top ten homework excuses

51 Best Homework Excuses (Serious, Funny, Strict Teachers)

Homework. No one wants to do it. But no one wants to get in trouble either. So, here are some of the best homework excuses that are serious, funny, and might even work for strict teachers!

As a teacher myself, I’ve heard most of these excuses. I laughed at a few and rolled my eyes at most.

At the end of the day, you’re only going to get away with not doing homework if you’ve got a solid excuse and a bunch of evidence to back it up. Good luck!

Read Also: 27 Pros and Cons of Homework

Cliché Homework Excuses

These are terrible homework excuses that, really, students should avoid. They might be fun to use, but most of them have been over-used. Your teacher won’t believe you unless you’ve brought some evidence along with you.

1. My Dog ate my Homework. Look, no one’s ever going to believe this one. Maybe avoid it unless you want to spend lunch time inside catching up.

2. My Computer Broke. This one’s more believable but it’s been over-used. Thanks to all the liars out there, this homework excuse is well and truly ruined.

3. My Mom Forgot It. Nothing like blaming your mother for your own failures. Most teachers would probably tell you to take a little personal responsibility and send you on your way.

4. The Internet was Out. As believable as any excuse, your teacher might tell you that you’d better buy yourself an old hardback encyclopedia.

5. My Grandma Died. Again. The oldest excuse in the book, I always ask for evidence of this. Some people seem to have 15 grandmas.

6. The Older Kids Took it off me and Tore it Up. Chances are, your teacher’s going to be very concerned by this. They might even escalate this to a disciplinary issue!

Related: A List of Extension Excuses for College Students

Funny Homework Excuses

These ones might get a laugh out of your teacher and your classmates. But, you’re not likely to get out of trouble in the long run.

7. My Mother wanted to Display it on the Fridge. You might get a few laughs from your friends out of this one. But, your teacher is going to tell you to go home, take it off the fridge, and bring it to class!

8. The Police Confiscated it as Evidence. This one might make your teacher pause and wonder. Why is it confiscated? Is it so poorly written that the police consider it an outrage? Maybe your joke will deflect them from punishing you, though.

9. I was Abducted by Aliens and They took It. If your teacher believes this one, let me know. I’ve got some air guitars to sell them.

10. I sent it to you in the Post. In this day and age, you might have to tell your teacher they should wait a few months to it arrive. The postal service isn’t what it used to be.

11. My Dad mistook it for a Letter and Posted it to China. Funny, but clearly not true. Your teacher is going to ask one simple question: why is your dad sending letters to China?

12. I had to burn it in the Fireplace to keep myself Warm. Like Pablo Escobar burning cash, you’ve thrown caution to the wind and thrown your homework book into the fire because, well, if you didn’t, you wouldn’t have survived the freezing cold night.

13. It flew out the Window of the Car. Just picture it. You’re frantically doing your homework on the drive to school. Your dad winds down the window and – woosh – the homework’s gone for good. And class is in just 15 minutes!

14. I thought I’d do it Tomorrow because I’ll be Older and Wiser Then. A clever joke, but you’re probably going to be known as the class clown from that moment onwa rd!

15. I did my Work. It’s all Up Here in my Head. Be prepared for your teacher to give you a snap quiz on the spot if you’re bold enough to say you’ve got it all in your head! But, if you pull it off, maybe you’ll get away without too much trouble.

16. I didn’t do it because I didn’t want to add to your Workload. Sure, it sounds nice, but your teacher will see right through this cheeky response. But hey, when you’ve got nothing to lose it’s worth a try.

17. My Hand fell Asleep and I didn’t want to Wake It. Imagine you were trying so hard to do your homework and write down those answers. But, your hand just wouldn’t obey your command!

18. My Cat ate it knowing that I’d Blame the Dog. This one’s a funny twist on “my dog ate my homework” that might just get a laugh out of your teacher (and a little bit of leniency).

Related: Excuses for Skipping Class in College

Excuses For Strict Teachers

Okay, here’s where things get serious. If you’ve got a teacher who you know is going to be mad, you need to come into this with a plan. Usually, that means providing evidence to support your excuse.

19. I was Sick. And I have a Sick Note. Being sick (genuinely!) is one of the few reasons for not doing your homework that might actually work. You’re going to want to be able to present a note from your parent and maybe even a doctor.

20. My Mother or Father went to Hospital. And here’s the Sick Note. If your mom or dad is in hospital, chances are you’re going to get a free pass. Bring evidence, even if it’s a photo of dad in the hospital bed with tubes coming out of his nose!

