for pre-planned vacations is when the vacation clashes with group work assessments. Your chances are higher if your vacation isn’t putting anyone else out.

Good luck with this one!

5. Computer Issues

This extension excuse gets eye rolls.

Blaming technology issues is a cliché excuse that teachers tend not to take too seriously.

It’s used too often and we expect that more often than not it’s a lie rather than a genuine problem.

If you want to get sympathy for this excuse, provide evidence. Here are some valuable forms of evidence, in order from best to worst:

A receipt or quote from a computer repairman that contains the current date;
Evidence you’ve been to see the university’s IT department to see if your data can be recovered;
A photograph of the broken computer equipment.

Your teacher may even expect you to provide a backup of earlier drafts. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of saving your assignments onto a personal internet cloud like Google OneDrive. Personally, I email drafts to myself to ensure I have regularly saved versions.

You should also expect that your teacher will inform you that the university computers are there, available for you to use.

It’s a good idea to get ahead of this response by letting your teacher know you’ve set aside some time to use the university computers to get back on track.

6. You’re a Carer

>>>Related Post: How to Impress your Professor

Something that has blown me away as a university teacher is just how many students care for their chronically sick or disabled parents, partners or children.

Carers are, frankly, inspiring people, and you’ll get sympathy from your teacher.

I’d recommend letting your teacher know in advance about your situation.

The best way to do this is to ask your student advisor or the course leader to give your teacher a heads-up on this one. Most universities these days assign student advisors to each student for support on issues like this.

Most universities also have a course leader who takes care of a specific degree program or major. If you know who this is, get in touch with them asap and let them know your situation.

Ask them to let your teachers know that you’re a carer which may mean you need special consideration.

Contact the teacher personally towards the start of the semester. Talk to them in person after the first class, or if you’re a distance learner, send them an email early on.

These early emails help to prime your teacher for when you ask for an extension.

If you haven’t informed the teacher of the situation, I’d recommend talking to them in person as soon as possible, telling them what your situation is, and asking for some additional time on your assessment.

As always, some form of evidence of your situation is really helpful. Doctors, social workers, or other support networks should be able to write a letter for you that you can pass on to your teacher.

There are two illnesses that I hear about the most. It’s either your child who’s been sick or you who’s been sick. Let’s take them in order:

1. Your Child’s Sick.

The ‘My Child’s been Sick’ excuse is one that I get a lot, but also one that I usually find believable.

One reason it’s so believable is that often five or six of my students who are parents will come to me explaining that an illness is going around the school.

It’s also an excuse that is easy to sympathize with. Children take up a lot of time, and with many of my students being single parents, I understand that children come first.

This is one that crops up late, but as usual, try to ask for an extension at least 72 hours (3 days) prior to the submission deadline.

A letter from a doctor goes a long way here but is not always necessary. If you can’t get a letter from a doctor, copy in some evidence that your child has taken the last few days off school. Attach a copy of your sick note to the school when you email your university professor .

2. You’re Sick.

If it’s you who has been sick, a note from a doctor is usually expected. It also requires some advance warning. If you got sick 6 days before the due date, why did you only email your teacher on the day it was due?

If you didn’t give advance warning, it looks pretty bad.

Similarly, if you got sick 3 days before the due date, what have you already done? Shouldn’t you just have finishing touches to do with 3 days to go?

Therefore, when you contact the teacher, you should also attach your most recent draft. You need to say:

This is what I’ve done;
This is what I had planned to do in the next 7, 6, 5, 4, or 3 days before submission;
This is why I’m so sick that I can’t do it.

So remember, if you’ve been sick, the two key things to include are:

A doctor’s note to prove it’s true;
Your latest draft to show you’ve not left it to the last minute.
A List of Late Homework Excuses
27 Pros and Cons of Homework

8. There was a Death in the Family

This is the most common reason for extension requests. Let me be clear: every teacher is bamboozled that there seems to be a spike in the deaths of grandmas whenever assessments are due.

We’re skeptical about this one, to say the least.

If you’re going to use this extension excuse, evidence is a must. Teachers understand that this is a sensitive topic. I’ve accepted a range of evidence for this one, though. This includes:

Notice of death in the local newspaper;
A scan of the booklet of funeral proceedings;
A letter or receipt from a funeral home;
A copy of the flight to or from the funeral location.

This is obviously a very sensitive issue, and it’s pretty sad that people abuse this reason. Teachers don’t want to offend you: but they also need to know you’re not pulling the wool over their eyes.

Another worrisome point for this excuse is that often the death occurred a month or more before the assessment is due.

Be prepared for your teacher to say: okay, there was a death a month ago. What have you done in the month since the funeral on your work?

If you’re going to use this reason, explain how it’s caused hardship (failure to focus, busy making funeral arrangements, travel to funerals, etc.). You also must think about how you can provide clear evidence that this death did, in fact, happen.

Related: How to Ask a Professor for a Letter of Recommendation

9. You have a Learning Disability

If you have a learning disability, you need to tell your university in advance. There’s really no other way around this one.

Nearly every university these days has support plans for students with learning disabilities .

The most common one is dyslexia . This is the condition in which students struggle with accurate and speedy reading and spelling. It can make university really tough, but universities try to be accommodating for students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia.

Other common personal issues that can qualify for extensions include common migraines and issues with concentration.

Talk to a student advisor at the university about how to get a diagnosis if you think you’ve got a learning disability. Once you’ve received the diagnosis you’ll be able to get a support plan set up.

Support plans are usually sent straight to your teachers at the start of the semester. However, you should also make yourself known to your teacher at the start of the semester. There are additional benefits to this, including that your teacher will be careful not to ask you to read content out loud in class.

If you haven’t told your teacher already that you have a learning disability, but you still want an extension, you’ll need to get in touch as soon as possible.

Highlight how:

You have made every effort to ensure you got your work done on time;
Something has happened (did your migraines flare up recently?) that has prevented you from completing on time.

When you ask for the extension, include the support plan, diagnosis, or doctor’s note to increase your chances of receiving the extension that you requested.

Extensions are commonplace, but you need to state your case. We have provided an outline of exactly how to ask for the extension that you might want to consult if you think you qualify for an extension. This outline explains that you need to take some key steps, including the steps in the infographic below (plus some more!):

9 Excuses for Late Assignments: Turning Online Homework Late

by Michael Smart
January 5, 2024

It is a common scenario to fail to submit the assignment within the timeframe during your academic years. With many reasons for late assignment submission, there are a number of excuses you can give and they soften the stance of your professor.

Any student should strive to stay updated when it comes to matters of studies and assignments. However, some may face some uncertainties which can derail their concentration and affect how they are working, leading to delays.

In that case, here is a comprehensive list and explanation of the excuses you can give for late submissions.

9 Excuses for Late Submission of Assignments

A student may develop stress of keeping with the environment and hinder them from keeping assignment deadlines.

Although we may not deny the chances of a student being careless, genuine cases can prompt a student to fail to finish the work on time.

If found in such a scenario, then look for any possibility of asking for an extension. Here, you must have a compelling reason that can bargain your request.

1. Blaming Illness for late Homework

Illness and sickness are natural happenings that are unavoidable in someone’s life. Such situations may make one lack the physical and emotional strength to work on the assignment or homework.

While giving such an excuse, ensure that it is valid by backing it up with the note from your doctor. Some sickness can still occur on your immediate family member, thereby affecting how you work.

For example, your parent or a sister may be highly sick, prompting you to leave what you are doing and take care of him or her. Such is a strong reason that can compel one to ask for a late submission.

2. Domestic Violence for Undone Assignment

Domestic flights are typical cases in any marriage setup. Such can be a sensitive excuse which a teacher must consider and probably bring it up to your parents.

Also, a teacher can report such cases to the guiding and counseling office, who can talk to your parents concerning such ordeals. They should understand the impacts of such actions on your academic life.

3. Writers Block

A student can read many books until he/she develops writer’s block. Such situations are overwhelming, thereby affecting the productivity of a student. One can diagnose such an experience by taking a short break and come back while fresh.

A teacher should listen to your story and grant you leave of some days before you recollect and work on your assignment before submitting it as agreed.

4. Other Paper Due

When you have another paper to work on ahead, you may need time to prepare. About that, you can request your professor to give you more time so that you can prepare for another paper that you are about to handle.

That can be a valid reason that could justify your late submission. The best practice is to put such information in the application and let the teacher acknowledge your request.

5. Job Interview

One can receive a request for a job interview which can be unavoidable. A teacher should listen and accept such an apology by granting ample student time to prepare and attend that interview in the subject area. It is a valid reason that can lead to the late submission of assignments.

6. Learning Disability

One should inform the university in advance in case you have a learning disability. The most common issue is dyslexia which is an abnormal condition that makes a student struggle in making speedy and accurate spelling and reading.

Nearly all universities have plans that support students who experience learning disabilities. Such conditions are harsh, and that is why a college should accommodate such cases.

7. Lost a Family Member

Death is unavoidable in the life of someone. When you lose an immediate family member, it can be distractive, leading to divided attention

If found in such circumstances, you can ask your professor to extend the submission date to assist you in overcoming such a situation.

