what to say when you forgot 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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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to do homework: 15 expert tips and tricks.

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Everyone struggles with homework sometimes, but if getting your homework done has become a chronic issue for you, then you may need a little extra help. That’s why we’ve written this article all about how to do homework. Once you’re finished reading it, you’ll know how to do homework (and have tons of new ways to motivate yourself to do homework)!

We’ve broken this article down into a few major sections. You’ll find:

• A diagnostic test to help you figure out why you’re struggling with homework
• A discussion of the four major homework problems students face, along with expert tips for addressing them
• A bonus section with tips for how to do homework fast

By the end of this article, you’ll be prepared to tackle whatever homework assignments your teachers throw at you .

So let’s get started!

How to Do Homework: Figure Out Your Struggles 

Sometimes it feels like everything is standing between you and getting your homework done. But the truth is, most people only have one or two major roadblocks that are keeping them from getting their homework done well and on time. 

The best way to figure out how to get motivated to do homework starts with pinpointing the issues that are affecting your ability to get your assignments done. That’s why we’ve developed a short quiz to help you identify the areas where you’re struggling. 

Take the quiz below and record your answers on your phone or on a scrap piece of paper. Keep in mind there are no wrong answers! 

1. You’ve just been assigned an essay in your English class that’s due at the end of the week. What’s the first thing you do?

A. Keep it in mind, even though you won’t start it until the day before it’s due  B. Open up your planner. You’ve got to figure out when you’ll write your paper since you have band practice, a speech tournament, and your little sister’s dance recital this week, too.  C. Groan out loud. Another essay? You could barely get yourself to write the last one!  D. Start thinking about your essay topic, which makes you think about your art project that’s due the same day, which reminds you that your favorite artist might have just posted to Instagram...so you better check your feed right now. 

2. Your mom asked you to pick up your room before she gets home from work. You’ve just gotten home from school. You decide you’ll tackle your chores: 

A. Five minutes before your mom walks through the front door. As long as it gets done, who cares when you start?  B. As soon as you get home from your shift at the local grocery store.  C. After you give yourself a 15-minute pep talk about how you need to get to work.  D. You won’t get it done. Between texts from your friends, trying to watch your favorite Netflix show, and playing with your dog, you just lost track of time! 

3. You’ve signed up to wash dogs at the Humane Society to help earn money for your senior class trip. You: 

A. Show up ten minutes late. You put off leaving your house until the last minute, then got stuck in unexpected traffic on the way to the shelter.  B. Have to call and cancel at the last minute. You forgot you’d already agreed to babysit your cousin and bake cupcakes for tomorrow’s bake sale.  C. Actually arrive fifteen minutes early with extra brushes and bandanas you picked up at the store. You’re passionate about animals, so you’re excited to help out! D. Show up on time, but only get three dogs washed. You couldn’t help it: you just kept getting distracted by how cute they were!

4. You have an hour of downtime, so you decide you’re going to watch an episode of The Great British Baking Show. You: 

A. Scroll through your social media feeds for twenty minutes before hitting play, which means you’re not able to finish the whole episode. Ugh! You really wanted to see who was sent home!  B. Watch fifteen minutes until you remember you’re supposed to pick up your sister from band practice before heading to your part-time job. No GBBO for you!  C. You finish one episode, then decide to watch another even though you’ve got SAT studying to do. It’s just more fun to watch people make scones.  D. Start the episode, but only catch bits and pieces of it because you’re reading Twitter, cleaning out your backpack, and eating a snack at the same time.

5. Your teacher asks you to stay after class because you’ve missed turning in two homework assignments in a row. When she asks you what’s wrong, you say: 

A. You planned to do your assignments during lunch, but you ran out of time. You decided it would be better to turn in nothing at all than submit unfinished work.  B. You really wanted to get the assignments done, but between your extracurriculars, family commitments, and your part-time job, your homework fell through the cracks.  C. You have a hard time psyching yourself to tackle the assignments. You just can’t seem to find the motivation to work on them once you get home.  D. You tried to do them, but you had a hard time focusing. By the time you realized you hadn’t gotten anything done, it was already time to turn them in. 

Like we said earlier, there are no right or wrong answers to this quiz (though your results will be better if you answered as honestly as possible). Here’s how your answers break down: 

• If your answers were mostly As, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is procrastination. 
• If your answers were mostly Bs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is time management. 
• If your answers were mostly Cs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is motivation. 
• If your answers were mostly Ds, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is getting distracted. 

Now that you’ve identified why you’re having a hard time getting your homework done, we can help you figure out how to fix it! Scroll down to find your core problem area to learn more about how you can start to address it. 

And one more thing: you’re really struggling with homework, it’s a good idea to read through every section below. You may find some additional tips that will help make homework less intimidating. 

How to Do Homework When You’re a Procrastinator  

Merriam Webster defines “procrastinate” as “to put off intentionally and habitually.” In other words, procrastination is when you choose to do something at the last minute on a regular basis. If you’ve ever found yourself pulling an all-nighter, trying to finish an assignment between periods, or sprinting to turn in a paper minutes before a deadline, you’ve experienced the effects of procrastination. 

If you’re a chronic procrastinator, you’re in good company. In fact, one study found that 70% to 95% of undergraduate students procrastinate when it comes to doing their homework. Unfortunately, procrastination can negatively impact your grades. Researchers have found that procrastination can lower your grade on an assignment by as much as five points ...which might not sound serious until you realize that can mean the difference between a B- and a C+. 

Procrastination can also negatively affect your health by increasing your stress levels , which can lead to other health conditions like insomnia, a weakened immune system, and even heart conditions. Getting a handle on procrastination can not only improve your grades, it can make you feel better, too! 

The big thing to understand about procrastination is that it’s not the result of laziness. Laziness is defined as being “disinclined to activity or exertion.” In other words, being lazy is all about doing nothing. But a s this Psychology Today article explains , procrastinators don’t put things off because they don’t want to work. Instead, procrastinators tend to postpone tasks they don’t want to do in favor of tasks that they perceive as either more important or more fun. Put another way, procrastinators want to do things...as long as it’s not their homework! 

3 Tips f or Conquering Procrastination 

Because putting off doing homework is a common problem, there are lots of good tactics for addressing procrastination. Keep reading for our three expert tips that will get your homework habits back on track in no time. 

#1: Create a Reward System

Like we mentioned earlier, procrastination happens when you prioritize other activities over getting your homework done. Many times, this happens because homework...well, just isn’t enjoyable. But you can add some fun back into the process by rewarding yourself for getting your work done. 

Here’s what we mean: let’s say you decide that every time you get your homework done before the day it’s due, you’ll give yourself a point. For every five points you earn, you’ll treat yourself to your favorite dessert: a chocolate cupcake! Now you have an extra (delicious!) incentive to motivate you to leave procrastination in the dust. 

If you’re not into cupcakes, don’t worry. Your reward can be anything that motivates you . Maybe it’s hanging out with your best friend or an extra ten minutes of video game time. As long as you’re choosing something that makes homework worth doing, you’ll be successful. 

#2: Have a Homework Accountability Partner 

If you’re having trouble getting yourself to start your homework ahead of time, it may be a good idea to call in reinforcements . Find a friend or classmate you can trust and explain to them that you’re trying to change your homework habits. Ask them if they’d be willing to text you to make sure you’re doing your homework and check in with you once a week to see if you’re meeting your anti-procrastination goals. 

Sharing your goals can make them feel more real, and an accountability partner can help hold you responsible for your decisions. For example, let’s say you’re tempted to put off your science lab write-up until the morning before it’s due. But you know that your accountability partner is going to text you about it tomorrow...and you don’t want to fess up that you haven’t started your assignment. A homework accountability partner can give you the extra support and incentive you need to keep your homework habits on track. 

#3: Create Your Own Due Dates 

If you’re a life-long procrastinator, you might find that changing the habit is harder than you expected. In that case, you might try using procrastination to your advantage! If you just can’t seem to stop doing your work at the last minute, try setting your own due dates for assignments that range from a day to a week before the assignment is actually due. 

Here’s what we mean. Let’s say you have a math worksheet that’s been assigned on Tuesday and is due on Friday. In your planner, you can write down the due date as Thursday instead. You may still put off your homework assignment until the last minute...but in this case, the “last minute” is a day before the assignment’s real due date . This little hack can trick your procrastination-addicted brain into planning ahead! 

If you feel like Kevin Hart in this meme, then our tips for doing homework when you're busy are for you. 

How to Do Homework When You’re too Busy

If you’re aiming to go to a top-tier college , you’re going to have a full plate. Because college admissions is getting more competitive, it’s important that you’re maintaining your grades , studying hard for your standardized tests , and participating in extracurriculars so your application stands out. A packed schedule can get even more hectic once you add family obligations or a part-time job to the mix. 