21. My Computer Screen Broke. And here’s a Picture. I’ve actually gotten this one from students a few times and it really took me back. I thought: “is this legit, or is this image from 3 years ago?” A receipt from the computer repair store with a date on it is usually a better piece of evidence. But then again, why didn’t you go to the library?

22. The computer broke, but here are my hand-written notes. I’m usually pretty impressed by this excuse. Your computer broke, but you still made the effort to give the homework a go anyway. Great resilience!

23. The wi-fi didn’t work, but here are my hand-written notes. This excuse is very similar to the previous one. If you turn up with nothing and say the wi-fi broke, the teacher probably won’t accept that excuse. But if you actually tried to write some notes anyway, well done!

24. I wasn’t here when the work was assigned. This is an excellent homework excuse for strict teachers. It’s really quite legitimate. How were you supposed to know you had homework!?

25. I tried, but I didn’t understand the Instructions. This puts the onus back on the teacher. Why didn’t they provide clearer instructions? It’s usually a good idea to show some evidence that you at least gave it a go, though.

26. I volunteer at the soup kitchen on Monday Nights. Everyone loves a good Samaritan. If it gets you out of homework, well, that’s just the universe giving you good karma.

27. I’m so sorry. I thought it was right here in my Bag! This one helps show that it at least is a genuine mistake.

28. I had way too much Homework for my other Class. Follow this one up with “You should talk to that teacher about how their overbearing homework requirements are impacting your students!”

29. The Library was Closed and I don’t have Internet at Home. This one might get you a little more sympathy. The fact you don’t have internet at home means you’re not as privileged as many other kids, so your teacher might let you off lightly.

Related: Fun Things to do when Bored in Class

Truthful Homework Excuses

30. I was too busy doing something more important. Your teacher is instantly going to say “what was more important than your education?” Don’t respond with “video games.”

31. My parents kept me really busy on the weekend. But I promise I’ll do it tonight. One thing I would say about this excuse is that you’re saying “Hey, take it up with my parents. I wanted to do some homework!” But, you’re also saying you’ve got a plan to get it done asap.

32. I was at football practice all night. Many teachers will still say “learning comes before sports” (which, as a teacher, I agree with). But, you’ve got a leg to stand on here. You don’t want to let your team down, which is fair.

33. I did my homework, but I left it at home. This excuse does show that you at least put the effort in. But, you failed at the finish line! Come to class tomorrow with the homework and you’ll win back some respect from your teacher.

34. I forgot I even had homework. Hey, it’s truthful. But you’re not going to get any sympathy for this one.

35. The computer didn’t break. It was the Printer this time! An excuse that’s almost as bad as “my computer broke”, the printer issues excuse at least needs some photographic evidence to back it up. And, why didn’t you email the homework to your teacher?

36. I had a Headache. Headaches are the worst. As a teacher myself, I’d probably have a little sympathy for this excuse if it’s a one-off. But, I’d expect my student to bring a note from the parent to corroborate the story.

37. The homework was far too Easy. This isn’t a good reason not to do homework. Your teacher is going to expect you to absolutely ace your next test.

38. My tutor accidentally took it home with them. Nothing like blaming your tutor for your own problems. As a teacher, I’d probably roll my eyes and tell you that you need to keep better track of your things.

39. I accidentally squished it in the bottom of my bag and now it’s got rotten apple juice all over it. This one’s funny to me because, well, as a kid this always used to happen to me. Rotten bananas were usually the culprit.

40. I spilled cereal all over it because I was doing it over breakfast. This sounds believable. I would tell my student the should at least show me the ruined homework as evidence. And, I’d also tell them that breakfast isn’t the best time to do your homework.

See a List of 11 Homework Statistics

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. It’s really hard for teachers to argue with parents via the student. But in my experience the teacher usually responds with: “you need to have better organization skills to get all of these things done in your own time!”

43. I help my father at work on a Tuesday afternoon. I just can’t get it done on Tuesdays. Once again, the teacher is likely going to tell you to have more organization skills. But, you might occasionally get an extension out of this. Especially if you let the teacher know in advance.

44. My father looked at it, said it was outrageous government indoctrination, and told me not to do it. While I think this is hilarious, it’s also something that happens a lot these days. Why is this world so divided? Science isn’t controversial, people!

45. My mother was looking over my homework and forgot to give it back to me. Okay, time for me to put my teacher voice on: “She didn’t forget to give it back to you. You forgot to ask for it back.”

46. My mother threw it in the trash. This must have been frustrating to you! A teacher with a quick wit will respond: “it shouldn’t have looked like trash then. You must have done a bad job!” Or, a more serious teacher might just tell you that you need to be more organized net time.

Blame the Teachers

47. You give too much Homework. There are plenty of people out there in this world who think teachers do give too much homework. They believe it’s not fair and it’s preventing children from leading a balanced and healthy life.