8. You are a Caretaker

A student may be caring for a disabled person like a sick partner or a disabled parent. You have to let your teacher know in advance about that situation for you to enjoy the window of late submissions.

9. Blaming a Lazy Group Member

Group assignments are not new in the academic world. You might get assigned to someone who is lazy and drag your group leading to late submission.

If you are sensing that, it is critical to inform your instructor of late submissions. You can join this by saying that he forgot to submit the assignment early, especially his or her part.

As a group, you can join forces and assist that student who might be the cause of the delay and finish the assignment within the agreed timeframe as agreed by your teacher. You can choose to cover up the ills of a lazy student for success.

Reasons and Excuses for Turning in Late Online Homework

Online assignments present a little bit different excuses on top of the ones discussed above. However, ensure that you back your excuse with sound reasoning.

Such creates a better impression with your instructor as it indicates sincerity towards the pending task. This works better if you send a good late assignment email to your professor to explain more about the situation.

In this section, we can examine some of the good excuses you can provide to justify your late submission of the online assignment.

1. Computer Issues

When your laptop fails to work, it can lead to the destruction of your schedule. Such an excuse co only be valid if you provide evidence for your argument.

You can provide a receipt from your technician indicating the service quotation. Alternatively, you can take it to the university’s ICT department to see if they can assist in data recovery.

2. Wi-Fi Failed to Work

Wi-Fi is a technological issue that the school can address objectively. Schools should provide such a service to allow the students to work effectively.

However, when the students go out and encounter an internet challenge, it could cause a delay in the submission of assignments.

This is also one of the excuses for student lateness in class and can be used as a common reason. You can present the same evidence for missing classes and assignments.

3. Never Understood the Assignment

Every student learns uniquely. We have quick learners who need simple directions to learn. Some may be slow hence requiring more lessons to grasp the subject.

If you are in the category of slow learners, it may take you a while before completing the same assignment leading to late submission.

4. Sickness

One can fail to submit the assignment at school due to sickness. It would help if you wrote to your instructor to explain why it was challenging to work in such conditions.

You can back up your points with a medical report from your doctor to ascertain your honesty.

5. Had an Exam

The student could be doing a different course elsewhere. When the programs clash, the student must find a way of balancing them. If you are examining another cause, then it is reasonable to seek leave for a late submission.

Consequences of Being Late with Assignment

Different schools and colleges deal with such situations uniquely. For example, some universities and colleges would take off some points from the total mark.

In most universities, a late assignment submission penalty is taking 5% off the total allocated marks for that assignment. Such would be deducted for the first seven days, after which the professor will not accept the assignment again. While the late submission penalty varies, most universities follow a similar plan to deter lateness.

Another consequence of being late with your assignment is that it could lead to your studies’ postponement.

If you fail to submit it within the semester’s schedules, it will be difficult for the faculty to compile your marks and decide your course overall within the program leading to deferments.

On the other hand, some extreme cases could lead to suspension or expulsion. Before your join, any academic institution, ensure you understand the policies that govern your studies. Also, it is good to apply tips to beat homework due dates so as to avoid these consequences.

It is essential to adhere to the laid down procedures so that you are on the safe side. However, lecturers sometimes decide on the pros and cons of accepting late student assignments before applying the penalties. Here are the common penalties.

I am an educational writer and blogger focussing on tech, education, and life improvement.

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14 Hilarious Homework Excuses

If you're an educator, you've undoubtedly heard your fair share of excuses from students who don't have their assigned homework with them, which can range from plausible to hilariously absurd.

We've compiled some of the best homework excuses that educators in our Facebook community have heard during their time in the wacky world of teaching.

Students' Best Excuses

'I couldn't do my homework because my room is haunted.'

This piece was originally submitted to our community forums by a reader. Due to audience interest, we’ve preserved it. The opinions expressed here are the writer’s own.

A Few Ideas for Dealing with Late Work

August 4, 2019

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Most of my 9-week grading periods ended the same way: Me and one or two students, sitting in my quiet, empty classroom together, with me sitting at the computer, the students nearby in desks, methodically working through piles of make-up assignments. They would be focused, more focused than I’d seen them in months, and the speed with which they got through the piles was stunning.

As they finished each assignment I took it, checked it for accuracy, then entered their scores—taking 50 percent off for being late—into my grading program. With every entry, I’d watch as their class grade went up and up: from a 37 percent to a 41, then to 45, then to 51, and eventually to something in the 60s or even low 70s, a number that constituted passing, at which point the process would end and we’d part ways, full of resolve that next marking period would be different.

And the whole time I thought to myself, This is pointless . They aren’t learning anything at all. But I wasn’t sure what else to do.

For as long as teachers have assigned tasks in exchange for grades, late work has been a problem. What do we do when a student turns in work late? Do we give some kind of consequence or accept assignments at any time with no penalty? Do we set up some kind of system that keeps students motivated while still holding them accountable? Is there a way to manage all of this without driving ourselves crazy?

To find answers, I went to Twitter and asked teachers to share what works for them. What follows is a summary of their responses. I wish I could give individual credit to each person who offered ideas, but that would take way too long, and I really want you to get these suggestions now! If you’ve been unsatisfied with your own approach to late work, you should find some fresh ideas here.

First, a Few Questions About Your Grades

Before we get into the ways teachers manage late work, let’s back up a bit and consider whether your overall program of assignments and grading is in a healthy place. Here are some questions to think about:

What do your grades represent? How much of your grades are truly based on academic growth, and how much are based mostly on compliance? If they lean more toward compliance, then what you’re doing when you try to manage late work is basically a lot of administrative paper pushing, rather than teaching your content. Although it’s important for kids to learn how to manage deadlines, do you really want an A in your course to primarily reflect the ability to follow instructions? If your grades are too compliance-based, consider how you might shift things so they more accurately represent learning. (For a deeper discussion of this issue, read How Accurate Are Your Grades? )
Are you grading too many things? If you spend a lot of time chasing down missing assignments in order to get more scores in your gradebook, it could be that you’re grading too much. Some teachers only enter grades for major, summative tasks, like projects, major writing assignments, or exams. Everything else is considered formative and is either ungraded or given a very low point value for completion, not graded for accuracy; it’s practice . For teachers who are used to collecting lots of grades over a marking period, this will be a big shift, and if you work in a school where you’re expected to enter grades into your system frequently, that shift will be even more difficult. Convincing your students that ungraded practice is worthwhile because it will help their performance on the big things will be another hurdle. With all of that said, reducing the number of scored items will make your grades more meaningful and cut way down on the time you spend grading and managing late work.
What assumptions do you make when students don’t turn in work? I’m embarrassed to admit that when I first started teaching, I assumed most students with missing work were just unmotivated. Although this might be true for a small portion of students, I no longer see this as the most likely reason. Students may have issues with executive function and could use some help developing systems for managing their time and responsibilities. They may struggle with anxiety. Or they may not have the resources—like time, space, and technology—to consistently complete work at home. More attention has been paid lately to the fact that homework is an equity issue , and our policies around homework should reflect an understanding that all students don’t have access to the same resources once they leave school for the day. Punitive policies that are meant to “motivate” students don’t take any of these other issues into consideration, so if your late work penalties don’t seem to be working, it’s likely that the root cause is something other than a lack of motivation.
What kind of grading system is realistic for you ? Any system you put in place requires YOU to stay on top of grading. It would be much harder to assign penalties, send home reminders, or track lateness if you are behind on marking papers by a week, two weeks, even a month. So whatever you do, create a plan that you can actually keep up with.

Possible Solutions

1. penalties.

Many teachers give some sort of penalty to students for late work. The thinking behind this is that without some sort of negative consequence, too many students would wait until the end of the marking period to turn work in, or in some cases, not turn it in at all. When work is turned in weeks or even months late, it can lose its value as a learning opportunity because it is no longer aligned with what’s happening in class. On top of that, teachers can end up with massive piles of assignments to grade in the last few days of a marking period. This not only places a heavy burden on teachers, it is far from an ideal condition for giving students the good quality feedback they should be getting on these assignments.

Several types of penalties are most common:

Point Deductions In many cases, teachers simply reduce the grade as a result of the lateness. Some teachers will take off a certain number of points per day until they reach a cutoff date after which the work will no longer be accepted. One teacher who responded said he takes off 10 percent for up to three days late, then 30 percent for work submitted up to a week late; he says most students turn their work in before the first three days are over. Others have a standard amount that comes off for any late work (like 10 percent), regardless of when it is turned in. This policy still rewards students for on-time work without completely de-motivating those who are late, builds in some accountability for lateness, and prevents the teacher from having to do a lot of mathematical juggling with a more complex system.

Parent Contact Some teachers keep track of late work and contact parents if it is not turned in. This treats the late work as more of a conduct issue; the parent contact may be in addition to or instead of taking points away.