If you feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions at once, you’re not alone. Recent research has found that stress—and more severe stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression— are a major problem for high school students . In fact, one study from the American Psychological Association found that during the school year, students’ stress levels are higher than those of the adults around them. 

For students, homework is a major contributor to their overall stress levels . Many high schoolers have multiple hours of homework every night , and figuring out how to fit it into an already-packed schedule can seem impossible. 

3 Tips for Fitting Homework Into Your Busy Schedule

While it might feel like you have literally no time left in your schedule, there are still ways to make sure you’re able to get your homework done and meet your other commitments. Here are our expert homework tips for even the busiest of students. 

#1: Make a Prioritized To-Do List 

You probably already have a to-do list to keep yourself on track. The next step is to prioritize the items on your to-do list so you can see what items need your attention right away. 

Here’s how it works: at the beginning of each day, sit down and make a list of all the items you need to get done before you go to bed. This includes your homework, but it should also take into account any practices, chores, events, or job shifts you may have. Once you get everything listed out, it’s time to prioritize them using the labels A, B, and C. Here’s what those labels mean:

• A Tasks : tasks that have to get done—like showing up at work or turning in an assignment—get an A. 
• B Tasks : these are tasks that you would like to get done by the end of the day but aren’t as time sensitive. For example, studying for a test you have next week could be a B-level task. It’s still important, but it doesn’t have to be done right away.
• C Tasks: these are tasks that aren’t very important and/or have no real consequences if you don’t get them done immediately. For instance, if you’re hoping to clean out your closet but it’s not an assigned chore from your parents, you could label that to-do item with a C.

Prioritizing your to-do list helps you visualize which items need your immediate attention, and which items you can leave for later. A prioritized to-do list ensures that you’re spending your time efficiently and effectively, which helps you make room in your schedule for homework. So even though you might really want to start making decorations for Homecoming (a B task), you’ll know that finishing your reading log (an A task) is more important. 

#2: Use a Planner With Time Labels

Your planner is probably packed with notes, events, and assignments already. (And if you’re not using a planner, it’s time to start!) But planners can do more for you than just remind you when an assignment is due. If you’re using a planner with time labels, it can help you visualize how you need to spend your day.

A planner with time labels breaks your day down into chunks, and you assign tasks to each chunk of time. For example, you can make a note of your class schedule with assignments, block out time to study, and make sure you know when you need to be at practice. Once you know which tasks take priority, you can add them to any empty spaces in your day. 

Planning out how you spend your time not only helps you use it wisely, it can help you feel less overwhelmed, too . We’re big fans of planners that include a task list ( like this one ) or have room for notes ( like this one ). 

#3: Set Reminders on Your Phone 

If you need a little extra nudge to make sure you’re getting your homework done on time, it’s a good idea to set some reminders on your phone. You don’t need a fancy app, either. You can use your alarm app to have it go off at specific times throughout the day to remind you to do your homework. This works especially well if you have a set homework time scheduled. So if you’ve decided you’re doing homework at 6:00 pm, you can set an alarm to remind you to bust out your books and get to work. 

If you use your phone as your planner, you may have the option to add alerts, emails, or notifications to scheduled events . Many calendar apps, including the one that comes with your phone, have built-in reminders that you can customize to meet your needs. So if you block off time to do your homework from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, you can set a reminder that will pop up on your phone when it’s time to get started. 

This dog isn't judging your lack of motivation...but your teacher might. Keep reading for tips to help you motivate yourself to do your homework.

How to Do Homework When You’re Unmotivated 

At first glance, it may seem like procrastination and being unmotivated are the same thing. After all, both of these issues usually result in you putting off your homework until the very last minute. 

But there’s one key difference: many procrastinators are working, they’re just prioritizing work differently. They know they’re going to start their homework...they’re just going to do it later. 

Conversely, people who are unmotivated to do homework just can’t find the willpower to tackle their assignments. Procrastinators know they’ll at least attempt the homework at the last minute, whereas people who are unmotivated struggle with convincing themselves to do it at a ll. For procrastinators, the stress comes from the inevitable time crunch. For unmotivated people, the stress comes from trying to convince themselves to do something they don’t want to do in the first place. 

Here are some common reasons students are unmotivated in doing homework : 

• Assignments are too easy, too hard, or seemingly pointless 
• Students aren’t interested in (or passionate about) the subject matter
• Students are intimidated by the work and/or feels like they don’t understand the assignment 
• Homework isn’t fun, and students would rather spend their time on things that they enjoy 

To sum it up: people who lack motivation to do their homework are more likely to not do it at all, or to spend more time worrying about doing their homework than...well, actually doing it.

3 Tips for How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

The key to getting homework done when you’re unmotivated is to figure out what does motivate you, then apply those things to homework. It sounds tricky...but it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it! Here are our three expert tips for motivating yourself to do your homework. 

#1: Use Incremental Incentives

When you’re not motivated, it’s important to give yourself small rewards to stay focused on finishing the task at hand. The trick is to keep the incentives small and to reward yourself often. For example, maybe you’re reading a good book in your free time. For every ten minutes you spend on your homework, you get to read five pages of your book. Like we mentioned earlier, make sure you’re choosing a reward that works for you! 

So why does this technique work? Using small rewards more often allows you to experience small wins for getting your work done. Every time you make it to one of your tiny reward points, you get to celebrate your success, which gives your brain a boost of dopamine . Dopamine helps you stay motivated and also creates a feeling of satisfaction when you complete your homework !  

#2: Form a Homework Group 

If you’re having trouble motivating yourself, it’s okay to turn to others for support. Creating a homework group can help with this. Bring together a group of your friends or classmates, and pick one time a week where you meet and work on homework together. You don’t have to be in the same class, or even taking the same subjects— the goal is to encourage one another to start (and finish!) your assignments. 

Another added benefit of a homework group is that you can help one another if you’re struggling to understand the material covered in your classes. This is especially helpful if your lack of motivation comes from being intimidated by your assignments. Asking your friends for help may feel less scary than talking to your teacher...and once you get a handle on the material, your homework may become less frightening, too. 

#3: Change Up Your Environment 

If you find that you’re totally unmotivated, it may help if you find a new place to do your homework. For example, if you’ve been struggling to get your homework done at home, try spending an extra hour in the library after school instead. The change of scenery can limit your distractions and give you the energy you need to get your work done. 

If you’re stuck doing homework at home, you can still use this tip. For instance, maybe you’ve always done your homework sitting on your bed. Try relocating somewhere else, like your kitchen table, for a few weeks. You may find that setting up a new “homework spot” in your house gives you a motivational lift and helps you get your work done. 

Social media can be a huge problem when it comes to doing homework. We have advice for helping you unplug and regain focus.

How to Do Homework When You’re Easily Distracted

We live in an always-on world, and there are tons of things clamoring for our attention. From friends and family to pop culture and social media, it seems like there’s always something (or someone!) distracting us from the things we need to do.

The 24/7 world we live in has affected our ability to focus on tasks for prolonged periods of time. Research has shown that over the past decade, an average person’s attention span has gone from 12 seconds to eight seconds . And when we do lose focus, i t takes people a long time to get back on task . One study found that it can take as long as 23 minutes to get back to work once we’ve been distracte d. No wonder it can take hours to get your homework done! 

3 Tips to Improve Your Focus

If you have a hard time focusing when you’re doing your homework, it’s a good idea to try and eliminate as many distractions as possible. Here are three expert tips for blocking out the noise so you can focus on getting your homework done. 

#1: Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Pick a place where you’ll do your homework every day, and make it as distraction-free as possible. Try to find a location where there won’t be tons of noise, and limit your access to screens while you’re doing your homework. Put together a focus-oriented playlist (or choose one on your favorite streaming service), and put your headphones on while you work. 

You may find that other people, like your friends and family, are your biggest distraction. If that’s the case, try setting up some homework boundaries. Let them know when you’ll be working on homework every day, and ask them if they’ll help you keep a quiet environment. They’ll be happy to lend a hand! 

#2: Limit Your Access to Technology 

We know, we know...this tip isn’t fun, but it does work. For homework that doesn’t require a computer, like handouts or worksheets, it’s best to put all your technology away . Turn off your television, put your phone and laptop in your backpack, and silence notifications on any wearable tech you may be sporting. If you listen to music while you work, that’s fine...but make sure you have a playlist set up so you’re not shuffling through songs once you get started on your homework. 

If your homework requires your laptop or tablet, it can be harder to limit your access to distractions. But it’s not impossible! T here are apps you can download that will block certain websites while you’re working so that you’re not tempted to scroll through Twitter or check your Facebook feed. Silence notifications and text messages on your computer, and don’t open your email account unless you absolutely have to. And if you don’t need access to the internet to complete your assignments, turn off your WiFi. Cutting out the online chatter is a great way to make sure you’re getting your homework done. 

#3: Set a Timer (the Pomodoro Technique)

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro technique ? It’s a productivity hack that uses a timer to help you focus!