48. Your instructions are impossible to understand. This one really puts the pressure back on the teacher because you’re basically telling them that they’re bad at their job.

49. This was way too hard for me. You need to give me more guidance. Sometimes, it’s true, teachers do assign homework that’s way too hard. You do need to be resourceful and find ways to learn yourself. But at the same time, the teacher really should know better.

50. The homework is too easy. It’s a complete waste of my time. Assigning homework is like playing Goldilocks. It can’t be too hard, can’t be too easy.

51. Between you and all my other teachers, you’re assigning hours of homework every night. You all need to get together and resolve this. This one’s surely going to set a cat amongst the pigeons. The teachers are going to talk about this at their next staff meeting. But, they might coordinate and come back at you as a united front!

FAQ: How to Get Out of Doing Homework?

The best ways to get out of doing homework are to:

• Let the teacher know in advance that you won’t be able to do it. Teachers respond better when you give them an excuse before time, not after.
• Bring evidence of why you didn’t do it. If you want your teacher to truly believe your excuse, you need evidence. This can be notes, photos, receipts, or anything else proving your story is true.

Really, the best way to avoid any issues is to just do the homework in the first place. But if you’re reading this article, chances are the horses have left the stable. You’re at a stage where you’ve got to come up with an excuse because in 10 minutes your teacher is going to be asking you why you haven’t done anything!

Well, good luck with that! I hope you don’t get into too much trouble, but I also hope you learn that next time the best solution is to just get that homework done in advance.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

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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

30 Good Excuses To Get Out Of Something (That Are Believable)

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Do you need a good excuse to get out of something? You’re in the right place.

For the purpose of this article, we’ll assume that you want to reject someone close to you, like a friend asking you to go out or a loved one asking you to spend time with them.

However, if you carefully follow the steps below, you’ll be able to get out of anything. Plus, you can be honest, avoid hurting anyone, and feel guilt-free about it.

You can even use some of these excuses in your professional life and with acquaintances, not just friends and family. Keep reading to learn how to tailor them based on your specific circumstances.

But let’s start with the list of excuses you can use to get out of something you just don’t want to do.

30 Excuses To Get Out Of Going Somewhere Or Doing Something

• “Sorry, I’m not feeling so well.”
• “Sorry, I have a lot of work to do right now.”
• “I wish I could, but my family came to visit unexpectedly.”
• “I’m sorry, but I totally forgot that it’s my cousin’s birthday today.”
• “I’m sorry, but I already made plans with my family that I totally forgot about!”
• “My partner is having a crisis, and I really need to be there for them right now.”
• “Sorry, but I’m running behind on work, and I might get fired if I don’t do all this on time.”
• “To be honest, I’m exhausted these days, and I don’t think I can bring myself to go out.”
• “Sorry, my friend just asked me for help with something, could we see each other some other time?”
• “I wish I could, but I can’t find anyone to take care of my pet, so I’ll have to reschedule.”
• “Sorry, my loved one is having an emergency and I really have to be there for them right now.”
• “Oh god, I totally forgot about our plans, I’m so sorry! I hope we can reschedule.”
• “I have an early day tomorrow, so I’ve got to get to bed. Maybe we can do this next week instead.”
• “My house is a mess, and I really need to get my life in order before making any more plans. Sorry about that; I hope you understand.”
• “I hurt my ankle while hiking, so I’ll be in bed for a few days. I’ll let you know when I’m back on my feet and we’ll get together then!”
• “My car broke down, and so did I. I’m really not in the mood to go out right now, sorry.”
• “I wish I could, but I’m currently broke. Please be patient while I get my life in order.”
• “You wouldn’t believe the day I had; I can’t bring myself to see anyone right now. Let’s talk a few days from now.”
• “Last night was crazy, and I don’t have the energy to get out of bed today, hope you understand. Sorry for the late response.”
• “Something came up at work, and with the traffic, there’s no way I can make it, sorry about that, let’s reschedule.”
• “I have to be honest with you, I really don’t feel like it today, hope you can understand, I’m going through some things and will get back to you as soon as I’m on my feet again.”
• “I have a deadline, and it can’t wait. Let’s talk once I clear my schedule.”
• “I have a lot of meetings today, and by the time they’re all done, I’ll be exhausted. So let’s do this another time.”
• “I caught something, and I might be contagious, so let’s stay safe and see each other once I’m feeling well again.”
• “I lost my wallet with my ID, so going anywhere is really hard for me right now, but let’s talk again when I sort this thing out.”
• “My roommate/partner and I got into a huge fight, so give me some time to sort all this out, and we’ll talk later.”
• “To be honest, I’d rather just stay home and get cozy, life hasn’t been easy on me lately.”
• “I ran into my ex today and it floored me emotionally, so I really need some alone time right now, hope you understand.”
• “I have to go to the doctor’s to get some test results, I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
• “I’m waiting for the delivery guy, ordered something really important and can’t miss the chance to get it as soon as possible, let’s rain check please.”