No Feedback, No Re-Dos The real value of homework and other smaller assignments should be the opportunity for feedback: Students do an assignment, they get timely teacher feedback, and they use that feedback to improve. In many cases, teachers allow students to re-do and resubmit assignments based on that feedback. So a logical consequence of late work could be the loss of that opportunity: Several teachers mentioned that their policy is to accept late work for full credit, but only students who submit work on time will receive feedback or the chance to re-do it for a higher grade. Those who hand in late work must accept whatever score they get the first time around.

2. A Separate Work Habits Grade

In a lot of schools, especially those that use standards-based grading, a student’s grade on an assignment is a pure representation of their academic mastery; it does not reflect compliance in any way. So in these classrooms, if a student turns in good work, it’s going to get a good grade even if it’s handed in a month late.

But students still need to learn how to manage their time. For that reason, many schools assign a separate grade for work habits. This might measure factors like adherence to deadlines, neatness, and following non-academic guidelines like font sizes or using the correct heading on a paper.

Although most teachers whose schools use this type of system will admit that students and parents don’t take the work habits grade as seriously as the academic grade, they report being satisfied that student grades only reflect mastery of the content.
One school calls their work habits grade a “behavior” grade, and although it doesn’t impact GPA, students who don’t have a certain behavior grade can’t make honor roll, despite their actual GPA.
Several teachers mentioned looking for patterns and using the separate grade as a basis for conferences with parents, counselors, or other stakeholders. For most students, there’s probably a strong correlation between work habits and academic achievement, so separating the two could help students see that connection.
Some learning management systems will flag assignments as late without necessarily taking points off. Although this does not automatically translate to a work habits grade, it indicates the lateness to students and parents without misrepresenting the academic achievement.

3. Homework Passes

Because things happen in real life that can throw anyone off course every now and then, some teachers offer passes students can use to replace a missed assignment.

Most teachers only offer these passes to replace low-point assignments, not major ones, and they generally only offer 1 to 3 passes per marking period. Homework passes can usually only recover 5 to 10 percent of a student’s overall course grade.
Other teachers have a policy of allowing students to drop one or two of their lowest scores in the gradebook. Again, this is typically done for smaller assignments and has the same net effect as a homework pass by allowing everyone to have a bad day or two.
One teacher gives “Next Class Passes” which allow students one extra day to turn in work. At the end of every marking period she gives extra credit points to students who still have unused passes. She says that since she started doing this, she has had the lowest rate ever of late work.

4. Extension Requests

Quite a few teachers require students to submit a written request for a deadline extension rather than taking points off. With a system like this, every student turns something in on the due date, whether it’s the assignment itself or an extension request.

Most extension requests ask students to explain why they were unable to complete the assignment on time. This not only gives the students a chance to reflect on their habits, it also invites the teacher to help students solve larger problems that might be getting in the way of their academic success.
Having students submit their requests via Google Forms reduces the need for paper and routes all requests to a single spreadsheet, which makes it easier for teachers to keep track of work that is late or needs to be regraded.
Other teachers use a similar system for times when students want to resubmit work for a new grade.

5. Floating Deadlines

Rather than choosing a single deadline for an assignment, some teachers assign a range of dates for students to submit work. This flexibility allows students to plan their work around other life activities and responsibilities.

Some teachers offer an incentive to turn in work in the early part of the time frame, such as extra credit or faster feedback, and this helps to spread out the submissions more evenly.
Another variation on this approach is to assign a batch of work for a whole week and ask students to get it in by Friday. This way, students get to manage when they get it done.
Other names mentioned for this strategy were flexible deadlines , soft deadlines , and due windows .

6. Let Students Submit Work in Progress

Some digital platforms, like Google Classroom, allow students to “submit” assignments while they are still working on them. This allows teachers to see how far the student has gotten and address any problems that might be coming up. If your classroom is mostly paper-based, it’s certainly possible to do this kind of thing with paper as well, letting students turn in partially completed work to demonstrate that an effort has been made and show you where they might be stuck.

7. Give Late Work Full Credit

Some teachers accept all late work with no penalty. Most of them agree that if the work is important, and if we want students to do it, we should let them hand it in whenever they get it done.

Some teachers fear this approach will cause more students to stop doing the work or delay submission until the end of a marking period, but teachers who like this approach say they were surprised by how little things changed when they stopped giving penalties: Most students continued to turn work in more or less on time, and the same ones who were late under the old system were still late under the new one. The big difference was that the teacher no longer had to spend time calculating deductions or determining whether students had valid excuses; the work was simply graded for mastery.
To give students an incentive to actually turn the work in before the marking period is over, some teachers will put a temporary zero in the gradebook as a placeholder until the assignment is turned in, at which point the zero is replaced with a grade.
Here’s a twist on the “no penalty” option: Some teachers don’t take points off for late work, but they limit the time frame when students can turn it in. Some will not accept late work after they have graded and returned an assignment; at that point it would be too easy for students to copy off of the returned papers. Others will only accept late work up until the assessment for the unit, because the work leading up to that is meant to prepare for that assessment.

8. Other Preventative Measures

These strategies aren’t necessarily a way to manage late work as much as they are meant to prevent it in the first place.

Include students in setting deadlines. When it comes to major assignments, have students help you determine due dates. They may have a better idea than you do about other big events that are happening and assignments that have been given in other classes.
Stop assigning homework. Some teachers have stopped assigning homework entirely, recognizing that disparities at home make it an unfair measurement of academic mastery. Instead, all meaningful work is done in class, where the teacher can monitor progress and give feedback as needed. Long-term projects are done in class as well, so the teacher is aware of which students need more time and why.
Make homework optional or self-selected. Not all students need the same amount of practice. You may be able to get your students to assess their own need for additional practice and assign that practice to themselves. Although this may sound far-fetched, in some classes, like this self-paced classroom , it actually works, because students know they will be graded on a final assessment, they get good at determining when they need extra practice.

With so many different approaches to late work, what’s clear is that there are a lot of different schools of thought on grading and assessment, so it’s not a surprise that we don’t always land on the best solution on the first try. Experiment with different systems, talk to your colleagues, and be willing to try something new until you find something that works for you.

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Categories: Classroom Management , Instruction , Podcast

Tags: assessment , organization

51 Comments

I teach high school science (mine is a course that does not have an “end of course” test so the stakes are not as high) and I teach mostly juniors and seniors. Last year I decided not to accept any late work whatsoever unless a student is absent the day it is assigned or due (or if they have an accomodation in a 504 or IEP – and I may have had one or two students with real/documented emergencies that I let turn in late.) This makes it so much easier on me because I don’t have to keep up with how many days/points to deduct – that’s a nightmare. It also forces them to be more responsible. They usually have had time to do it in class so there’s no reason for it to be late. Also, I was very frustrated with homework not being completed and I hated having to grade it and keep up with absent work. So I don’t “require” homework (and rarely assign it any more) but if students do ALL (no partial credit) of it they get a 100% (small point value grade), if they are absent or they don’t do it they are exempt. So it ends up being a sort of extra credit grade but it does not really penalize students who don’t do it. When students ask me for extra credit (which I don’t usually give), the first thing I ask is if they’ve done all the homework assigned. That usually shuts down any further discussion. I’ve decided I’m not going to spend tons of time chasing and calculating grades on small point values that do not make a big difference in an overall grade. 🙂

Do I understand correctly….

Homework is not required. If a student fully completes the HW, they will earn full points. If the student is absent or doesn’t do it, they are excused. Students who do complete the HW will benefit a little bit in their overall grade, but students who don’t compete the work will not be penalized. Did I understand it correctly?

Do you stipulate that a student must earn a certain % on the assignment to get the full points? What about a student who completed an assignment but completes the entire thing incorrectly? Still full credit? Or an opportunity to re-do?

Thank you in advance.

From reading this blog post I was thinking the same thing. When not penalizing students for homework do you have students who do turn it in getting extra points in class?

From what I have seen, if there is a benefit for turning in homework and students see this benefit more will try to accomplish what the homework is asking. So avoid penalization is okay, but make sure the ones turning it in are getting rewarded in some way.

The other question regarding what to do with students who may not be completing the assignments correctly, you could use this almost as a formative assessment. You could still give them the credit but use this as a time for you to focus on that student a little more and see where he/she isn’t understanding the content.

Our school has a system called Catch Up Cafe. Students with missing work report to a specific teacher during the first 15 minutes of lunch to work on missing work. Students upgrade to a Wednesday after school time if they have accumulated 4 or more missing assignments on any Monday. They do not have to serve if they can clear ALL missing work by the end of the day Wednesday. Since work is not dragging out for a long period of time, most teachers do not take off points.

How do you manage the logistics of who has missing and how many assignments are needed to be completed-to make sure they are attending the Catch up Cafe or Wednesday after school? How do you manage the communication with parents?

When a student has missing work it can be very difficult to see what he/she is missing. I always keep a running record of all of their assignments that quarter and if they miss that assigement I keep it blank to remind myself there was never a submission. Once I know that this student is missing this assignment I give them their own copy and write at the top late. So once they do turn it in I know that it’s late and makes grading it easier.

There are a lot of different programs that schools use but I’ve always kept a paper copy so I have a back-up.