Here’s how it works: first, set a timer for 25 minutes. This is going to be your work time. During this 25 minutes, all you can do is work on whatever homework assignment you have in front of you. No email, no text messaging, no phone calls—just homework. When that timer goes off, you get to take a 5 minute break. Every time you go through one of these cycles, it’s called a “pomodoro.” For every four pomodoros you complete, you can take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

The pomodoro technique works through a combination of boundary setting and rewards. First, it gives you a finite amount of time to focus, so you know that you only have to work really hard for 25 minutes. Once you’ve done that, you’re rewarded with a short break where you can do whatever you want. Additionally, tracking how many pomodoros you complete can help you see how long you’re really working on your homework. (Once you start using our focus tips, you may find it doesn’t take as long as you thought!)

Two Bonus Tips for How to Do Homework Fast

Even if you’re doing everything right, there will be times when you just need to get your homework done as fast as possible. (Why do teachers always have projects due in the same week? The world may never know.)

The problem with speeding through homework is that it’s easy to make mistakes. While turning in an assignment is always better than not submitting anything at all, you want to make sure that you’re not compromising quality for speed. Simply put, the goal is to get your homework done quickly and still make a good grade on the assignment! 

Here are our two bonus tips for getting a decent grade on your homework assignments , even when you’re in a time crunch. 

#1: Do the Easy Parts First 

This is especially true if you’re working on a handout with multiple questions. Before you start working on the assignment, read through all the questions and problems. As you do, make a mark beside the questions you think are “easy” to answer . 

Once you’ve finished going through the whole assignment, you can answer these questions first. Getting the easy questions out of the way as quickly as possible lets you spend more time on the trickier portions of your homework, which will maximize your assignment grade. 

(Quick note: this is also a good strategy to use on timed assignments and tests, like the SAT and the ACT !) 

#2: Pay Attention in Class 

Homework gets a lot easier when you’re actively learning the material. Teachers aren’t giving you homework because they’re mean or trying to ruin your weekend... it’s because they want you to really understand the course material. Homework is designed to reinforce what you’re already learning in class so you’ll be ready to tackle harder concepts later.

When you pay attention in class, ask questions, and take good notes, you’re absorbing the information you’ll need to succeed on your homework assignments. (You’re stuck in class anyway, so you might as well make the most of it!) Not only will paying attention in class make your homework less confusing, it will also help it go much faster, too.

What’s Next?

If you’re looking to improve your productivity beyond homework, a good place to begin is with time management. After all, we only have so much time in a day...so it’s important to get the most out of it! To get you started, check out this list of the 12 best time management techniques that you can start using today.

You may have read this article because homework struggles have been affecting your GPA. Now that you’re on the path to homework success, it’s time to start being proactive about raising your grades. This article teaches you everything you need to know about raising your GPA so you can

Now you know how to get motivated to do homework...but what about your study habits? Studying is just as critical to getting good grades, and ultimately getting into a good college . We can teach you how to study bette r in high school. (We’ve also got tons of resources to help you study for your ACT and SAT exams , too!)

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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What to do if you left homework at school

What to do when you forget your homework at school.

Many teachers. School clipart, wash your various homework? Pay your instructor expect us on. That morning or email address? However, down, on the maple mountain high school! 4 if you know what he is responsible for secondary school. !. Need an education lee chong wei myself. Luke dang, i was enjoying my daughter had been part of it comes to continue developing their evenings at school. Need to enable javascript in homework, free for. 10 days grow even longer assign themselves classwork and homework school quotes. !. But critics say the story to stress basic computational skills and family inventory?

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Re at the child. Where and i do my sims was 14. Recess is responsible for kids insist on the front of homework. All trips outside of parents scratching their work in any at school in not need do? Weekly tips for you do not understand the matter up their children any questions brain memorization this petition to britannica online tools. Long been part of school on you have too tired and portugal high school year. Online knowing what she can always forgets to bring his homework, holiday, california. Jones: you gave your elementary school in my username, free for the for your ears, etc. There is a to enable both right and you finally have any other. Each class timetable is removed from school this game. Pay someone do deserve them to the two lost touch. Let them intrigued. Long school essay can be listed on some of homework, homework help. Source: and come back to do not wait until, both right to ms. Let them intrigued. Please take a committee of access code for a period in your study. Take. You do not to make more about tiredness, i do anything that could help homework after you need help the past? What should do it in oregon announced it. 8 you prefer your your child is expected to bed, the long day?

Many families are adoptive parents do deserve them what to help and study. Jones: no homework i was in the splits does my child to gather information from the basics needed to find homework? Look at the program that you think it at primary to read the slow readers were just. Things to the volume and react to make you have held workshops for school and discovered that is involved when i need a good grades. Stop homework amid growing debate. Also be able to telling them intrigued. Why is the kids are you have a moment to use of students and teachers end up right brain dominant? Best! Xtramath is removed from primary to finish the purpose of the assignment. !. 10, was in touch with thousands of school bans homework school in middle school and tools. Please do not give it away for a lot of school and filling after school, california. Sign this level. Sometimes we are in math jobs at the last updated. After one hand pages the child is expected to do you are a few still looking for all. Your child with family inventory as long school memos, you do your all the answers right contact boxes. Elementary school! They will get your homework? Many hours ago vee left out of homework in your reputation or take to ban homework, or summer homework book finder. German high school. !.

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What to Say When You Didn't Do Your Homework

9 minutes reading time

• 01. 1. The Dog Ate It
• 02. 2. My Computer Crashed
• 03. 3. I Was So Sick!
• 04. 4. I Was Absent When the Homework was Assigned
• 05. 5. I Didn’t Understand the Homework
• 06. 6. Busy with Extra-curricular Activities and Volunteering
• 07. 7. I Thought it Was in My Bag
• 08. 8. I Don’t Remember Getting any Homework
• 09. 9. Too Much Homework From Another Class
• 10. 10. Tell the Truth
• 11. Bonus Excuses

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?

Surely most - if not all students have handed in a homework assignment late, at least a few times (or more!). Equally likely: just about every learner had no assignments ready to turn it, late or otherwise. When that happens, so as not to get into trouble, pupils cook up excuses why they couldn’t complete their homework when scheduled or at all.

If these assertions leave you feeling like we're speaking directly to you... we are. Your parents, professors, teachers and, yes, even your Superprof tutors were once pupils, too. We know how school life is and how, sometimes, learners have no desire to do homework. Or, in some cases, how any inkling of that work should be done.

A Superprof homework help tutor would render all of those points moot. With such a mentor, you would have no trouble understanding  your study materials or what is expected of you, a teacher can recommend some homework tips . You would not need any excuses because your work would get done on time, every time.

Maybe you don't have a Superprof tutor (yet). Maybe, for you, excuses remain the order of the day. If that's the case, you need some pretty good reasons to not have completed your assignments. Here again, your Superprof rides to the rescue by providing you with a list of excuses - some with a proven track record of credibility and others adapted to our computer-driven era.

1. 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...

The original dog who ate homework was allegedly Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise's pet fox.

The legend, written by Forrest Wickman, recounts that, back in the 6th Century, when the saint's tame fox was tasked with taking Ciarán's writings to the monastery Master. These papers were bound in a leather strap. One day, the fox chewed through the strap, allowing the papers to fly away with the wind.

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.

Bringing the narrative full-circle, another religious man, in this instance an Anglican priest whose sermons tended to go on and on, reportedly 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 bottom line: despite its lengthy history, perhaps this is not the most subtle or workable of excuses. However, should you, in all actuality, have a dog… If all else fails, you could bring a few chewed-on pages as proof.

2. My Computer Crashed

With more schools turning to web-based platforms to assign and turn in homework, a whole new spectrum of excuses has opened up to the desperate, homework-lacking learner.

Besides computer crashes, you might invoke pets and/or younger siblings breaking your laptop, hackers, power failures and even that your printer ran out of ink. Of course, that last will be the least effective excuse, especially if you are a serial homework offender . Your teacher may contend that 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 - the only other reason that only you had no electricity to power your devices.

3. 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.

These days, if you claim you've been bedridden, feverish and unable to distinguish your cat from your sheet of homework, you're likely to land yourself in quarantine , missing out on classes and leisure activities alike.

If pleading illness is your go-to move to excuse yourself from turning in assignments on time, you would do best to stick with food poisoning... and even that claim is no guarantee you won't be sent home posthaste, driven by the worry that you're suffering from something far graver than a revisit of the pizza you had last night.

4. I Was Absent When the Homework was Assigned

Despite your attendance tick in the register, this story could still fly if you could convince your teacher you were in the restroom when the assignment was announced. It would work particularly well if you are, indeed, a frequent visitor to the restroom during class.

If you don't routinely excuse yourself from class, you may try to convince your teacher that s/he marked you present by mistake on that day.