How To Use These Excuses

1. be ready for follow-up questions..

Whichever excuse you use, be prepared for questions.

“I’m having a personal issue that I need to urgently tend to,” would probably be enough for a boss or a coworker not to ask you more about it. But if it’s a loved one, they may want to know the details. This is why some of the examples on the list include specifics to help you navigate follow-up questions.

You need to be prepared for follow-up questions, so decide how honest you want to be. For instance, saying, “I had a one-night stand, and I’m at the hospital waiting for the results because I might have an STD,” could be rephrased into, “I have to go to the doctor’s to get some test results, I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”

However, if you say this, the person will probably have follow-up questions, so you could even say, “I’m down with a cold.”

When something is a health issue, you could make it general, and people likely won’t ask you more about it.

However, be careful with using health issues if they’re not real. If you’re feeling sick every Sunday night, the person is going to realize that the issue is not about your health at all.

“I’m going through something personal that I don’t want to talk about,” is a good excuse if it’s true. So consider staying in the “honest zone” when coming up with your excuses.

2. Choose a general excuse or a specific one.

Depending on how honest you want it to be, pick a general excuse or a specific one. “I don’t want to go out” can be rephrased into, “I just want to be by myself today, sorry for the late response, hope you have fun, and we’ll do it another time.”

A good excuse to not hang out might be: “I’ve just been under a lot of stress lately, and it’s getting to me, so I don’t feel like it. I’m sorry. Let me get back to you when I’m on my feet again.” The only question is, how honest do you want to be with this person?

A generic excuse, like the first one on the list above, will work a charm. However, they’re often like literally saying the words “generic excuse” to the person after they ask you to do something. So, if you frequently use generic excuses (especially if fake), the person is going to give up on asking you to do things. Therefore, consider being as honest as you can be and get specific with your loved ones, but rephrase if necessary.

3. Use details with loved ones.

“I don’t feel like getting out of bed and going out,” could be changed by saying, “To be honest, I’d rather just stay home and get cozy, life hasn’t been easy on me lately.” Or, “I just popped open a bag of chips, and there’s this show on Netflix… I know… Don’t hate me, but I just can’t, the bed is hugging me.”

So, consider using details and being honest with your loved ones. “I ran into my ex today and it tore me up emotionally, so I really need some alone time right now, hope you understand,” is a very good excuse if it’s a real one.

The problem with being specific without being honest about it is that you’d need to remember your lie and back it up later. There will also be follow-up questions, so it’s best to stay in the “honest zone.”

4. Stay in the “honest zone.”

You could be honest by being entirely vague by saying something like “You wouldn’t believe the day I had; I can’t bring myself to see anyone right now. Let’s talk a few days from now.”

Stay in the “honest zone” by making your problem general. Is it a personal issue, your professional life, your love life, family problems, or your social life that is standing in your way? “I’m not feeling well,” could be anything in the world if you’re having a health issue that you don’t want to talk about.

Similarly, “I’m busy with work,” is a valid excuse for wanting to rest after a hard day instead of going out with your friends.

However, don’t hesitate to share something about what’s going on with you with the person you’re talking to. You could rephrase what you need to say by carefully picking the words and actually saying the truth… Just put some thought into it if you have enough time. Pick an excuse that best fits your situation from the list, or come up with one that describes what you really want to say.

5. Make a long story short.

How much do you want to share with this person? If you use a general excuse too often, your family or friends are likely to give up on asking you to do things, so consider making a long story short.

Maybe you don’t want to tell them that you are practically destitute, but you could say, “I wish I could, but I’m currently broke, so please be patient until I get my life in order, and we’ll hang out later.”

Open up, but close the doors to further discussions by saying that you don’t want to talk about it. Turn a long story about how you got into gambling and now are in debt into a story about how you’re currently broke.

Why are you broke? “Bad luck.” You don’t have to share things that you don’t want to, just keep your excuse close to what it really is so that you can remember it, back it up, and stick to it if needed.

6. Rephrase what you need to say.

Think about your long story and how you can keep it short. Then think about how to rephrase it. Maybe you don’t want them to know that you’ll be spending the night with your ex, but you could tell them that your love life is still too much of a mess and you need to deal with that.

When they ask about the details, tell them that letting go is a process and that you need to be alone for a while. Even though you’ll be with your ex. Keep that last part to yourself, just don’t go too far away from the “honest zone,” even if it means sticking to something general instead.

