If you're going to choose someone's homework to copy, you need to choose someone who's good in maths.
Blanche Hanalis
Have you ever stumbled to class, filled with dread and wondering how you're going to explain why you don't have any work to turn in? When that happens, pupils cook up excuses so they won't get into trouble.
If you feel like we're speaking directly to you... we are. Adults were once pupils, and we know how school life is. Sometimes, it's hard to muster any enthusiasm for assignments, but if you learn some homework tips, things won't be so bad. Still, you need a go-to list of excuses, for when the going gets too rough.
| 💡 Excuse | When or how best to use it |
|---|---|
| The dog ate it | Only once per term. Best if you can show other dog-chewed items. |
| I don't remember getting homework | Do not use if teacher assigns homework online. |
| I thought it was in my bag. | If you have a new or different bag. |
| I didn't understand the assignment. | Look innocent; possibly ask for extra guidance. |
| My computer crashed. | Use only if the assignment calls for computer usage. |
| Too much homework from another class. | Use sparingly! |
| I was absent when you assigned the work. | Best if your mates back you up. |
| I was busy volunteering. | Best if you have pictures to show, and if the volunteering was noble. |
| I was so sick! | Works well when mates back you up, or if you have a note from home. |
| Tell the truth. | Not an excuse, but still the best idea. |
🐶The Dog Ate It
We head our list up with the classic - who hasn't heard about that homework-hating dog that must eat every assignment? Or maybe it's a homework-loving dog who craves the taste of graphite and ink.
Over the centuries, dogs have been accused of eating everything including, in one story published in 1808, a playing card that would have lost its master the high-stakes game he was playing.
This excuse is based on the true account of an Anglican priest, whose sermons tended to go on and on. He had to cut his preaching short one Sunday because a dog had gotten into his study and had eaten several pages of the sermon. The worshippers were reportedly delighted at spending less time in the pews.
The original dog who ate homework was allegedly Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise's pet fox.
The bottom line: despite its long history, this is not the most subtle or workable of excuses. However, should you have a dog… If all else fails, bring a few chewed-on pages as proof.
😩I Don’t Remember Getting any Homework
Today's technology poses problems for your alleged Swiss cheese memory. It makes it much harder to say you forgot about homework assignments. Upon any claim of faulty memory on your part, your teacher will ask if you checked with your mates.
Besides, what if your teacher assigned homework online, through your school's web-based learning portal? They'll see that you logged in, clearly proving you knew you had work to do.
You're golden with this excuse, but only if your teacher uses no web-based learning platforms. You probably DO remember getting your homework, but they can't be sure of that, right? This particular excuse work best if the whole class - or, at least a majority of your classmates made the same claim.
This is one of the best excuses for not doing homework if your assignment is particularly difficult. You and your mates can agree to back each other's stories up. Likewise, if you'd prioritise doing your homework, a study group is a fine idea.
😲I Thought it Was in My Bag
This excuse works for just about anything, from the money you owe a friend to the book you promised to return. And, of course, for homework not done. It is particularly effective if you first dig into your backpack as you normally would.
And then, more frantically, your fingers scrabble and scour every pocket, even as you cast panicked glances around the room. If you could work up an embarrassed flush, that would be the icing on the cake.
You should make sure not to use this excuse too often with the same teacher. If you don't bring your homework to class several times in the same week, your teacher will probably realise that you simply haven't done it.
😵I Didn’t Understand the Homework
This is one of the best excuses for not doing homework for science and maths classes. That doesn't mean it won't fly if the assignment called for you to write at length. You might need to explain that you didn't get you were supposed to write about.
This story hits two birds with one stone when you combine it with "Could you explain it to me, please?". You'll get help with your homework and a deadline extension, especially if you actually don’t understand the assignment.
You might also try to have a quick look at the assignment before you start explaining why you haven't done it. Your argument will be more convincing if you point to the exact part of the assignment that was unclear. Should you choose this one from your list of homework excuses, beware of these possible teacher-counters (remember these answers!).
Did you ask your classmates?
"Ma'am/Sir, I asked my dad/mom/older sister for help. They couldn't advise me, either."
You're too good a student!
"Ma'am/Sir, this isn't my usual style, I know. But I truly did struggle with this assignment!"
You're pulling a fast one on me!
(Bursting into tears) "Nobody ever takes me seriously! Everyone expects so much from me!"
Anyone using these homework excuses should be aware that their teachers will not always believe them. Indeed, depending on how much experience the teacher has, they will know that the student is trying to deceive them. To avoid that kind of situation, it's best to do your homework effectively.
💻My Computer Crashed
More schools are turning to web-based platforms to assign and turn in homework. This gives us a whole new spectrum of good excuses for not doing homework.
When the student's laptop is out of service, there is no way they can get their homework done. Calling a technician to repair the laptop may take several days and buying a new computer just to do your homework would be too expensive.
Besides laptop crashes, you might invoke pets and/or younger siblings breaking your laptop. Hackers, power failures and even that your printer ran out of ink could work, in a pinch. Of course, that last will be the least effective excuse, especially if you are a serial homework offender. Your teacher may say you could have loaded your work onto a USB drive and taken it to a print shop.