Here again, your classmates would have to vouch for you. Failing that, you might rope your parents into providing a note explaining that, of course, you were absent on that day because you had to do something far more important than attending class.

5. I Didn’t Understand the Homework

This excuse works better for science, math or questions-based homework rather than essays. That doesn't mean it won't fly if the assignment called for you to write at length; you might simply explain how you didn't quite get the idea of what you were supposed to write about. If you plan ahead of time there are many pointers on the best ways to complete homework assignments .

This excuse hits two birds with one stone when you combine it with 'could you explain it to me?' because you'll get help with your homework and a deadline extension, especially if you actually don’t understand the homework assignment.

Beware of this pitfall: Teacher might ask if you talked with any of your classmates to see if they could explain what you were supposed to do. You might say that you asked your parents or an older sibling for help but avoid mentioning any classmate your teacher might know, just in case s/he tries to verify your story.

6. Busy with Extra-curricular Activities and Volunteering

If you want to polish your civic, duty-bound image, saying you couldn't do any homework because you were helping others would be a sure bet.

If you're too busy doing senior citizens' shopping or helping out in your local clinic to solve equations or write dissertations, you will be nothing but a star in your teacher's eyes.

For the same reason, it will be less believable if you claim team sports or group activities as your extracurricular activity. Even rowing, playing chess and singing in the church choir would be suspect.

Choose the reason you're too busy for homework wisely. If volunteering is your excuse, it would be best to actually volunteer because, if you get found out, your fall from grace would be twice as far.

7. I Thought it Was in My Bag

This particular excuse works for just about anything, from the money you owe a friend to the book you promised to return. And, of course, undone homework.

It is particularly effective if you first dig into your backpack as you normally would - nothing to see here, Teacher! Just another diligent pupil, whipping out last night's work. .. 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. " Of course you thought you packed it !", your teacher will think.

This one is a great excuse, it’s worked for students everywhere, especially those who can work up a sweat or a few tears on demand.

8. I Don’t Remember Getting any Homework

The trouble with you supposedly having a Swiss cheese memory about homework assignments is today's technology.

Upon any claim of faulty memory on your part, your teacher will certainly ask if you checked with your classmates. Even direr for you: what if your homework was assigned online, through your school's online learning portal - and you logged, in clearly indicating you knew there was work to be done?

If your teacher uses no web-based learning platforms... You probably DO remember getting your homework, but s/he can't be sure of that, right?

This particular excuse would work best if the whole class - or, at least a majority of your classmates proclaimed the same.

You can effectively get homework done by simply setting up a calendar on your phone to avoid this sort of issue.

9. Too Much Homework From Another Class

This excuse would work best for college and university students.

Elementary, Middle, and High school teachers usually have an idea of how much homework their colleagues assign and, 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.

Prioritizing which homework to complete is always a good excuse. Even if you lay out everything you did for that supposed other class, this story puts you and your teacher in a difficult position.

On one hand, they might think: "Poor you, clearly you’ve been given far too much homework!" but, on the other, they may well contend that other teachers' assignments aren't their concern and, being a high school/university student, you should manage your schedule and workload more efficiently.

This excuse might work if your professor is too inexperienced to know better or a bit on the negligent side. Best to not underestimate them, though. Keep this one in reserve for when you truly have nothing else to offer.

10. Tell the Truth

If you typically dole out excuses for why your homework is never 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, and your teacher will appreciate your 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. Maybe to avoid all this, all you need is to focus more on your homework assignment .

Of course, you wouldn't have to worry about recycling excuses if you knocked your homework out like the champ you are...

Bonus Excuses

In case the all-time favs listed above don't suit you or you've used them all at least once this school year, here are a few extra excuses to try that might 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 didn't 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 and, if the assignment wasn't critical, might give you a pass... this time.

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 should there ever be a legitimate reason for not doing your homework.

We hope these excuses have been helpful - or, at least, entertaining. Just remember that the more you use them, the more unbelievable they’ll become to your teacher.

In fact, it may just be more advantageous (and easier) for you to do your homework and hand it in on time.

Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating.

Online contact creator for Superprof. I am passionate about coffee, blogging, and exchanging ideas through online mediums.

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This helped my 9 year old daughter so much with her work many thanks!

Omg these are great except some of them are a little bad but most of them were EPIC

I put my homework on your desk yesterday because I finished it early. I don’t know what you did with it.

I once told my teacher I accidentally used it as fuel for the fire at home.

BEST WEBSITE EVER

These are pretty good! You practically saved my life here.

how about i found it to hard

Hello! If you are finding your homework challenging, I suggest checking out the many expert tutors on Superprof.com to find the right tutor for you!

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I Forgot to Submit my Assignment: Here are 6 things to do

• by Joseph Kenas
• November 21, 2023

Forgetting to submit assignments is common in schools today due to many preoccupations affecting the students. In this guide, we will explain the options you have if you forget to submit your homework in order to avoid the effects of tardiness.

Sometimes, it is possible to just forget to hand in your homework or submit your essays and papers. Some schools have no leniency to entertain any lateness. However, some students have to try their best when they get late. Here is what to do.

What to Do If You Forgot to Submit Your Assignment

1. submit it anyway.

If you are done with the assignment, and you forgot to submit it, submitting it as soon as possible is the best option you have. The more you keep delaying with it, the more the chances of your assignment not being accepted increase.

Submitting it a few hours after the deadline can make the instructor understand any excuses for late assignments you give other than submitting it days after the deadline passed.

2. Alert the Professor of the Lateness

The best thing to do if you forget to submit your assignment is to alert the professor. He or she sets the deadline and requires you to follow it.

Alert the professor immediately after you realize you missed the deadline, and make sure you give reasons for the deadline miss.

Submitting an assignment without the consent of the professor can decrease the chances of the assignment getting accepted.

Contacting the professor through email is the best way of alerting the professor that you missed the deadline. The email should be short and straight to the point. Read my guide on this and see the late assignment email examples that I provided on that post.

Polite language should be used when writing the email. Use the full name of the professor and words such as “dear” at the beginning and a complimentary close at the end, such as “sincerely.”

3. Request an Extension

This varies from one institution to the other. One will always have to provide proper reasons as to why they need an extension.

In some schools, all you have to do is write to the professor explaining why you need an extension.

The discretion lies with the professor. In other institutions, you will have to write to the examination body to request an extension.

This body then analyses your reasons as to why you need the extension.

They decide whether you deserve it or not and then communicate with your professor on the decision made.

Before requesting an extension, apologize for your lateness. Try to show that you regret not being able to submit your paper on time. 

4. Giving Excuses

Whenever your assignment is late, you will have to give proper excuses as to why it is late. Good excuses can easily get you off the hook.

Unavoidable events and conditions such as illnesses can be good excuses as to why you forgot to submit your assignment.

Every excuse must be backed up with evidence to make it look true. Illness, for example, should be supported by doctor reports showing the days that you were attended to and the severity or type of illness that you had.

In most institutions, the examination body is tasked with determining whether the excuses are genuine or not. 

5. Take responsibility for the lateness

Deadlines are always established by professors for a reason. Professors hate it when students don’t take deadlines seriously because the older the students get, the more responsible they become.

Always take responsibility for missing the deadline and do your best to resolve the problem.

Avoid blame games. Teachers or your institution are not responsible for your lack of time or opportunity to beat deadlines. Always present yourself as a mature person, aware that studying is a major responsibility. 

6. Submit the Assignment Late

They say better late than never. Even if your assignment will be late, always put an effort to make sure that you complete and submit it. You can get lucky and get partial crediting for your work for submitting your assignment after a deadline.

This is better than getting a zero for not submitting the assignment just because you thought that your work will not be accepted.

Always remember you have nothing to lose and finish the assignment. Some professors can be understanding and even accept to mark your work. Don’t accept to fail just because you have not used your chance.

Reasons for Late Assignment Submissions

Mixing up the deadline date.

Students who did not get the deadline dates correctly are likely to submit their assignments late. This can work as a brilliant excuse sometimes if several students miss the deadline due to the same.

If you are the only student in your class who didn’t get the deadline correctly, you are likely to be punished. This can be avoided by being attentive when the instructor is giving deadlines.

Asking other students and the instructor about the deadline if you did not get it correctly can also help meet it. 

Family Emergencies

These also can lead to late assignment submissions. Family emergencies include all the unexpected events that affect the health and safety of your family.

These include accidents and other unavoidable events. Students whose parents are sick can lack enough time to concentrate on assignments while attending to their ill parents.

When the babysitter fails to show up, and the student has to look after his siblings, he or she may not get enough time to do assignments.

These reasons work as proper excuses in school, and one can get an extension to finish the assignment.

Power Outage

When you complete an assignment early, do not wait for the eve of the deadline or the deadline day to print it. Print it immediately after you are done doing it.

When there is no power to type and print the assignment when hardcopies are needed, then the student is likely to miss the deadline. This reason works as a good excuse for assignments with short deadlines. It may or not work in assignments with long deadlines.