7. Make it clear and end the discussion.

There are some things that people are just not going to talk about anymore when you bring them up. If you said, “I had a one-night stand, and I’m at the hospital waiting to see if I have an STD,” it would likely elicit very few follow-up questions.

Make it clear by being bold or by using a generic excuse from the list. Consider even just saying, “I’m sorry, I just really don’t want to do it right now. I’m overwhelmed with my own things; give me some time please.”

If you don’t want to be asked about it, end the discussion by making it clear that you don’t want to talk about it further. People can take a hint.

Just avoid being too honest in your professional life and with people other than your loved ones.

8. Simply be honest about it.

“I had a long day, and I really don’t feel like going anywhere,” is a good enough excuse already. Consider simply being honest about why you can’t hang out with them, and it might be enough to do the trick.

Hey, don’t forget that you just need to stay in the zone. You don’t have to be entirely honest about it. But if the person asking is your loved one, keep in mind that you most definitely can if you want to.

9. Consider a fake excuse.

On the other hand, you could simply choose a fake excuse from the list, and it will be effective as long as you stick to your story. However, it’s much better to come up with your own excuse based on the examples listed above. If you tailor it, you can be at least a bit honest about it, and that will help your loved one understand you better. As a result, they will continue to ask you to do things.

In other areas of your life, such as your job, using generic excuses is usually good enough as long as there’s truth to it and you don’t overdo it.

10. Make sure to express the wish to reschedule.

Whether you choose to be honest about it or not, if you do want to be asked again, make sure to reschedule. As soon as you use the excuse, emphasize that you do want to do something another time, it is just this specific date that doesn’t work for you. This will ensure that your friends and family ask you again.

How To Be Honest While Using Excuses

1. pick an excuse that best fits your situation..

Stay honest by picking an excuse from the list that best describes your real reasoning and tailoring it to your situation. Reveal something about the actual reason you don’t want to go instead of just using generic excuses.

2. Consider something general.

On the other hand, if you don’t want all the follow-ups and explaining, consider something general, like being sick. It’s okay to use these excuses as long as you don’t overdo it or downright lie about it entirely. Feeling blue is kind of like being sick, so don’t forget that you can just be in the “honest zone” when not wishing to share too much about what you’re going through.

3. Consider how honest and specific you want to be.

How honest and specific do you want to be? Is the person going to accept your response if you’re entirely honest with them? What if you rephrase it? While you can be as honest as you want to be, it’s not a guarantee that an honest excuse will be accepted as a good one.

So, consider what the person would accept as a valid excuse. Then you can phrase your excuse accordingly.

4. Reschedule only if you want to.

As already mentioned, if you don’t want them to give up on asking you to do things, make sure to point out that you want to reschedule. On the flip side, if you don’t want them asking you to do things, just use the generic excuse. This can even be considered being honest when it’s a repeated and obvious hint that you don’t want to hang out with that person anymore.

5. Stay honest while not getting into it.

You can be honest about the real reason you can’t make it, just make it a short story instead of a long one as we mentioned in one of the earlier steps. However, consider opening up to the person entirely if they are someone you trust and care for. It is not recommended to use fake or generic excuses with people close to you that should know the truth.

As for acquaintances and coworkers, generic excuses pretty much cover everything you would really need to say. Just be sure that you’re not making it up entirely in case you need to validate your story, and make sure that you can stick to it.

As already mentioned, “I’m going through something personal that I need to tend to immediately,” should be enough for most people. Just don’t overdo it.

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Top 10 Homework Excuses

What are the common homework excuses from kids? Many learners wonder why they get punished when they don’t do their homework, yet people believe one should not receive punishment for something they haven’t done. Therefore, most students have to come up with excuses to convince the teacher why they did not complete the assignment. Sometimes it is extreme, but one has to be safe:

Our pet ate the assignment

Most students use this to trap the mind of the teacher, who will be more concerned with the pet status than the assignment. Some will say the pet unintentionally shredded the homework immediately after they completed, yet they never attempted. Others blame it on the playful nature of their pets hence making the teacher fall for it.

Forgetting it at home

As much as it may not sound convincing, learners do use it to get out of trouble. One may not be less enthusiastic about the work and pray for the teacher not to collect the homework. When they turn up, the art of forgetfulness becomes a defensive mechanism.

A severe headache is a savior. Working on the assignment requires full brain engagement and problems; therefore, one cannot tackle it. The student will explain that despite being unwell and with undone homework, they still made it to school. Which teacher won’t believe such?

Domestic calamity

“The floods swept our house, the house caught fire and burnt the homework” are but part of the excuses. Some may be credible, but most are just for escaping the homework affair, as usual, it students avoided doing.