I find that the worst part of tracking make-up work is keeping tabs on who was absent for a school activity, illness or other excused absence, and who just didn’t turn in the assignment. I obviously have to accept work turned in “late” due to an excused absence, but I can handle the truly late work however I wish. Any advice on simplifying tracking for this?

I tell my students to simply write “Absent (day/s)” at the top of the paper. I remind them of this fairly regularly. That way, if they were absent, it’s their responsibility to notify me, and it’s all together. If you create your own worksheets, etc., you could add a line to the top as an additional reminder.

It might be worth checking out Evernote .

In order to keep track of what type of missing assignments, I put a 0 in as a grade so students and parents know an assignment was never submitted. If a student was here on the due date and day assignment was given then it is a 0 in the grade book. If a student was absent the day the assignment was given or when it was due, I put a 00 in the grade book. This way I know if it was because of an absence or actual no work completed.

This is exactly what I do. Homework can only count 10% in our district. Claims that kids fail due to zeros for homework are specious.

This is SUCH a difficult issue and I have tried a few of the suggested ways in years past. My questions is… how do we properly prepare kids for college while still being mindful of the inequities at home? We need to be sure that we are giving kids opportunity, resources, and support, but at the same time if we don’t introduce them to some of the challenges they will be faced with in college (hours of studying and research and writing regardless of the hours you might have to spend working to pay that tuition), are we truly preparing them? I get the idea of mastery of content without penalty for late work and honestly that is typically what I go with, but I constantly struggle with this and now that I will be moving from middle to high school, I worry even more about the right way to handle late work and homework. I don’t want to hold students back in my class by being too much of a stickler about seemingly little things, but I don’t want to send them to college unprepared to experience a slap in the face, either. I don’t want to provide extra hurdles, but how do I best help them learn how to push through the hurdles and rigor if they aren’t held accountable? I always provide extra time after school, at lunch, etc., and have also experienced that end of term box checking of assignments in place of a true learning experience, but how do we teach them the importance of using resources, asking for help, allowing for mistakes while holding them to standards and learning work habits that will be helpful to them when they will be on their own? I just don’t know where the line is between helping students learn the value of good work habits and keeping them from experiencing certain challenges they need to understand in order to truly get ahead.

Thanks for sharing – I can tell how much you care for your students, wanting them to be confident independent learners. What I think I’m hearing is perhaps the struggle between that fine line of enabling and supporting. When supporting kids, whether academically or behaviorally, we’re doing something that assists or facilitates their growth. So, for example, a student that has anxiety or who doesn’t have the resources at home to complete an assignment, we can assist by giving that student extra time or an alternative place to complete the assignment. This doesn’t lower expectations, it just offers support to help them succeed.

Enabling on the other hand, puts systems in place that don’t involve consequences, which in turn allow the behaviors to continue. It involves excuses and solving problems for others. It may be about lowering expectations and letting people get by with patterns of behavior.

Late work is tricky. The article does mention the importance of time management, which is why separating academic grades from work habits is something a lot of schools are doing. Sometimes real life happens and kids need a “pass.” If whatever you’re doing seems to be helping to support a student rather than enabling patterns, then that might help you distinguish between that fine line. Hope this helps!

Thank you again for such a great post. Always high-quality, relevant, and helpful. I so appreciate you and the work you do!

So glad to hear you enjoyed the post, Liz! I’ll make sure Jenn sees this.

I thought that these points brought up about receiving late work were extremely helpful and I hope that every classroom understands how beneficial these strategies could be.

When reading the penalties section under point deductions it brought up the idea of taking points off slowly as time goes by. Currently in my classroom the only point deduction I take off is 30% of the total grade after it is received late. No matter how much time has gone by in that grading period it will have 30% off the total.

I’m curious if changing this technique to something that would increase the percentage off as time goes by will make students turn in their work on time.

My question to everyone is which grading technique would be more beneficial for the students? Do you believe that just taking off 30% for late work would help students more when turning in their work or do you think that as time goes by penalizing their final score will have students turn in their work more?

If anyone has any answers it would be extremely beneficial.

Thank you, Kirby

When I was in school my school did 1/3 of a grade each day it was like. So 1 day late A >A-. Two days late: A->>B+ so on and so forth. This worked really well for me because I knew that I could still receive a good grade if I worked hard on an assignment, even if it was a day or two late.

I dread it when I have missing work or unsubmitted work. I would try to get a last-minute effort to chase those needed pieces of work which could be done from those students housed in dorms on campus. It is better than not failing them for lacking to turn in graded submissions or taking scheduled quizzes. I dread this not for the students, sadly, but for likely call to explain why I did not keep physical evidence of students’ supposed learning. In my part of the globe, we have a yearly “quality assurance” audit by the country’s educational authorities or their representatives.

I am a pre-service teacher and I am in the process of developing my personal philosophies in education, including the topic of late work. I will be certified as a secondary social studies teacher and would like to teach in a high school. Your post brought my attention to some important insights about the subject. For example, before this post I had not thought to use feedback as a way to incentivize homework submission on time. This action coupled with the ability to re-do assignments is a great way to emphasize the importance of turning work in on time. I do have a follow-up question, how do you adequately manage grading re-do’s and feedback on all assignments? What kinds of organizational and time-management strategies do you use as a teacher? Further, how much homework do you assign when providing this as an option?

Additionally, have you administered or seen the no penalty and homework acceptance time limit in practice (for example, all homework must be turned in by the unit test)? I was curious if providing a deadline to accept all homework until the unit test may result in an access of papers I need to grade. From your experience, what practice(s) have you seen work well in the classroom?

My goal is to prepare students for life beyond high school and to support their intellectual, social, and emotional development during their high school learning experience. Similar to a previous commenter (Kate), I am also trying to define a balance between holding students accountable in order to best prepare them for their future lives and providing opportunities to raise their grade if they are willing to do the work.

Hey Jessica, you have some great questions. I’d recommend checking out the following blog posts from Jenn that will help you learn more about keeping track of assessments, differentiation, and other aspects of grading: Kiddom: Standards-based Grading Made Wonderful , Could You Teach Without Grades , Boost Your Assessment Power with GradeCam , and Four Research-Based Strategies Every Teacher Should be Using . I hope this helps you find answers to your questions!

Overall I found this article extremely helpful and it actually reinforced many ideas I already had about homework and deadlines. One of my favorite teachers I had in high school was always asking for our input on when we felt assignments should be due based on what extra curricular activities were taking place in a given time period. We were all extremely grateful for his consideration and worked that much harder on the given assignments.

While it is important to think about our own well-being when grading papers, I think it is just as important (if not more) to be conscious of how much work students might have in other classes or what students schedules are like outside of school. If we really want students to do their best work, we need to give them enough time to do the work. This will in turn, help them care more about the subject matter and help them dive deeper. Obviously there still needs to be deadlines, but it does not hurt to give students some autonomy and say in the classroom.

Thanks for your comment Zach. I appreciate your point about considering students’ involvement in extracurricular activities and other responsibilities they may have outside the school day. It’s definitely an important consideration. The only homework my son seemed to have in 8th grade was for his history class. I agree that there’s a need for teachers to maintain more of a balance across classes when it comes to the amount of homework they give to students.

Thank you for an important, thought-provoking post! As a veteran teacher of 20+ years, I have some strong opinions about this topic. I have always questioned the model of ‘taking points off’ for late work. I do not see how this presents an accurate picture of what the student knows or can do. Shouldn’t he be able to prove his knowledge regardless of WHEN? Why does WHEN he shows you what he knows determine WHAT he knows?

Putting kids up against a common calendar with due dates and timelines, regardless of their ability to learn the material at the same rate is perhaps not fair. There are so many different situations facing our students – some students have challenges and difficulty with deadlines for a plethora of potential reasons, and some have nothing but support, structure, and time. When it comes to deadlines – Some students need more time. Other students may need less time. Shouldn’t all students have a chance to learn at a pace that is right for them? Shouldn’t we measure student success by demonstrations of learning instead of how much time it takes to turn in work? Shouldn’t students feel comfortable when it is time to show me what they’ve learned, and when they can demonstrate they’ve learned it, I want their grade to reflect that.

Of course we want to teach students how to manage their time. I am not advocating for a lax wishy-washy system that allows for students to ‘get to it when they get to it’. I do believe in promoting work-study habits, and using a separate system to assign a grade for responsibility, respect, management, etc is a potential solution. I understand that when introducing this type of system, it may be tough to get buy-in from parents and older students who have traditionally only looked at an academic grade because it is the only piece of the puzzle that impacts GPA. Adopting a separate work-study grading system would involve encouraging the entire school community – starting at the youngest level – to see its value. It would be crucial for the school to promote the importance of high level work-study habits right along side academic grades.

I teach a specials course to inner city middle schoolers at a charter school. All students have to take my class since it is one of the core pillars of the school’s culture and mission. Therefore it is a double edge sword. Some students and parents think it is irrelevant like an art or music class but will get upset to find out it isn’t just an easy A class. Other students and parents love it because they come to our charter school just to be in this class that isn’t offered anywhere else in the state, except at the college level.