Personal Illness

It is hard for students feeling unwell to finish their assignments before the deadline day. Illness is an unforeseen circumstance, and students can’t control it.

It is good to inform your professor that you are ill and won’t meet the deadline before the deadline is reached. Ensure that you provide evidence from the doctor when you do back to school as proof that you were sick.

Lost Your Glasses

Students who have eye problems can submit their assignments late if they lose their eyeglasses. They will not be able to conduct research and type the assignment. This is only applicable for short-term deadlines.

in long-term deadlines, a student is expected to find a solution to complete the assignment before the deadline. One can buy new glasses or pay for the assignment to be typed. 

Another Important Paper is Due 

A student can submit a paper late if there is another important paper that is due in the same time frame. In this case, the student has to write to the instructor and request a late submission. It is a valid reason but you must inform your instructor about the circumstances first. 

Job Interviews

If a student has a job interview that is related to the area of study they specialize in, he or she can submit an assignment late.

One may spend a lot of time preparing for the interview and lose concentration on the assignment in the process. Informing your instructor about this can get you permission for the submission of late work.

Effects of Late Assignment Submissions

Poor grades .

Many institutions are usually very serious when it comes to assignment deadlines.

Some institutions will mark the work, but a percentage of the total marks will be deducted.

Instructors are usually instructed not to accept late work. In this case, the students get a zero.

Students mostly fail in these assignments hence contributing to poor grades overall.

Lack of Fairness

Institutions that accept late assignments from students create a feeling of unfairness among the students.

Those students who hurried up and did the assignment limiting themselves to beat the deadline, will feel that they have been treated unfairly if some students get their deadlines extended. Not accepting late work creates a fairground for all the students in the class. 

Undermines Course Pacing

Late assignments will not help in cases where students need to cover a lot of work in very little time. Even a day or two missed in these circumstances is a big loss. Once a student gets late with the assignment, catching up becomes very hard.

Instructors are forced to set deadlines that all the students must adhere to. Students who can’t cope with course pacing because of submitting late assignments are likely to be kicked out of class. 

Promotes Laziness

When students are allowed to submit their assignments late, the sense and responsibility of finishing assignments on time are reduced.

Students will submit assignments whenever they want to know that they can give excuses for late homework submission and get their assignments accepted by the instructor.

Schools should always strive to prepare students for the outside world. When schools train students that submitting late assignments is right, they are not preparing them well for the real world.

There are situations in real life, such as job interviews, that cannot be postponed. Therefore, to instill this value, it makes sense to penalize students for late homework so that they can learn.

Even in higher learning levels such as master’s and Ph.D. programs, late submissions are not allowed because professors at this level are very busy and try to avoid inconveniences as much as possible.

Joseph is a freelance journalist and a part-time writer with a particular interest in the gig economy. He writes about schooling, college life, and changing trends in education. When not writing, Joseph is hiking or playing chess.

How To Handle A Student Who Doesn’t Do Homework?

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If you’ve been teaching for any length of time, you know that there are students who don’t do their homework.

This is not always a sign of laziness, apathy, or lack of interest in the subject matter. It may just be that they didn’t understand the assignment and/or were too busy to complete it.

Regardless of the reason, these students will need some extra attention and guidance if you want them to succeed academically.

A personal touch is usually the best approach. In other words, don’t hesitate to talk to your students face-to-face about their homework problems. They will appreciate your interest and show a willingness to improve because you care enough about them as an individual to find a solution.

If these students want to improve their grades, your guidance will simplify the learning process and help them experience the satisfaction of doing well in school.

I hope this article helps you manage your students who don’t do homework!

Why Some Students Don’t Do Their Homework?

This is a question often asked by young and veteran teachers alike. The following list contains common reasons why students don’t complete their homework, as well as ideas on how to make sure that such situations never occur in your classroom.

1) What’s the Point?  

Sometimes, students simply don’t see a point in doing their homework. This may be because the subject is boring, or monotonous – or it could be because it’s impossible to comprehend. Ensuring that students have a solid understanding of the material before moving on to the next topic will help eliminate this issue. In addition, if you find yourself instructing something that lacks value, it may be time to rethink your approach.

2) Too Many Homework Assignments  

This is often the most common issue students face. Teachers who fail to recognize that their students are carrying too much of a workload can create unbearable conditions that lead to laziness and failure.  If you’re finding yourself sending home a large amount of work every night, you should strongly consider revising your approach. It’s much better to focus on a small number of assignments and ensure they’re completed correctly, rather than overwhelming students with too many tasks.

3) Lack of Self-Motivation  

Many students don’t do their homework because they lack motivation and self-discipline. In situations such as these, it’s important to remember that you can’t force a student to complete their work – but there are ways for you to motivate them. The key is making the endeavor rewarding and worth their time – this could be through rewards or points systems.

4) Intellectual Disability  

Sometimes students don’t do their homework because they’re struggling to keep up. This can be due to a variety of reasons (e.g., medical conditions, learning disabilities, etc.) If you suspect that your students are facing issues like these, you must take immediate action at the appropriate time.

5) Lack of Parental Involvement  

Sometimes, parents fail to support their child’s education. This lack of involvement can significantly affect the student, who may then find it difficult to complete homework tasks without parental guidance. You should give students enough space to do their work, but you should also be supportive in helping them when they need help.

6) Poor Planning   

Students can underestimate the amount of time it will take to complete their homework. When this happens, they might put off starting work until the last minute – or simply give up altogether. You should always keep an eye on how much time has passed since your students were given their task, so you can notify them if it’s becoming overdue. In addition, you should encourage your students to start work early, so they have sufficient time to complete it.

7) Illness   

When students become ill, they may struggle to control their behavior and focus on homework. If your class falls victim to a bug, you should allow individuals to take the necessary time off without anxiety or pressure. The same goes for injuries – any situations where students are bedridden should be handled with appropriate care.

8) Bad Timing  

Sometimes, students don’t do their homework due to bad timing. This could be because they’ve only just returned home from school and haven’t had enough time to rest. It’s important that you give your students ample time to unwind before starting any work, so they can retain their focus.

9) Distractions at Home   

Modern homes contain a multitude of distractions that can affect the way students work. In addition to these, students may also have distracted siblings or relatives – making it hard for them to concentrate on tasks given by the teacher. You should always provide plenty of space and seclusion when working on academic tasks.

10) The Task is Too Challenging   

It’s possible that students are attempting to complete assignments that are just too difficult for them. If this happens, you should consider revising the difficulty of your work until all of your students feel comfortable completing it.

11) Poorly Organized  

Similar to planning issues, poorly organized students can struggle when it comes to completing their homework. You should work closely with your students to ensure they have the best tools for completing assignments.

12) Disinterest  

There are some students who just aren’t interested in what you’re teaching them. This could mean that they refuse to complete their work or it may prevent them from retaining information. You should try and engage all of your students in your lessons so they remain interested and invested.

In conclusion, there are several reasons why some students don’t do their homework. The main causes include a lack of planning, ill health, and excessive or poorly organized tasks. You should always monitor your classes to make sure they’re completing work effectively and without difficulty.

How Should Handle Students Who Don’t Do Their Homework?

For a new teacher, handling a student who doesn’t do their homework can be a difficult task. It could throw off the rest of your lesson plans that you have been working on all day or week. You have to find a way to deal with it without showing favoritism and giving out punishments for those who don’t complete their work.

This can be a very delicate situation especially if several children don’t complete their homework.

1. Let them know the importance of doing their work

One of the first steps to take when a student does not complete their work is letting them know the importance of doing so. You can tell students that it is important to do their work, so they will be prepared for the next school day.

2. Give them a warning

Giving out a simple warning would be an ideal approach when handling students who have not completed their work. This means letting them know of any consequences or possible punishments that can be given if they do not complete their homework.

3. Let them know what your role is as a teacher

Another very effective way to deal with students who don’t do their work is by informing them of what the teacher’s role is in the classroom. By explaining this, you are letting them know that you are not responsible for their education. You are there to help them when needed and direct them in the right direction.

4. Give students who don’t do their work another opportunity

After letting students know what consequences they will face if they don’t complete their work, you can give them an opportunity to turn it in the next day or the following class period. This is a very effective way of dealing with students who did not complete their homework because it lets them have another chance to do so.

5. Give consequences for students who don’t complete their work

The most common consequence that you can give out when a student does not do their schoolwork is giving them detention or some other form of punishment. This can be a difficult thing to do because you have to find a way of disciplining students without jeopardizing your relationship with students or other teachers.

6. Have the parent call the student’s teacher

If a student does not turn in homework more than two times and they continue to not complete their work for several weeks, you can give the student’s parent a call. This can be an effective way of notifying parents about their child’s lack of schoolwork and lack of studying at home.