Power outage

It is one of the excuses that has passed from one generation to another. The fact that it coincidentally happens when one settles down to work on the assignment is what makes it funnier. One will insist on how they wanted to use other sources of light but were afraid of the effects on their sight.

Malfunctioning device

Technology being the order of the day, device breakdown is no longer an excuse as most teachers know. Telling them either the laptop died, or the file wasn’t compatible is not enough as they may request the work in soft copy, creating that awkward moment.

The fact that one survived and lost the homework never adds up. If the theft happened while heading to school, be the hero and let no one steal the homework from the briefcase.

Failure to understand the homework.

Get a good number of hard-to-pronounce words from the unit and convince the teacher of how hard it was to get the concept. Make them believe some parts were more manageable but not the homework, but with better reading, it will be a walkover.

Little time

Engaging in extracurricular activities like jogging, fishing, and volunteering is more enjoyable than doing homework; however, using it as an excuse means one has got their priorities wrong. It simply means one doesn’t take their schoolwork seriously like they do with other activities.

Having no idea homework existed.

Unless one is suffering from memory loss, this is inexcusable as it is similar to not being interested in doing it.

Schoolwork can get extremely busy, and if not planned, one may never have enough time. Procrastination may hinder one from having things done on time. Homework being part of schoolwork should be taken seriously, and if not done or unfinished, be honest with the teacher to avoid the weird excuses. But most crucial, plan your time well and complete the assignment to prevent such reasons.

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TEENS TOP TEN EXCUSES FOR NOT HAVING HOMEWORK DONE

As we approach exam season, new research has revealed that kids today have a far wider range of excuses for not handing in homework, than their parents did at the same age.

 In fact, the poll of 2,000 teens revealed the top ten modern-day excuses, regularly wheeled out, with “the dog ate it” featuring nowhere on the list.

 Tech failures take the majority of the blame, with a fifth (18 percent) choosing to pretend that their Wi-Fi was down, while more than one in ten (12 percent) have claimed their computer kept crashing – and 12 percent say they are unable to hand in work because their printer was on the blink.

Not being able to connect the laptop to the printer (seven percent), phone running out of battery (five percent) and losing the laptop charger (five percent) are also regularly wheeled out.

Two thirds (69 percent) of the secondary school students, polled by leading online tuition provider My Tutor agree that technology is the best excuse for not handing in work.

One in four (25 percent) complain their homework is simply too difficult, while nine in ten (93 percent) admit that they get easily distracted by apps such as Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube when trying to focus on studies, an average of 14 minutes at a time.

 As many as 77 percent believe that it would help their concentration if their parents took away their phone when they’re studying, with a further 15 percent already regularly asking them to take their mobile away.

 A third of kids (34 percent) think it is a good idea for mobile phone use to be banned in schools.

 Maths (68 percent), chemistry (38 percent), physics (36 percent), French (25 percent) and biology (24 percent) were cited as the toughest subjects, according to the poll.

 Florence Milner, UK Schools General Manager at MyTutor, said: “Our findings highlight not just the creative excuses today’s teens come up with, but, when we peel back the digital curtain, we see that these excuses often stem from not understanding the homework that’s been set or from battling the magnetic pull of social media.

“Parents are very aware that tailored tutor support can not only boost a student’s confidence and nudge grades upwards but also spark motivation and transform what was once a chore into a subject they truly enjoy.”

TOP TEN TECH-BASED HOMEWORK EXCUSES 

• My Wi-Fi wasn’t working – 18%
• I forgot the password to my homework app – 15%
• My computer kept crashing – 12%
• My printer wouldn’t print – 12%
• My laptop broke – 10%
• I finished my homework but deleted it by accident – 7%
• I couldn’t connect my laptop to my printer – 7%
• My phone ran out of battery so I couldn’t look it up – 5%
• I lost my laptop charger – 5%
• I lost my phone – 5%

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The top ten homework excuses: the 2019 edition

Forgetting the nation’s whole future for a moment, many of us in teaching will have snorted with derision at Theresa May’s “request for an extension” and the excuse she gave.

“Don’t blame me, my Parliament’s been malfunctioning” reminded us of the classic student excuse: “don’t blame me for my late homework, my printer’s playing up”.

If the truth be told, though, the prime minister is going have to update and upgrade her homework excuses . The printer excuse has tended to fall out of favour in recent years, given the fact that we are ready for that one and usually offer students a digital post-box alternative.

That’s not to say that the situation is any better than before. The new digital communication age has merely spawned a number of new ways to wriggle out of handing in homework, the first of which comes in at number 10 in this freshly updated official chart of most commonly used excuses.   