Beware too that, if no other student suffered a power outage, invoking that reason may force to veer into the 'parents didn't pay the bill' territory. That would be the only other reason that only you had no electricity to power your devices.
😩Too Much Homework from Another Class
Primary and secondary school teachers usually have an idea of how much homework their colleagues assign. Besides, if they didn't, it would be a snap for them to check. They may start by asking your classmates; their responses might prove embarrassing for you.
Even if you lay out everything you did for that supposed other class, this story puts you and your teacher in a difficult position. This excuse might work if your professor is too inexperienced to know better or a bit on the negligent side.
On one hand, they might think: "Poor you, clearly you’ve been given far too much homework!". However, on the other, they may contend that other teachers' assignments aren't their concern. Furthermore, being a college/university student, you should manage your schedule and workload more efficiently.
This excuse would work best for college and university students.
Some teachers could take this excuse the wrong way, as though you care more about the other subject than theirs. So, use this argument very carefully and insist that it was an exceptional case in which you had no other choice. Keep this one in reserve for when you truly have nothing else to offer.
👋I was Absent When the Homework was Assigned
You might have earned your attendance tick in the register the day of the assignment announcement. Still, this story could fly if you can convince your teacher you were in the loo when they announced it. It would work particularly well if you are, indeed, a frequent visitor to the loo during class.
If you don't routinely excuse yourself from class, you must try to convince your teacher that they marked you present by mistake.
Here again, your classmates would have to vouch for you. Failing that, you might rope your parents into providing a note. Be sure it explains that, of course, you were absent on that day because you had to do something far more important than attending class.
Beware that telling teachers that you did not hear them announce the assignment may not be a good idea. It would be mean you did not pay attention in class. It is better not use excuses that can damage your reputation as a student and anger the teacher at the same time.
🆘Busy with Extra-curricular Activities and Volunteering
Did you know you could polish your civic, duty-bound image and still deploy homework excuses? Saying you couldn't do any homework because you were helping others would be a sure bet.
Our schools strive to provide citizenship education to all learners. If a student demonstrates social awareness, their teacher will be happy and proud about that.
Claiming team sports or group activities as your extracurricular activity is another good option.
Even rowing, playing chess and singing in the church choir can be good excuses for not doing homework. They are beneficial activities that teach students new skills and widen their general knowledge.
Just remember that you should choose the reason you're too busy for homework wisely. If volunteering is your excuse, it would be best to actually volunteer. Should your deception find exposure, your fall from grace will be twice as far.
🤮I Was So Sick!
Not so long ago, in the halcyon, pre-COVID days, being sick was a classic homework excuse. One could claim a 24-hour bug, food poisoning or come to class looking convincingly wan and plead a fever the night before.
Not only would you be excused from turning in your assignments but you might have garnered a bit of sympathy... to say nothing of a handy extension on your deadline for turning work in.
Post-COVID, you may well be so ill that you're unable to distinguish your cat from your homework. However, if you claim you were bedridden and feverish, you may land yourself in quarantine. Missing out on classes, as well as leisure activities, can't outweigh the best excuses for not doing homework.
😎Tell the Truth
If you always dole out excuses for why your homework isn't done on time, perhaps it’s time to pull out your ace in the hole – the truth.
Honesty is still the best policy, after all. Your teacher will appreciate you telling the truth. It should be a refreshing change from the usual bombardment of (only somewhat believable) excuses.
Use truth-telling when you’re feeling especially sincere (and desperate). Or, the best yet: tell the truth all the time. The consequences for what we do (or don't do) may seem terrible, at the time. In reality, they often turn out to be less serious.
You teacher might give you additional homework to counterbalance the one you did not do. That way, you will still get a good mark and improve your subject knowledge. Besides, if you knew how to do homework, you wouldn't have to worry about recycling excuses and getting bad marks in class.
🎁Bonus Excuses
The all-time best excuses for not doing homework might not suit you. Or, maybe you've used them all at least once this school year. You might need extra excuses to save you from the wrath of Teacher:
- I left it at home
- I dropped it in the sewer on the way to school
- I left it in my other satchel/bookbag/binder/notebook
- I was looking it over and left it on the bus
- I let (insert name of classmate) borrow it and s/he did not give it back you may even claim that the treacherous friend turned your work in as theirs
- My little brother/sister drew all over it (or used it to make a paper aeroplane, a boat, a nest for their guinea pig...)
- My mother/father accidentally shredded it, along with other important documents
- My parents were looking it over and forgot to give it back
- My tutor accidentally packed it away with his papers
- I spilled (insert name of a document-ruining food or beverage) all over it
Admittedly, for all that they are plausible, some of these excuses are quite funny. Your teacher may give you props for your inventiveness when you use them. However, if chronic homework neglect is your study style, be careful not to use the same excuse too many times. Otherwise, your teacher may not be sympathetic towards you.
Especially not if you have a legitimate reason for not completing homework. In fact, it would be easier to concentrate on your homework, and save your inventiveness for creative writing assignments.
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amazin
My math teacher gave me detention when i said my sister drew on it
thankyou!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello. Thank you for always good blog
My teachers to smart
I got detention for telling the truth. I’ve learnt something today from that always lie.
I had a detention when I said that my dog had eaten my homework
Good but i think my teacher wont beleive these excusise