As you may have already guessed, I see a lot of students who don’t do the work. So much that I no longer assign homework, which the majority would not be able to do independently anyways or may develop the wrong way of learning the material, due to the nature of the subject. So everything is done in the classroom together as a class. And then we grade together to reinforce the learning. This is why I absolutely do not accept missing work and there is no reason for late work. Absent students make up the work by staying after school upon their return or they can print it off of Google classroom at home and turn in by the end of the day of their return. Late and missing work is a big issue at our school. I’ve had whole classrooms not do the work even as I implemented the new routine. Students will sit there and mark their papers as we do it in the classroom but by the end they are not handing it in because they claim not to have anything to hand in. Or when they do it appears they were doing very little. I’d have to micromanage all 32 students every 5 minutes to make sure they were actually doing the work, which I believe core teachers do. But that sets a very bad precedent because I noticed our students expect to be handheld every minute or they claim they can’t do the work. I know this to be the case since before this class I was teaching a computer class and the students expected me to sit right next to them and give them step-by-step instructions of where to click on the screen. They simply could not follow along as I demonstrated on the Aquos board. So I do think part of the problem is the administrators’ encouraging poor work ethics. They’re too focused on meeting proficient standard to the point they want teachers to handhold students. They also want teachers to accept late and missing work all the way until the end of each quarter. Well that’s easy if you only have a few students but when you have classrooms full of them, that means trying to grade 300+ students multiplied by “x” amount of late/missing work the week before report card rolls out – to which we still have to write comments for C- or below students. Some of us teach all the grade levels 6-8th. And that has actually had negative effects because students no longer hold themselves accountable.

To be honest, I really do think this is why there is such a high turnover rate and teachers who started giving busy work only. In the inner city, administrators only care about putting out the illusion of proficiency while students and parents don’t want any accountability for their performance. As soon as a student fails because they have to actually try to learn (which is a risk for failing), the parent comes in screaming.

Yea, being an Art teacher you lost me at “ irrelevant like an art or music .”

I teach middle school in the inner city where missing and late work is a chronic issue so the suggestions and ideas above do not work. Students and parents have become complacent with failing grades so penalizing work isn’t going to motivate them to do better the next time. The secret to teaching in the inner city is to give them a way out without it becoming massive work for you. Because trust me, if you give them an inch they will always want a mile at your expense. Depending on which subject you teach, it might be easier to just do everything in class. That way it becomes an all or nothing grade. They either did or didn’t do the work. No excuses, no chasing down half the school through number of calls to disconnected phone numbers and out of date emails, no explaining to parents why Johnny has to stay after school to finish assignments when mom needs him home to babysit or because she works second shift and can’t pick him up, etc. Students have no reason for late work or for missing work when they were supposed to do it right there in class. Absent students can catch up with work when they return.

Milton, I agree with all of what you are saying and have experienced. Not to say that that is for all students I have had, but it is a slow progression as to what is happening with students and parents as years go by. I understand that there are areas outside of the classroom we cannot control and some students do not have certain necessities needed to help them but they need to start learning what can they do to help themselves. I make sure the students know they can come and talk to me if needing help or extra time, tutor after school and even a phone number to contact along with email if needing to ask questions or get help. But parents and students do not use these opportunities given until the week before school ends and are now wanting their student to pass and what can be done. It is frustrating and sad. I let students and parents know my expectation up front and if they do not take the opportunity to talk to me then the grade they earned is the result.

I am a special education resource teacher and late work/missing work happens quite a lot. After reading this article, I want to try a few different things to help minimize this issue. However, I am not the one making the grades or putting the grades in. I am just giving the work to the students in small group settings and giving them more access to the resources they need to help them be successful on these assignments based on their current IEP. I use a make-up folder, and usually I will pull these students to work on their work during a different time than when I regularly pull them. That way they do not miss the delivery of instruction they get from me and it does not punish my other students either if there is make-up work that needs to be completed. I try to give my students ample time to complete their work, so there is no excuse for them not to complete it. If they are absent, then I pull them at a time that they can make it up.

I too agree with that there’s a need for teachers to maintain more of a balance across classes when it comes to the amount of homework they give to students.

I had a few teachers who were willing to tolerate lateness in favor of getting it/understanding the material. Lastly, my favorite teacher was the one who gave me many chances to do rewrites of a ‘bad essay’ and gave me as much time as needed (of course still within like the semester or even month but I never took more than two weeks) because he wanted me to do well. I ended up with a 4 in AP exam though so that’s good.

Late work has a whole new meaning with virtual learning. I am drowning in late work (via Google Classroom). I don’t want to penalize students for late work as every home situation is different. I grade and provide feedback timely (to those who submitted on time). However, I am being penalized every weekend and evening as I try to grade and provide feedback during this time. I would love some ideas.

Hi Susan! I’m in the same place–I have students who (after numerous reminders) still haven’t submitted work due days…weeks ago, and I’m either taking time to remind them again or give feedback on “old” work over my nights and weekends. So, while it’s not specific to online learning, Jenn’s A Few Ideas for Dealing with Late Work is a post I’ve been trying to put into practice the last few days. I hope this helps!

Graded assignment flexibility is essential to the process of learning in general but especially in our new world of digital divide

It is difficult to determine who is doing the work at home. Follow up videos on seesaw help to see if the student has gained the knowledge or is being given the answers.

This is some good information. This is a difficult subject.

I love the idea of a catch-up cafe! I think I will try to implement this in my school. It’s in the same place every day, yes? And the teachers take turns monitoring? I’m just trying to get a handle on the logistics – I know those will be the first questions I get.

I really enjoyed this post. I think it provides a lot of perspective on a topic that teachers get way too strict about. I just wonder: wouldn’t it be inevitable for students to become lazy and care less about their understanding if there wasn’t any homework (or even if it was optional)? I know students don’t like it, and it can get redundant if they understand the content, but it truly is good practice.

Hi Shannon,

Glad the post helped! Homework is one of those hot educational topics, but I can’t say I’ve personally come across a situation or found any research where kids become lazy or unmotivated if not assigned homework. In fact, research indicates that homework doesn’t really have much impact on learning until high school. I just think that if homework is going to be assigned, it needs to be intentional and purposeful. (If students have already mastered a skill, I’m not sure how homework would provide them much benefit.) Here’s an article that I think is worth checking out. See what you think.

I like how you brought up how homework needs to be given with the understanding that not all kids have the same resources at home. Some kids don’t have computers or their parents won’t let them use it. There is no way of knowing this so teachers should give homework that requires barely any utensils or technology.

I think having students help determine the due dates for major assignments is a great idea. This works well with online schools too. Remote jobs are the future so helping students learn how to set their own due dates and to get homework done from home will prepare them for the future.

This year I am trying something new. After reading this article, I noticed that I have used a combination of some of these strategies to combat late work and encourage students to turn work in on time. I only record a letter grade in the grade book: A, B, C, D, F. If a student turns in an assignment late, I flag it as late, but it does not affect their “grade”.

If a student wants to redo an assignment, they must turn something in. If they miss the due date, they can still turn it in, but lose the opportunity to redo the assignment. Students will meet with me one last time before they turn it in to get final feedback.

At the end of the grading period, I conference with the student about their final grade, looking at how many times they have handed work in on-time or late. This will determine if the student has earned an A or an A+ .

I really appreciate how your post incorporates a lot of suggestions for the way that teachers can think about and grade homework. Thank you for mentioning how different students have different resources available as well. As teachers, we need to be aware of the different resources our students have and tailor our approach to homework to match. I like the idea of grading homework based on completion and accepting late work for full credit at any time (substituting a zero in the grade book until it is turned in). This is definitely a strategy that I’ll be using!

So glad the article was helpful for you! I will be sure to pass on your comments to Jenn.

I also have been teaching for a long time and I have found that providing an END OF WEEK (Friday at 11:59) due date for assignments allows students to get the work completed by that time. It helps with athletes, and others involved in extra curricular activities. I feel this is fair. I give my tests/quizzes on the days assigned and the supplemental work on Fridays.

I personally, as a special education teach, would allow my SPED students extra time to complete the work they have missed. This is in alignment with their IEP accommodations. I would work with each one independently and have remediation with the content that they are having difficulty. This setting would be in a small group and separate classroom.

I really like the idea of a work habits grade. I struggle with students who turn things in late regularly earning the same grade as those who always turn things in on time. A work habits grade could really motivate some learners.

I’ve been in education for 37 years and in all manner of positions. I share this only to also say that things have changed quite a bit. When I started teaching I only had one, maybe two students in a class of 34 elementary students that would not have homework or classwork finished. Now, I have two classes of about 15 each. One group is often half the class on a regular basis not having homework or not finishing classwork on a regular basis- so far. Additionally parents will pull students out to go to amusement parks, etc and expect all work to be made up and at full credit. I believe that the idea of homework is clearly twofold- to teach accountability and to reengage a learner. Classwork is critical to working with the content and, learning objective. We can all grade various ways; however, at some point, the learner has to step up. Learning is not passive, nor is it all on the teacher. I have been called “mean” because I make students do their work in class, refocusing them, etc. I find that is my duty. Late work should be simply dealt with consistently and with understanding to circumstance IMO. You were out or it was late because mom and dad were upset, ok versus we went to Disney for three days and I was too tired. hmm- used to be easy with excused/unexcused absences, now there is no difference. Late with no absence? That can be a problem and I reach out to home and handle it individually at my level.