10. ‘I emailed it to your post-box. Didn’t you get it?’

Clever. The teacher who is poised to lay into the student is suddenly put on the back foot. Even if the teacher is completely up to date with all their latest inbox communications (which is unlikely), there is always a fair chance of things genuinely disappearing on the school’s new and supposedly upgraded “system”.  

9. ‘I was staying at my dad’s at the weekend and I left it there’

This is another canny line. A potential savaging is avoided with this gentle little reminder to the teacher that there are, perhaps, some genuinely unsettling issues going on in this young person’s home life . The teachers goes easy, just in case.  

8. ‘My mum was tidying my room and accidentally chucked it out’

Again, a wily approach. Given this pupil’s disorganised attitude to homework, the student is inviting us to imagine the likely bedroom wilderness at home. The vision of a despairing parent opting for a reckless wholesale clearance is sufficiently credible for us almost to believe it to be true.

7. ‘The dog/cat/younger sibling was sick on it’

This old chestnut is still doing the rounds. Not as clever or credible as some excuses, but many students favour this tale because of its simplicity and finality.  

6. ‘I left my book at home - forgot I had the lesson today’

Another popular option, though it does not work with teachers who have anticipated this excuse and routinely dish out a detention for leaving the book at home.  

5. ‘I didn’t understand what I had to do’

This is still in the top five excuses, despite today’s teachers rarely setting homework without first going through it carefully and checking that everyone is clear about what’s required.

4. ‘It wasn’t on Show My Homework ’

… or whichever system a school uses. As I have alluded to here before, if something is not on Show My Homework, the general view at their end is that it does not exist, not in any meaningful sense.

3. The ‘wrong book’ ploy

Where a student has two exercise books of the same colour, they earn themselves some extra time by handing in the wrong one, as if by accident.   

2. ‘I’ve sent it to myself at school/ it’s on this memory stick - can I go and print it out in a computer room?

Student then disappears for just a few more minutes than we might have expected. That’s because they are actually rapidly dashing something off in said computer room, then printing it out.

1. ‘It was in my bag but my bottle exploded’

Followed by an urgent invitation for the teacher to feel the residual dampness of the bag. The bag may be falling apart after those repeat floodings, yet somehow the phone in there always seems to have made a miraculous escape. This is their number one excuse - not because it’s the subtlest or smartest but because it involves virtually no real thought or effort to carry off. And for those who don’t like homework, that’s what it’s all about.

Stephen Petty is head of humanities at Lord Williams’s School in Thame, Oxfordshire

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The Top 10 Procrastination Excuses and How to Overcome Them

posted on June 5, 2023

Procrastination is a common problem that affects people from all walks of life.

It can be especially challenging for those who work independently or who have many competing demands on their time.

Whether you’re putting off a major project, a small task, or just something you don’t want to do, procrastination can be a real obstacle to productivity and success.

In this post, we’ll explore the top 10 procrastination excuses and provide practical tips for overcoming them.

Excuse #1: “I don’t have enough time”

One of the most common excuses for procrastination is a lack of time.

It’s easy to feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day, especially if you have many demands on your time.

But keep in mind – everyone has the same 24 hours in a day.

The key is to manage your time effectively so that you can accomplish your goals.

Here are some tips for overcoming this excuse:

• Prioritize your tasks: Make a list of everything you need to do and then prioritize it based on importance and urgency. Focus on the tasks that are most important or have the nearest deadline.
• Break tasks into smaller steps: If a task feels overwhelming, break it into smaller, more manageable steps. This can make it easier to get started and build momentum.
• Schedule your time: Use a printable planner or calendar to schedule your time and make sure you have enough time for important tasks. Try to stick to your schedule as much as possible.

Excuse #2: “I’m too tired”

Feeling tired can be a real obstacle to productivity.

When you’re exhausted, it can be hard to focus or stay motivated.

However, it’s important to remember that rest is also an important part of productivity.

• Get enough sleep: Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try creating a bedtime routine or practicing relaxation techniques.
• Take breaks: If you’re feeling tired during the day, take a break. Get up and stretch, go for a walk, or do something else that refreshes you.
• Eat well: Eating a healthy, balanced diet can also help you feel more energized.

Excuse #3: “I don’t know where to start”

Sometimes, the hardest part of a task is just getting started.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure of what to do, it’s easy to put things off.

• Break tasks into smaller steps: Again, breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can make them feel less overwhelming. Start with the first step and focus on that.
• Create a plan: Make a plan of action for the task, including a timeline and specific actions you need to take. This can help you feel more confident and prepared.
• Ask for help: If you’re really stuck, reach out to a coworker, friend, or mentor for help. Sometimes, just talking through the problem can help you find a starting point.