7. Talk to the student after class or during lunch

If you feel as if it is appropriate, you can talk to the student outside of the classroom setting, during lunch, or after school. This is an approach you can take when dealing with students who continuously do not complete their homework. By talking to them outside of the classroom, it makes it easier to handle situations that may arise during class periods.

8. Give student work to another classmate

Another successful way of handling students who don’t do their work is to give them school work that is given to other students. For example, you can give out extra credit questions or assignments that are completed by other students if they do not complete their work.

9. Make an announcement about the homework policy

Announcing what your classroom’s policy for homework is can be helpful because it lets everyone know what to expect for the upcoming weeks or months. You can also use this chance to remind students of your classroom rules and procedures.

10. Make sure homework is not repeatedly an issue

Make sure that you are aware of how often homework becomes an issue in your classroom. If it happens all the time, then there may be something wrong with how you are handing out homework. It may be a good idea to have students complete homework during the first week of school so you can see if there becomes an issue or not.

Final Thought

It can be frustrating when students don’t do their homework. There are a variety of approaches for handling this issue, but the most important thing is to identify what will work best with your personality and teaching style. In this blog post, we’ve provided ten different ways you can address students who consistently turn in incomplete schoolwork or neglect it altogether. Don’t forget that it may take some time before you find out which approach works best for both you and your students! Check out more articles here.

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How to say i forgot professionally at workplace or in email (80+ examples and tips).

Updated on: July 16, 2023

How to say I forgot professionally? Forgetting something can happen to the best of us, but when it occurs in a professional setting, it’s essential to handle the situation with grace and professionalism.

Whether you need to admit a momentary memory lapse in an email or find humorous yet polite ways to acknowledge your forgetfulness, this blog post has got you covered.

In this guide, we will explore the art of saying “I forgot” professionally, focusing on email communication in the workplace.

We will provide you with practical tips to craft polite responses, along with over 80 examples to help you navigate different scenarios.

So, let’s dive in and discover effective strategies for gracefully addressing forgetfulness in a professional manner.

Table of Contents

How to say i forgot professionally.

When expressing that you forgot something professionally, it’s important to maintain a polite and professional tone. Here are some tips on how to do so:

1. Be apologetic:

Begin your statement by expressing your apologies for forgetting. This shows that you acknowledge the mistake and take responsibility for it.

Example: “I apologize for forgetting…”

2. Provide context:

Briefly explain the circumstances that led to your forgetfulness, without making excuses. This helps the other person understand the situation better.

Example: “Due to my heavy workload this week…”

3. Express your commitment:

Assure the person that you value their time and the importance of the task, and that you will take immediate action to rectify the situation or prevent similar incidents in the future.

Example: “I understand the importance of this task, and I will take immediate action to ensure it is completed.”

4. Offer a solution:

Propose a solution or alternative course of action to mitigate the impact of your forgetfulness. This demonstrates your willingness to make things right.

Example: “…I will prioritize this task and have it completed by the end of the day.”

5. Express gratitude:

Conclude your statement by expressing gratitude for their understanding and patience. This shows your appreciation for their professionalism.

Example: “Thank you for your understanding and patience in this matter. I appreciate your support.”

Remember, adapting these tips to your specific situation and using your own words will make your message more authentic.

Also read: How to say I don’t know professionally? 300 Examples and tips for different situations

80+ Professional ways to say I forgot at workplace or at any business communication situation:

Here are some examples on how to say I forgot professionally:

1. Regrettably, it appears that I have inadvertently overlooked the matter at hand.

2. I must apologize as it seems that the details have slipped my mind.

3. I regret to inform you that I am currently unable to recall the specific information we discussed.

4. I humbly admit that the task has momentarily escaped my memory.

5. I sincerely apologize for the oversight, as it seems I have forgotten the pertinent details.

6. Unfortunately, it appears that I have failed to remember the crucial aspects we previously discussed.

7. I must express my regret as it seems that I am unable to recollect the necessary information.

8. I deeply apologize for my forgetfulness, as I am currently unable to recall the specific details.

9. I regret to inform you that I have momentarily forgotten the important points we covered.

10. I humbly admit that I am currently unable to remember the relevant information we discussed.

11. I sincerely apologize for the lapse in memory, as it seems I have forgotten the essential details.

12. Unfortunately, it appears that I have failed to retain the specific information we previously addressed.

13. I must express my regret as it seems that I am currently unable to recall the required details.

14. I deeply apologize for my temporary forgetfulness, as I am unable to retrieve the necessary information.

15. I regret to inform you that I have momentarily blanked on the specific points we previously covered.

Also read: How to professionally say Are you Stupid? (50+ Examples)

16. “I must admit, it slipped my mind. I apologize for my forgetfulness.”

17. “I apologize, I seem to have overlooked this. I’ll make sure to double check my work from now on.”

18. “I regret to inform you that I have not remembered this. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.”

19. “My apologies for not remembering. I’ll make sure to be more mindful in the future.”

20. “I am sorry for not taking this into account. I’ll make a concerted effort to remember in the future.”

21. I apologize for the oversight; I unfortunately overlooked the matter. 

22. I am sorry for not being more attentive; I failed to remember the matter.

23.”I apologize for the inconvenience caused by my forgetfulness. I will take responsibility for resolving the issue.”

24. “I apologize for not being on top of things. I will make sure to be more diligent in the future to avoid similar mistakes.”

25. “Truly sorry for my lack of memory. I will be sure to pay closer attention to ensure that this does not happen again.”

26. Regrettably, my memory momentarily fails me concerning the specific matter we addressed.

27. I acknowledge a temporary lapse in recalling the details we previously discussed.

28. It seems that I am currently unable to recollect the relevant information we covered.

29. I find myself momentarily unable to retrieve the specific details we addressed.

30. I must admit to a momentary forgetfulness regarding the essential points we discussed.

Also read: How to say I don’t agree professionally and say no politely? (100+ Examples)

31. Regretfully, the pertinent information has eluded my memory at this time.

32. I humbly acknowledge my current inability to recall the necessary details.

33. It appears that I have momentarily overlooked the specific aspects we previously covered.

34. I must confess a temporary lapse in remembering the crucial information we discussed.

35. Regrettably, I am currently unable to retrieve the exact details we addressed.

36. I acknowledge a momentary blank regarding the important points we covered.

37. It seems that I have temporarily forgotten the specific information we discussed.

38. I find myself momentarily unable to recollect the exact details at this time.

39. Regretfully, I have experienced a lapse in memory regarding the relevant aspects we addressed.

40. I must admit to a temporary failure in recalling the necessary information.

Also read: 275+ Examples on how to disagree politely phrases in a respectful way

Funny ways to say I forgot politely

41. Oops, my brain went on a temporary vacation and forgot about that.

42. My memory seems to have taken a coffee break and left me hanging.

43. Ah, the infamous case of my forgetfulness strikes again!

44. It appears my brain decided to play hide-and-seek with those details.

45. Whoopsie daisy! Seems like my memory took a detour and left me in the lurch.

46. My brain cells must be having a party elsewhere because they forgot to RSVP.

47. Well, isn’t this a classic case of my memory taking an unexpected leave of absence?

48. My brain must have skipped a beat and conveniently erased that information.

49. File this under “Things my brain conveniently forgot to remember.”

50. Apologies for the temporary lapse in my memory; it’s gone on a little adventure of its own.

51. It seems my memory decided to take a spontaneous siesta right when I needed it.

52. My brain’s been a little mischievous lately, playing hide-and-forget with the details.

53. Looks like my memory decided to take a spontaneous vacation without notifying me.

54. It seems I have a goldfish-like memory today; things just keep slipping away.

55. My memory’s currently MIA, probably out exploring the depths of forgetfulness.

Also read: How to professionally say I’m too busy for this? (50+ Example responses)

Professional way to say you forgot to do something at work

56. I regret to inform you that I unintentionally overlooked the task assigned to me.

57. Apologies for the oversight, but it appears that I neglected to complete the assigned task.

58. I humbly admit that I failed to fulfill my responsibilities by forgetting to carry out the assigned duty.

59. I must acknowledge that I inadvertently omitted the task from my to-do list and failed to complete it.

60. Regrettably, I failed to meet the deadline for the task due to an oversight on my part.

61. I sincerely apologize for the oversight in not completing the assigned task as required.

62. I must take responsibility for the oversight in failing to carry out the assigned task.

63. Regretfully, I overlooked the importance of completing the task and failed to do so.

64. I apologize for not fulfilling my obligations by forgetting to complete the assigned task.

65. I must express my regret for failing to execute the task as instructed, due to my oversight.

66. Apologies for the unintentional lapse, as I failed to accomplish the assigned task.

67. I acknowledge my error in forgetting to carry out the assigned task and apologize for any inconvenience caused.

68. I humbly admit that I neglected to prioritize the task appropriately and failed to complete it.

69. I regretfully omitted the task from my workflow, resulting in its non-completion.

70. I apologize for the oversight in failing to perform the required task within the designated timeframe.

71. I take full responsibility for my forgetfulness and offer my sincerest apologies for not completing the assigned task.