Hi Jennifer! I really like your sharing about this topic! Late work is a problem that every teacher encounters. Thank you for your consideration of this issue and the many wise ideas you have provided. Your ideas also remind me to reflect on whether my overall program of assignments and grading is in a healthy place. I was inspired by the preventative measures you listed in this post. I want to try to include my students in setting deadlines, especially for some big projects. Students will feel respected by teachers and will be more willing to complete the assignments before deadlines! As you mentioned, some teachers have made homework optional or self-selected, or even stopped assigning homework. I partially agree with that opinion. I indeed try to reduce the amount of students’ homework or even stop assigning homework sometime, but doing related practice in class instead. I believe that the purpose of homework is to aid pupils in mastering the knowledge; it is not a necessary thing.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Yang. Jenn will be glad to know that you found the post inspiring!

Thanks so much for all your insights on giving assignments or homework. All are very helpful as I prepare to return to work after an extended medical leave. It is good to refresh! Anything we require of our students should be purposeful and meaningful to them, so they will give their best to meet whatever deadlines we set. I also like asking our students when is the best time they can turn work in; this is meeting them halfway. And if one strategy does not work, there are more to try; just read this post. Thanks a bunch!!

Jenn will be glad to know the post was helpful for you, Jo!

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Homework Excuses: Top Guide To Help You Not Do Homework

Homework excuses are common among students at all educational levels. It’s no secret that many learners dislike homework and must find ways to convince educators they are not at fault. Although academic life is exciting, it comes with burdens. Life hardships make some learners unable to complete homework within the deadlines that educators stipulate.

Whether in college, high school, or university, you will need excuses for not doing your homework. This article lists some of the best reasons learners give for not completing their homework. It’s helpful because not every learner is sufficiently creative to convince the teacher or professor to pardon them for not completing assignments.

What Are Homework Excuses?

A homework excuse is a story, explanation, or alibi that a student gives the teacher or professor for not completing their homework.

A learner may require an excuse for various reasons. For instance, they may need it to cover up for something else or lack a good reason to justify their inability to submit the assignment. Regardless of the case, students can use different excuses to convince educators not to punish or penalize them.

Excuses for not doing homework are essential for several reasons. For instance, a learner could be having a bad day. Or they may not feel like doing the assignment. Some educators bombard learners with many tasks with strict deadlines. In that case, students may lack time to do all the coursework and score their desired grades. Therefore, they can give excuses to get extra time to complete the homework.

What Is The Purpose Of HW Excuses?

Every student has been there- you have homework, but certain things prevent you from doing it.

The primary purpose of excuses is to temporarily help you get out of trouble for not doing the task. They can also allow you to focus on what prevents you from doing it.

Homework excuses give students a way to explain why they didn’t do their assignments. While learners have different reasons for using an excuse, the bottom line is avoiding the consequences of not completing the work or punishment. Nevertheless, students should keep a few things in mind whenever they use an excuse to justify their inability to submit homework on time.

First, learners should ensure their excuses are believable. A student shouldn’t try to use a fake reason, like saying your dog ate your homework. Second, they should prepare to back up their story if necessary. If the teacher asks for more information about the excuse, the learner should be ready to give it. Finally, students shouldn’t overuse excuses. If they constantly make excuses for not doing their homework, the teacher will catch on eventually.

Good Homework Excuses For Different Situations

An excuse for not completing homework can come in handy in different situations. Here are seven examples of reasons for not doing homework.

If you didn’t do your homework because you forgot about it, you could say that you were sick or that something came up that prevented you from doing it. Maybe you didn’t do your homework because you didn’t understand it. In that case, you can say that the instructions were confusing or that you couldn’t find the needed information. If you didn’t do your homework because you didn’t have enough time, you could say that you had extracurricular activities or that you had to work. Perhaps, you didn’t do your homework because you were procrastinating. In that case, you can say that you started it but ran out of time. If you didn’t do your homework because you were distracted, you can say that something came up or that you couldn’t focus. Maybe you didn’t do your homework because you were sick. If so, you can say that you had a doctor’s appointment or weren’t feeling well. If your reason for not doing homework was a busy schedule, you could say that you had a family emergency or that you had no option but to work.

Always remember that your excuse must be believable to serve its purpose. Therefore, choose a reason that best suits your situation.

Good Excuses To Miss Practice Or Class

Perhaps, you have other commitments that prevent you from attending practice or class. And this might prevent you from submitting your homework on time. In that case, you can give the following believable excuses:

I’m sorry I will miss practice/class. I have a doctor’s appointment.
I’m sorry I will miss practice/class. I have to work to avoid losing my job.
I’m sorry I will miss practice/class. My car broke down.
I’m sorry I will miss practice/class. My train has a delay.
I’m sorry I will miss practice/class. There is heavy traffic.

Note that you can also use these excuses for not completing your homework. Nevertheless, ensure you’re convincing the educator to believe you.

Advice On How To Give Good Excuses For Not Doing Homework

Not every learner can give an excuse and get away with it. That’s because educators were once students, meaning they knew all the tricks in the book. So, suppose you have difficulties giving your teacher a believable excuse for not completing and submitting homework. In that case, the following are tips for providing good excuses for not doing homework should help you get away with it.

Be confident: Unless you sell the excuse, chances are that your teacher won’t buy it. So, act as if you believe in what you’re saying, and chances are, your educator will find it too. Keep it short and sweet: The longer the story, the more likely it is to seem fabricated. So, make sure to keep your excuse short and to the point. Make it believable: As we said before, educators were once students. That means they know all of the excuses in the book. So, if you want to make your excuse believable, make sure it’s something that could happen. Be prepared to back it up: If your teacher asks for more information about your excuse, be ready to give it. And this will help make your story more believable. Don’t overuse excuses: If you’re constantly making excuses for not doing your homework, your teacher will catch on eventually. So, use them sparingly and only when necessary.

If you ever want to give excuses for homework, these tips should help you do so without getting caught. But if your teacher is on to your tricks, making up believable excuses might seem daunting. But don’t worry. There are still ways to make your reasons more plausible. For instance, try to use excuses that don’t involve technology. If you say your computer crashed and lost all your work, your teacher will likely ask for a hard copy or proof that you did the task.

Second, try to use excuses that are specific to the assignment. For example, if you’re trying to get out of doing a science project, saying you don’t have the materials is more believable than saying you don’t have the time. And finally, try to use excuses that are relevant to your life outside the school. If you’ve been sick recently or have a family emergency, your teacher is likelier to believe that you didn’t do your homework.

Nevertheless, the best way to avoid giving an excuse in the first place is to do your homework. That way, you won’t have to worry about coming up with a good reason for not doing it.

Tips On How To Avoid Making Excuses For Late Homework

Maybe you’ve given many excuses for not completing homework on time and think your teacher has begun suspecting you. Perhaps, you can no longer come up with the best excuses for not doing homework. In that case, the following tips will help you avoid giving excuses for missing class or not submitting homework on time.

Set a schedule: In addition to being organized, setting a schedule can help you avoid making excuses for failing to submit homework. That’s because scheduling will help you plan your time and ensure you’re working on your assignments when you’re supposed to be.
Be organized: If you want to avoid struggling to find the best excuses for missing school or not doing homework, try being organized. Organization means having a planner or another way to track your assignments and due dates.
Get rid of distractions: Another way to avoid excuses for failing to do homework is to get rid of distractions. And this could mean turning off your phone, getting off social media, and anything else that might prevent you from working on your assignments.
Start early: Another way to avoid excuses for missing homework is to start early. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to work on your assignments and won’t have to rush to finish them.
Ask for help: If you’re having trouble with your assignments, don’t hesitate to ask for help. For instance, you can turn to your parent, tutor, or even your teacher. Also, you can seek homework help online or pay for assignment . Nevertheless, choose a reputable service to ensure quality work and your information’s safety. Getting help will ensure that you complete your assignments and avoid making excuses for why they’re late.

These tips should help you avoid excuses because you will always complete your homework on time. Nevertheless, excuses are a necessary evil for students who want to get out of doing their homework. But with creativity, you can make even the most far-fetched excuse sound plausible. So next time you’re stuck trying to come up with an excuse, remember these tips, and you’ll be sure to get out of doing your homework in no time.

Get The Best Homework Help

Perhaps, you’re tired of struggling to find good excuses for missing homework. Maybe you want to ensure you always complete and submit your assignments on time. Perhaps you are out here thinking “who can do my assignment UK ?” In that case, we can help.

We offer high-quality homework assistance online to learners across educational levels. Whether in high school, pursuing our diploma, undergraduate, or post-graduate studies, we can help you. Our service is custom, cheap, and secure. We’re fast and reliable, with the best homework experts in all academic disciplines. Once you contact us saying, “Please do my homework,” we pick the most competent experts to start working on it immediately.