Excuse #4: “I’m waiting for inspiration/motivation”

Many people believe that they need to feel inspired or motivated to get things done.

But the truth is that inspiration and motivation often come after you start working , not before.

• Create a routine: Establishing a routine or habit can help you build momentum and get started more easily.
• Set deadlines: Give yourself a specific deadline for completing the task. This can help you stay focused and motivated.
• Find external sources of accountability: Tell someone else about your goal or task and ask them to hold you accountable. This could be a friend, coworker, or even a coach or mentor.

Excuse #5: “I’m afraid of failure”

Fear of failure can be a major barrier to productivity and success.

It’s easy to put things off when you’re worried about not doing them perfectly or making mistakes.

• Practice self-compassion: Remember that everyone makes mistakes and experiences failure at some point. Be kind to yourself and remember that failure is a learning opportunity.
• Set realistic expectations: Don’t expect yourself to be perfect or to get everything right on the first try. Set realistic expectations and focus on progress, not perfection.
• Break tasks into smaller steps: Breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can help you feel less overwhelmed and reduce your fear of failure.

Excuse #6: “I’m easily distracted”

Distractions can be a major source of procrastination.

Whether it’s social media, email, or just the lure of a more enjoyable task, distractions can make it hard to stay focused.

• Minimize distractions: Identify the things that distract you the most and do what you can to minimize them. This might mean turning off your phone or email notifications or using an app that blocks distracting websites.
• Set boundaries: If you’re easily distracted by other people, set clear boundaries and communicate them. Let your coworkers or family know when you need uninterrupted time to work.
• Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation can help you build your focus and concentration muscles, making it easier to stay on task.

Excuse #7: “I’m not in the right mood”

Similar to waiting for inspiration or motivation, some people believe that they need to be in a certain mood to be productive.

Your mood is often influenced by your actions, not the other way around.

• Change your environment: Sometimes, a change of scenery can help you get into a different mood. If you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated, try working in a different location or changing up your workspace.
• Use positive affirmations: Repeat positive affirmations to yourself , such as “I am capable and competent” or “I am motivated and focused.”
• Take action: Sometimes, the best way to change your mood is to take action. Start working on the task, even if you don’t feel like it. You may find that your mood shifts once you get started.

Excuse #8: “I work better under pressure”

Many people believe that they work better under pressure , so they put things off until the last minute.

This can be a risky strategy, as it can lead to increased stress and decreased quality of work.

• Set your own deadlines: Instead of waiting until the last minute, set your own deadlines that are earlier than the actual deadline. This can help you avoid the stress of last-minute work and give you time to review and revise your work.
• Break tasks into smaller steps: Again, breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can help you avoid the need to work under pressure.
• Consider the consequences: Think about the consequences of waiting until the last minute. Will it lead to more stress or lower-quality work? Will it affect your reputation or relationships with others?

Excuse #9: “I’m too busy”

Feeling overwhelmed with tasks and responsibilities can be a major barrier to productivity.

However, it’s important to remember that being busy is not the same as being productive.

• Prioritize your tasks: Make a list of everything you need to do and then prioritize it based on importance and urgency.
• Say no: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it may be time to say no to some commitments or delegate tasks to others.
• Schedule downtime: Make sure to schedule time for rest and relaxation. Taking breaks can actually help you be more productive in the long run.

Excuse #10: “It’s boring”

Another common excuse for procrastination is the feeling that a task is just too boring or uninteresting to be worth doing.

When we’re not engaged or interested in a task, it can be hard to muster up the motivation to get started.

• Find a way to make it interesting: Look for ways to make the task more engaging or meaningful. Maybe there’s a way to connect the task to something you’re passionate about, or to challenge yourself to approach it in a new and creative way.
• Break it down: Sometimes a task feels boring because it’s just too big or overwhelming. Try breaking it down into smaller, more manageable pieces that feel more achievable. Celebrate small successes along the way to stay motivated.
• Think about the benefits: Even if a task doesn’t seem exciting, there are usually benefits to completing it. Think about how it will help you reach a larger goal, or the satisfaction you’ll feel when it’s done.
• Change your mindset: Instead of thinking of the task as boring, try to reframe it as a challenge or an opportunity to learn something new. Approach it with a growth mindset, and focus on the skills or knowledge you’ll gain from completing it.

Procrastination is a common problem , but it’s not insurmountable.

By identifying the excuses that are holding you back and taking action to overcome them, you can become more productive and successful.

Remember, it’s not about being perfect or never procrastinating again.

It’s about making progress and continuously improving.

With these tips, you can start taking control of your procrastination habits and achieving your goals.

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