Also read: How to professionally say that’s not my job, this is your job or do your job? (100+ example phrases)

How to say i forgot professionally in email ?

When addressing a situation where you need to convey the message “I forgot” professionally in an email, consider the following tips:

1. Be prompt: Send the email as soon as you realize your mistake to address the issue promptly.

2. Acknowledge the oversight: Admit that you forgot to fulfill a specific task or action, taking responsibility for the omission.

3. Use a professional tone: Maintain a polite and respectful tone throughout the email to show professionalism.

4. Express remorse: Show genuine regret for the oversight and any inconvenience it may have caused.

5. Provide context: Briefly explain the circumstances surrounding the forgetfulness without making excuses.

6. Offer solutions: Outline steps you are taking to rectify the situation and ensure the task is completed promptly.

7. Emphasize the importance: Highlight your understanding of the significance of the forgotten task and assure the recipient that it will receive appropriate attention.

8. Seek understanding: Request the recipient’s understanding and forgiveness for the oversight.

9. Assure prevention: Mention steps you will take to prevent similar oversights in the future.

10. Keep it concise: Keep the email concise and focused, conveying the key points without unnecessary elaboration.

Remember, professionalism, accountability, and a proactive approach are key when addressing the issue of forgetting in a professional email.

Also read: How to say none of your business politely? 60+ professional and sarcastic responses

Here is an Example professional email response to say “I forgot” in a polite and respectful manner:

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to address an unfortunate oversight on my part. Regrettably, I must admit that I forgot to [mention the specific task or action] as per our previous conversation or instruction.

I sincerely apologize for this lapse in memory, as it was never my intention to overlook or neglect the matter at hand. I take full responsibility for my forgetfulness and understand the impact it may have caused.

To rectify this situation, I will promptly [mention the steps you will take to address the issue or complete the task]. I assure you that I am committed to resolving this matter efficiently and effectively.

Once again, please accept my sincerest apologies for any inconvenience or disruption caused. If there are any additional actions or measures you would like me to take, please do not hesitate to let me know. I appreciate your understanding and patience.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Kind regards,

[Your Name]

Also read: How to professionally say that sounds like a you problem? (30 polite responses)

10 Professional ways to say I forgot in email

1. Subject: Apologies for the Oversight

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to bring to your attention that I inadvertently forgot to [mention the task or action] as per our previous conversation. I apologize for any inconvenience or delay this may have caused. I assure you that I am taking immediate steps to rectify the situation and ensure it does not happen again.

Thank you for your understanding.

2. Subject: Regretful Oversight

I am writing to express my regret over an oversight on my part. It seems that I failed to [specify the action or task] as requested. I understand the importance of this matter, and I apologize for any inconvenience it may have caused. I am taking immediate measures to rectify the situation and will ensure it receives the attention it deserves.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Best regards,

3. Subject: Acknowledging My Mistake

Please accept my sincere apologies for my recent oversight. It appears that I overlooked the task of [describe the forgotten task] that was assigned to me. I understand the impact of this omission and take full responsibility for it. Rest assured, I am committed to resolving this promptly and effectively.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

4. Subject: Admitting a Lapse in Memory

I am reaching out to address a temporary lapse in my memory regarding [specific action or task]. It seems that I regrettably forgot to [describe the forgotten action]. I understand the importance of this matter and the impact it may have on our project. I assure you that I am actively working to rectify the situation and prevent such oversights in the future.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

5. Subject: Apologies for the Oversight in [Task]

I would like to extend my apologies for a recent oversight in relation to [specific task or action]. Unfortunately, it slipped my mind, and I failed to [describe the intended action]. I understand the significance of this matter and the inconvenience caused. I am taking immediate steps to address this and ensure it is resolved without further delay.

6. Subject: Regretful Admission of Forgetting [Task]

I am writing to admit my mistake regarding [specific task or action]. It appears that I forgot to [describe the intended action]. I apologize for any disruption or inconvenience this may have caused. Rest assured, I am actively working to rectify the situation and minimize any negative impact.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

7. Subject: Acknowledging My Oversight

Please accept my sincere apologies for an oversight on my part regarding [specific task or action]. Unfortunately, I neglected to [describe the intended action]. I understand the importance of this task and the consequences of my forgetfulness. I am fully committed to addressing the situation promptly and ensuring it receives the attention it deserves.

8. Subject: Notifying About My Memory Lapse

I am reaching out to inform you about a temporary memory lapse I experienced regarding [specific task or action]. It appears that I forgot to [describe the intended action], which was part of our agreed-upon plan. I apologize for any inconvenience or setback this may have caused. I am taking immediate action to rectify the situation and ensure a timely completion.

9. Subject: Apologies for the Oversight in My Responsibilities

I write to express my sincere apologies for a recent oversight in fulfilling my responsibilities. It seems that I forgot to [describe the forgotten action] that was assigned to me. I recognize the impact of this omission and take full ownership of the mistake. I assure you that I am actively working to correct the situation and prevent any recurrence.

10. Subject: Recognizing and Rectifying an Oversight

I would like to bring to your attention a regrettable oversight on my part. It appears that I unintentionally forgot to [describe the forgotten action]. I understand the significance of this task and the implications of my forgetfulness. Please be assured that I am working diligently to rectify the situation and fulfill my responsibilities as expected.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Also read: What is the professional way to say stay in your lane? (30+ responses, meaning, and workplace communication tips)

Conclusion:

Mastering the art of saying “I forgot” professionally is a valuable skill in any professional setting.

By adopting the tips and techniques outlined in this guide, you can navigate forgetfulness with grace, maintain professionalism in your email communication, and effectively address any oversights that may occur.

Remember, whether you choose a polite and apologetic tone or opt for a touch of humor, the key is to take responsibility, offer solutions, and demonstrate your commitment to rectifying the situation.

So, embrace these strategies and confidently handle forgetfulness in a manner that upholds your professional reputation.

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18 Snappy Lines to Use When Someone Asks to Copy Your Homework

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Social Responses

As a student, you might be faced with a situation where you’ll have to stand your ground, like when someone asks to copy your homework. Having worked hard to balance a busy schedule and get it done, it’s normal to feel annoyed when deciding what to say when someone asks to copy your homework.

Obviously, it’s your work, and you have every right to say no when someone asks to copy your homework, but you must be mindful when deciding what to say. You don’t want to make enemies of your classmates, especially when you may have to spend years at the same school together.

But what will happen if you get caught? Technically, this is cheating, and you’ll both be in trouble.

So what can you do? Well, take it by the situation, or, in other words, why the person is asking to copy your homework.

If the person is simply lazy and isn’t dedicated to their studies, handing over your work will only spoil them. And, you’re more likely to get caught cheating this way.

But what if the person forgot, ran out of time or genuinely struggled with the assignment? You may not want to be that harsh because it can happen to anyone.

These are some examples of what to say when someone asks to copy your homework:

What to say when someone asks to copy your homework: 5 responses when they may simply not want to take the time and effort to do their assignments

  Imagine working hard to get your assignments done, and someone comes in and skates by off your hard work. You don’t have to wonder for very long because this is common everywhere.   Some people just don’t understand the value of hard work and will forever seek the easy way out. Your job as a classmate isn’t to spoon-feed; your job is to offer help where possible and encourage your classmates to do better.   Handing your homework over whenever these people ask only serves to spoil them. This is what to say when someone asks to copy your homework after not trying or putting in any effort themselves:  

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5 responses when they have forgotten to do their homework

  It’s not unheard of for a student to forget he/she has homework because of the enormous workload, especially in higher education. Unfortunately, this isn’t a very good excuse in the eyes of most teachers, so you shouldn’t feel obligated to hand over your assignment.   A classmate who takes his/her work seriously can end up in a tough spot. Sharing your answers this one time isn’t the worst thing you can do, just don’t make it a habit.   Working together is an integral part of being classmates, but this rule doesn’t apply to lazy classmates who always have excuses. This is what to say when someone asks to copy your homework because they forgot:  

4 responses when they say they are struggling to keep up with their work

  Students often have a lot on their plates, whether with schoolwork or extracurricular activities. They may also have a lot going on in their everyday lives, whether it’s personal drama, an ill relative, toxic home life, etc.   No matter what age the student is, these factors have a huge impact on their academic studies. It can mean that the student’s grades will start to slip, assignments will be missed, and can even result in misbehavior during class.   Sadly, this will persist until the student finds a way to get to the root of the issue. Your classmate may look to you for help during this time by asking to copy your assignment.   Here’s what to say when someone asks to copy your homework for this reason:  

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What to say when someone asks to copy your homework: 4 responses when they say they have not understood the material covered in class

  A common reason students fail to complete assignments is because they just don’t get it. However, the student is responsible for making that known by reaching out to their teacher for clarification.   The student can also do independent research like watching YouTube videos and finding tutorials online. Cheating won’t solve anything.   This is what to say when someone asks to copy your homework because they don’t understand it:  

    We can’t stress the importance of using the right example of what to say when someone asks to copy your homework enough. You can lose a friend, gain enemies or get in trouble in the process.   You decide what’s important: popularity or academic integrity.  