And this, combined with our expertise, enables us to deliver all assignments from our customers before their deadlines elapse. That means you will never struggle to find the best homework excuses with our service. So, use our service if you always want to be on good terms with your teacher or professor. Contact us now!

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How to Email Professor About Late Work

Last Updated: April 12, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed. and by wikiHow staff writer, Caroline Heiderscheit . Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 148,460 times.

With deadlines, jobs, activities, and relationships to juggle, managing your schedule as a student can be tough. If you’ve realized you’re going to miss a deadline (we’ve all been there), you might be wondering how to email your professor for an extension, to apologize, or to limit any late penalties. Don't worry, we've got you covered. Below, we'll walk you through how to email your professor, plus we'll give you some sample emails to inspire you, too. To learn how to email your professor about late work, read on!

Example Emails to Professors for a Late Assignment

Every now and then, it’s okay to miss a deadline. When this happens, send an email immediately and say something along the lines of, “I apologize for turning in this assignment late. Know that I take my work seriously, and I'll do my best to avoid this in the future. I would greatly appreciate an extension on this paper if possible.”

Tips For Late Work Emails

Don’t say: “I’m just genuinely so, so sorry. I can’t believe I turned this in late, and you have no idea how long I prepped for this assignment. I really am so sorry that I missed the deadline, and you should know that I will do my best in the future, even when I have tech issues, to not let this happen again.”
Instead say: “I apologize for turning in this assignment late. Know that I take my work seriously and I’ll do my best to avoid this in the future.”

Step 2 Include a subject line that's clear and detailed.

Don’t say: “Message from a student in Psych 104,” “Need an extension,” or “Hello from Randy Bernard!”
Instead say: “Extension Request for Psych104, Paper 2: Randy Bernard”

Step 3 Use a professional tone and be polite.

Use a formal greeting. “Dear Professor James,” and “Professor James,” are perfect. “Hey,” and “Hi,” are too informal and should be avoided.
Same goes for your signoff—choose a formal phrase. “Best,” and “Sincerely,” are great picks.
If you’re asking your professor for something, be sure to ask, not demand. Instead of saying “I need” an extension, say that an extension would be extremely helpful to you.
Remember to use “Please” and “Thank you," too!

Step 4 Apologize for your late assignment.

This could hurt your relationship and increase penalties on your assignment.
So instead, say you're sorry: “I apologize for my late assignment. I know you're busy, and I don’t want to waste your time.”
“I’m sorry for this late paper, especially because it communicates a lack of care and concern for my grades that I don't feel is accurate.”

Step 5 Ask for an extension if relevant.

“If I had an extra 48 hours to complete this assignment, I’d be able to fully explore and structure my insights for this term paper.”
“I would greatly appreciate an extension on this project. With a little more time, I could turn in my very best work and learn even more from this assignment."

“Last night, my dog had a bar of chocolate without me realizing. I’ve spent the entire evening with her at the vet.”
"To be entirely honest, I've been dealing with some mental health issues that are seriously affecting my schoolwork."
If you can, avoid lying. If you're granted an extension and the truth comes out later on, you could face major consequences.

Step 7 Take responsibility instead of avoiding blame.

Don’t say: “Honestly, it was out of my hands entirely. I’m a victim of circumstance, and that’s why my assignment is late.”
Instead say: “It's true that I didn’t plan for this to happen. That being said, if I’d started earlier, this wouldn’t have been an issue. So I know, ultimately, this is my fault. I take full responsibility.”

Step 8 Say that it won’t happen again and you take school seriously.

“This isn’t like me, and in the future, I promise to do better.”
“I take my schoolwork very seriously. If it weren’t for my dog’s illness, I would have made getting this assignment in my top priority.”

Sample Emails

Why You Should Email Your Professor About Late Work

Step 1 You could get a deadline extension for your assignment.

Policies around extensions differ from school to school, but by writing an A+ email, you can only help your chances.
Generally, professors only give you an extension under extenuating circumstances, like a major accident. They're going to be less inclined to extend an assignment if you had competing priorities, like work.
Professors are people too, and they want to help! Especially if you don’t have a history of late work, when you plead your case, they may be more forgiving than you’d expect.

Step 2 You might limit the number of points docked on your assignment.

Especially if you had a major, unforeseen factor pop up in the final moments before submitting your assignment, you may be able to explain and limit your punishment.

Step 3 Your professor will know that you take school seriously.

By offering a respectful and honest apology for your late assignment, you can improve your relationship with your professor, earn their respect, and possibly limit your late assignment’s penalties.

Expert Q&A

↑ https://dean.williams.edu/files/2010/09/Guide-to-Emailing-Professors-1.pdf
↑ https://advising.yalecollege.yale.edu/how-write-email-your-instructor
↑ https://studentaffairs.loyno.edu/health-counseling/university-counseling-center/news-ucc/emailing-your-professor-tips-tricks-health
↑ https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/how-to-ask-for-an-extension/
↑ https://www.makemyassignments.com/blog/how-to-complete-your-assignments-before-the-deadline/
↑ https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2019/09/23/tips-handling-missed-deadline-opinion

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Best Practices for Dealing With Late Homework

While there are different views on the use of homework, late homework may be an inevitable part of your teaching experience. If you choose to use homework, you also have to decide how you will address tardy assignments. Here, we offer ways to handle late homework.

While there are different views on the use of homework , late homework may be an inevitable part of your teaching experience. If you choose to use homework, you also have to decide how you will address tardy assignments.

Here we offer five ways the handle late homework that can help you manage the task efficiently, while still being fair to students who complete their work on time.

1. Create Consequences for Late Work

Penalizing students for turning homework in late is a common practice among teachers. If your student misses a deadline, there’s a clear, expected consequence.

Penalties, however, can also encourage students to complete the late assignment to receive partial credit. This ensures fairness — late work can’t achieve the same score as work that was submitted on time — while also giving students who turn homework in late an opportunity to learn the materials and succeed in the class, which is the ultimate goal.

2. Accept Late Work — for Legitimate Reasons

No, “my dog ate my homework” is not an acceptable reason for missing a homework deadline. But there are some situations that may warrant tardiness, such as a medical or family emergency.

Help your students understand your expectations for accepting late work without a penalty, as well as what you’ll need to verify those conflicts (such as a signed letter from a parent, for example). This is also a great way to preempt students’ attempts at making excuses, which could reduce the number of excuses you’ll field throughout the year.

3. Put Extensions on the Table

Not every student who turns work in late is unmotivated or irresponsible. Some students might be struggling to keep up with the workload, or they could be dealing with situations at home that make managing classroom deadlines difficult.

By encouraging students to ask for extensions, you can empower them to proactively manage their workload. Note that some students might try to take advantage of extensions to avoid late penalties. Creating boundaries, like requiring students to ask for an extension in advance of the deadline, can help.

4. Grant a ‘Next-Day Pass’

A next-day pass is a pass that grants your students the opportunity to submit a homework assignment the day after it’s due without penalty. Next-day passes afford students some flexibility that they can tap into when they need it, while also helping you eliminate the need to field excuses for late work and requests for extensions.

5. Take ‘Late’ Out of the Equation

Some teachers have adopted policies that don’t penalize students for turning work in late — no matter how late the assignment is or how many assignments are late. Instead of penalizing students for tardiness, this method grades students separately based on their ability to turn their assignments in on time. By creating a distinction between the work and deadlines, you may be able to better understand whether students who are struggling are not grasping the concepts or are dealing with other obstacles.

Looking for More Tips for the Classroom?

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The holidays are near, Arizona educators! Keep calm and get your teaching on.

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Welcome cooler temps, fall flavors and more with these fun ways to celebrate the season — in and out of the classroom. Is pumpkin spice your favorite seasoning? Do you love all things red, orange, and yellow? If so, you’ll love these fall-themed links. Think fall leaves are a plane ride away? Thin

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We share our favorite teacher-friendly links from the past week. Happy November! Fall in Arizona sets our teacher-hearts ablaze with the first hints of cooler weather and the promise of Thanksgiving. Here’s a quick list of links to start your month off on the right foot. Looking for fresh craft in

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The Acolyte Requires Zero Star Wars Homework

Amandla Stenberg and Carrie-Anne Moss in The Acolyte.

One of the biggest problems with Star Wars of late is, oftentimes, it can feel like homework. You could watch Ahsoka without having seen Rebels, but it made a lot more sense if you had . Andor works without seeing Rogue One but is definitely bolstered by it. And all the other movies and shows are set immediately before, after, or during other stories we’ve seen in other places. Something additional is always required to fully understand and appreciate the next story.

It’s been a long time—heck, maybe even going back to 1977—since Star Wars had a clean, simple, accessible entry point. A place anyone could join in without any prior knowledge and just enjoy as a Star Wars story. But that’s exactly what we’re getting next week with The Acolyte.

On the surface, The Acolyte seems like more of the same. It’s set 100 years before the events of The Phantom Menace during the end of the High Republic, a time period that has primarily been explored in print media. There are dozens of books and probably a hundred characters that have been created for that era. It seems daunting. But, even though The Acolyte is set in and around the High Republic, zero knowledge of it is required to enjoy the show.

“This is a fresh entry point,” Acolyte creator Leslye Headland told a group of Star Wars fansites recently. “[A familiarity with The High Republic] would definitely elevate the show if you’ve had the experience of immersing yourself in that beautiful world. But you certainly don’t need to have read anything or know any references to it.”

Having seen the first two episodes of the show , that openness is immediately apparent and appreciated. The story drops us in with all new characters, all new worlds, all new stories, and we just go along for the ride. All you really need to know are the building blocks of Star Wars: Jedi, the Force, lightsabers, etc. If you know and like that stuff, you’ve done all the preparation you need.

“We’re taking place a bit out, a bit closer to the prequels than the High Republic,” Headland continued. “So hopefully we have enough referencing of the High Republic but we’re not leaning on it narratively to support our story. I would like to think our story stands on its own.”

And a Star Wars story that stands on its own for everyone to enjoy is a very good thing indeed. The Acolyte debuts with its first two episodes June 4 on Disney+.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel , Star Wars , and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV , and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who .

For the latest news, Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

Amandla Stenberg and Carrie-Anne Moss in The Acolyte.

IMAGES

Late Assignment Excuses
Late Assignment Excuses
20 Good Excuses for Late Assignment Submission Your Teacher won’t
Best Excuses For Not Doing Homework that Students Make [Not Common]
Forgetting Homework Excus
The Best Late Homework Excuses

VIDEO

1000 IQ+ homework excuse
"The dog ate my homework" excuse won't work
Students excuse for their homework #animation #shorts #studentmemes credits : @Ryanhdlombard
his excuse for uncompleted homework
Back to school🤦/Late homework😥😥/Compine together

COMMENTS

51 Best Homework Excuses (Serious, Funny, Strict Teachers)
Blame the Parents. 41. My parents don't believe in homework and won't let me do it. There are some parents like this. If a student said this to me, I'd be on the phone to the parents. So, if you don't want your teacher to call your parents, don't use this excuse. 42. My mother said band practice was more important.
The Ten Best Excuses for Late Homework from a Teacher Who's Heard
1. Know how gullible your teacher is. Some teachers will believe anything, especially new teachers. More experienced teachers are much more difficult to fool and more likely to be bitter and jaded. Experienced teachers have also heard most of the lame excuses you have planned. 2. Know how strict your teacher is.
49 Best Excuses For Not Doing Homework • Better Responses
3. "We have surprised guest visitors and they stay the whole day.". 4. "Because I didn't know where to start, I'm unable to complete the homework.". 5. "There's some fixing work going on at my home, especially in my room.". 6. "I was about to do homework, but I don't understand a thing.". 7.
How to Make Up a Good Excuse for Your Homework Not Being Finished
2. Keep things short and to the point. The briefer your excuse, the easier it will be to remember. When making up an excuse for a teacher, keep your story short. Going into excessive detail can seem suspicious and you'll also be more likely to accidentally change aspects of your story.
Late Assignment Excuses That Don`t Fail
Poor Excuses for Late Homework. While it is important to be truthful and open about good excuses for being late, it is equally important to identify and avoid offering lame excuses that show a lack of accountability. Here are a few examples that tend to be perceived as unconvincing or inappropriate: Procrastination. Blaming poor time management ...
3 Ways to Excuse Yourself from Unfinished Homework
3. Ask a parent to write an excuse for you. A dangerous move, you can forge a note from a parent explaining why you couldn't do your homework. If you decide to forge one, be warned that your teacher might know it's a fake. If you are caught, you face punishment from both your parents and teacher. Method 3.
7 Homework Excuses That Work
7 Homework Excuses That Work. At some point in our academic journeys, we've all faced the challenge of not having our homework ready for submission. While it's crucial to adhere to deadlines and maintain consistency in our academic responsibilities, there are moments when life throws a curveball that interferes with our best-laid plans.
Mastering Homework Excuses: Strategies for Effective Response and
Here are some excuses commonly used for strict teachers: - I was sick, and I have a sick note. - My mother or father went to the hospital, and here's the sick note. - My computer screen broke, and here's a picture. - The computer broke, but here are my handwritten notes. - The Wi-Fi didn't work, but here are my handwritten notes.
Excuses For Not Doing Homework · Excuse Genius
Here are some of the most common excuses for not doing homework: I didn't understand the assignment. This is a common excuse, especially if you're in a class where the material is new or unfamiliar. If this is the case, don't be afraid to ask your teacher for clarification. They'll be more than happy to help you understand the ...
The 10 Most Common Homework Excuses Teacher's Receive (And How to Come
Even if you did forget your homework, come up with something more creative than this. Here's a little trick: "I forgot my homework, but my mom said she'll bring it in during lunch/after school.". This will buy you a few hours. Do the assignment during lunch and bring it in after school. My printer doesn't work: Come on!
What to Say (and Not Say) When Handing in Late Assignments, According
Late work penalties are almost always noted in the syllabus, and it's hard to fight a grade reduction when things are clearly laid out in writing well before the homework is due. You can try ...
Late Assignment Submission Excuses
Be honest. Don't try to lie or make up excuses. Your professor will be able to tell if you're not being truthful. Be specific. Explain exactly what happened and why it prevented you from turning in your assignment on time. Be apologetic. Express your sincere apologies for turning in your assignment late. Be respectful.
11 Excuses for Not Doing Homework (And How to Stop Making Them)
Excuse #1: You lack the required knowledge. Let your parents and teacher know if you're taking a class and feel as if you lack the necessary skills or knowledge to complete the homework. Ask your teacher for extra guidance so you don't fall too far behind. See if your parents can find the time to help you, or you can look for a tutor.
31 Best Assignment Extension Excuses (2024)
A List of Late Homework Excuses; 27 Pros and Cons of Homework; 8. There was a Death in the Family. This is the most common reason for extension requests. Let me be clear: every teacher is bamboozled that there seems to be a spike in the deaths of grandmas whenever assessments are due. We're skeptical about this one, to say the least.
9 Excuses for Late Assignments: Turning Online Homework Late
1. Blaming Illness for late Homework. Illness and sickness are natural happenings that are unavoidable in someone's life. Such situations may make one lack the physical and emotional strength to work on the assignment or homework. While giving such an excuse, ensure that it is valid by backing it up with the note from your doctor.
14 Hilarious Homework Excuses
August 21, 2015. If you're an educator, you've undoubtedly heard your fair share of excuses from students who don't have their assigned homework with them, which can range from plausible to hilariously absurd. We've compiled some of the best homework excuses that educators in our Facebook community have heard during their time in the wacky ...
A Few Ideas for Dealing with Late Work
Another variation on this approach is to assign a batch of work for a whole week and ask students to get it in by Friday. This way, students get to manage when they get it done. Other names mentioned for this strategy were flexible deadlines, soft deadlines, and due windows. 6. Let Students Submit Work in Progress.
Best Homework Excuses
Homework excuses give students a way to explain why they didn't do their assignments. While learners have different reasons for using an excuse, the bottom line is avoiding the consequences of not completing the work or punishment. ... Tips On How To Avoid Making Excuses For Late Homework. Maybe you've given many excuses for not completing ...
Emailing a Professor about Late Work: Best Examples & Tips
Then, make sure to be as courteous as possible throughout your email as well. [3] Use a formal greeting. "Dear Professor James," and "Professor James," are perfect. "Hey," and "Hi," are too informal and should be avoided. Same goes for your signoff—choose a formal phrase. "Best," and "Sincerely," are great picks.
Best Practices for Dealing With Late Homework
4. Grant a 'Next-Day Pass'. A next-day pass is a pass that grants your students the opportunity to submit a homework assignment the day after it's due without penalty. Next-day passes afford students some flexibility that they can tap into when they need it, while also helping you eliminate the need to field excuses for late work and ...
30 Valid & Good Excuses For Being Late for Work
and. The Last of Us, Dear Geoff, I am writing to inform you that I will be late arriving to work this morning due to our nanny letting us down. My husband had already left for work when I received a phone call saying she was too unwell to mind our toddler. After some back and forth, I was able to arrange for my parents to mind the little one today.
The Funniest Excuses Ever Uttered
Home to Texas. Working on an oil rig in North Dakota during the winter weeds out the riffraff. One day, one of my workers told me he had to go home to get a warmer coat. He was gone for a few days ...
4 Acceptable Excuses for Being Late to Work
Traffic. Another common excuse for being late is an issue with traffic. Major accidents, construction and other events can cause traffic to slow, which may impact your commute and your ability to get to work on time. While this excuse is common, it is best to use it infrequently so your employer trusts that your lateness is not habitual or the ...
Top 10: What is the most creative excuse you have heard for someone
Cayla Chow Tsz-ching, 14, King Ling College: The most creative excuse I have heard for someone being late is that there was an earthquake. Hence, he hid under the bed and accidentally fell asleep.
The Acolyte Requires Zero Star Wars Homework
One of the biggest problems with Star Wars of late is, oftentimes, it can feel like homework. You could watch Ahsoka without having seen Rebels, but it made a lot more sense if you had. Andor ...