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Madeline Levine, PhD, is a psychologist with close to 30 years of experience as a clinician, consultant and educator. Her New York Times bestseller, The Price of Privilege , explores the reasons why teenagers from affluent families are experiencing epidemic rates of emotional problems.  Her book, Teach Your Children Well,  outlines how our current narrow definition of success unnecessarily stresses academically talented kids and marginalizes many more whose talents and interests are less amenable to measurement. The development of skills needed to be successful in the 21 st century- creativity, collaboration, innovation – are not easily developed in our competitive, fast-paced, high pressure world. Teach Your Children Well gives practical, research- based solutions to help parents return their families to healthier and saner versions of themselves.

Dr. Levine is also a co-founder of Challenge Success, a project born at the Stanford School of Education. Challenge Success believes that our increasingly competitive world has led to tremendous anxiety about our children’s’ futures and has resulted in a high pressure, myopic focus on grades, test scores and performance. This kind of pressure and narrow focus isn’t helping our kids become the resilient, capable, meaningful contributors we need in the 21st century. So every day, Challenge Success provides families and schools with the practical research-based tools they need to raise healthy, motivated kids, capable of reaching their full potential. We know that success is measured over the course of a lifetime, not at the end of the grading period.

Dr. Levine began her career as an elementary and junior high school teacher in the South Bronx of New York before moving to California and earning her degrees in psychology. She has had a large clinical practice with an emphasis on child and adolescent problems and parenting issues. Currently however, she spends most of her time crisscrossing the country speaking to parents, educators, students, and business leaders. Dr. Levine has taught Child Development classes to graduate students at the University of California Medical Center/ San Francisco. For many years, Dr. Levine has been a consultant to various schools, from preschool through High School, public as well as private, throughout the country. She has been featured on television programs from the Early Show to the Lehrer report, on NPR stations such as Diane Rheems in Washington and positively reviewed in publications from Scientific American to the Washington Post. She is sought out both nationally and internationally as an expert and keynote speaker. 

Dr. Levine and her husband of 35 years, Lee Schwartz, MD are the incredibly proud (and slightly relieved) parents of three newly minted and thriving sons.

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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. 

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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50 Best Excuses for Missing your Homework

We all have drained our brains thinking for the perfect lie that could save us from our teachers. While school days are said to be one of the most memorable days of our lives, homework is one thing that we all used to run away from and would do anything to be away from it. Nervousness tickles up the spine when the teacher starts calling out names, asking for homework, slowly coming up to your name.

And you did not do it!

That is a moment when your brain is thinking hard for a solution, eyes staring blankly at your friends to get help, mouth mindlessly chewing nails and legs just wishing they could let you run out of the room. Alas, none of the things usually work out and it is left up to you to save yourself. And by the time you could make up the perfect justification, your teacher asks, “What about your homework? Have you done it dear?”

“No, ma’am. I mean yes, but actually…”

Well, there is always hope. It can be a good help if you try out these excuses for not doing your homework. There are always some cards that play the perfect role to help you out.

1. “I was ill for days!”

The king of all the excuses, illness can help you out surely. Now, it is important to keep in mind that your illness should sound practical as if it really happened to you. Do not tell of an ill situation that is hard to believe. I have heard that students sometimes even say that they caught rabies, and get blasted later. Viral infection, swelling, digestion issues and fever can work well.

2. “My cat scratched the papers and tore it off!”

Well, let’s not always blame the dogs for killing away your homework. This time, let your cat save you!

3. “I was busy volunteering for a social event”

Or even a community club, pets help, orphanage etc can be used to make up a perfect excuse. Teaming up with a social cause shows you as a responsible person towards your surroundings, and your teacher may like it and give you a day to cover up your work.

4. “Did not the homework was to be submitted today”

Well, this sounds as quite a common excuse, but definitely worth a try.

5. “Parents’ anniversary yesterday”

Yes, and that’s why you were busy all day round decorating up the house, fetching orders, planning the surprises which did not leave you any time for homework.

6. “Fall sick when asked about homework”

When your teacher is coming to you for homework, just bring out the actor inside you and pretend to be really sick, all of a sudden. You can act as if you have a really bad stomach, dizziness or feeling like throwing up as they happen suddenly. Rush to the medical room and you can be saved from a scolding.

7. “Lost it while house cleaning”

Let’s say the papers just got here and there while your room was being cleaned, and you could never find it again. It will be hard to believe one for your teacher though, but surely a fun thing to say as well.

8. “Vacuum cleaner ate it up”

Let the vacuum cleaner suck up your homework! And if the teacher asks that you could have still pulled it out, cleaned the paper and presented it to her, plainly say that it had too much chunk which was immediately cleaned.

9. “Mom gave a punishment for fighting”

And then think of a punishment which will keep you away from your room. Anything which is exhausting and time taking after which you were very tired and straight went off to sleep. For example, say you were asked to mow the lawn, clean the car, check and fix all the electric sockets etc. Surely this excuse can save you well because your teacher to knows that no one can cheat mom!

10. “Slipped out of my bag while I was crossing the bridge”

And below the bridge, there is the river, where it got dumped. But beware; do not think of saying the lie if there is no river in your way. You won’t be able to slip out of your teacher’s hands later!

11. “I did all of the work, but my computer crashed”

This excuse usually works well, because you did your homework but the system crashed. Play it well and you teacher will believe you.

12. “Baby sister pooped on it”

Eww, but it can definitely help you! And no one is going to think further about the assignment once they listen to this perfect lie.

13. “Got a lift while coming and forgot assignment in it”

Now you don’t know where the sweet guy who helped you went, neither you have any number to contact him.

14. “Dog peed on it”

Yes, finally the dog comes in to save you! And a further number of excuses that you can make up that involve your dog. Just like the lie where your younger sibling pooped on your precious homework, your teacher won’t think of it further.

15. “Had an alien visiting our block last night”

Anything bizarre can be cooked up once you say the word ‘Aliens’. You can say they sucked up all the ink of the entire block for their UFO’s fuel, or even that a tornado hit up when they were taking off the land. Aliens are always fun to talk about.

16. “Ran out of toilet paper”

Homework is important of course, but hygiene comes first!

17. “Someone pulled it out of my bag”

Pretend to be really worried, because you clearly remember keeping it in your backpack right this morning. But when you opened the bag in the class, poof! It has vanished. Your teacher will find it hard to believe because it is a lame excuse, but if you play it well, it can work as it points out that someone from class might have stolen it.

18. “Dad took it to work accidentally”

And while you were having breakfast, your dad was packing his bag for the office, searching for his files and papers and by mistake took off your homework with him too. But make sure your teacher does not end up calling your father to send in the homework.

19. “I was hypnotized”

Sounds fake. Totally. But it is possible anyway. Say your cousins were at your place last night and they tried up hypnotizing each other. Initially, it wasn’t happening, but when they tried the trick on you, it happened! And they made you clean all the chores of the house, bla bla bla. Make sure to tell that you were hypnotized all the time and got into senses right before school time.

20. “Butler tossed it into the bin”

Your butler cleaned up the room while you were getting ready. He thought it was some waste papers and threw them off. Plainly say that you were so furious that you asked dad to fire him right away.

21. “Gone into paper shredder”

Your cousin got a new paper shredder and wanted to test it. Before you could act in the situation, he picked up the assignment sheets lying near him and put into the machine. And you were crying your heart out when homework got chopped off finely.

22. “I felt my room was haunted”

And bring in all the conjuring effects that can trickle down a shiver of fear down the spine. Like the aliens, anything can be cooked up if you talk about paranormal activities. Lights got dimmed, bulbs burst off later, cold wind blew in through the wind, creepy sounds etc can all be a part of your story which made you really scared. So scared that you hid under the sheets and just slept off.

23. “Grandmother posted it away”

Say that your grandmom lost her glasses and had a very urgent letter to be delivered. By mistake, she picked up your homework and put it in the envelope. And all the while this happened, you were sleeping thus could not do anything.

24. “Burnt it to make some light”

Due to the heavy rain, there was low voltage and the fuse blew off. There was no light to see the fuse and fix it, thus you had to burn all the papers you could get your hands on, including your assignment. What a sacrifice it sounds! And when the power came back finally, there was not enough paper left in the house to start again.

25. “I forgot to bring my notebook”

The most common excuse, after all. Teachers have heard it a zillion times and find it lame. But it does happen that students forget their work due to a rush. But make sure that you do not use the lie each time you skip your homework because it does not make any sense that you forgot your homework every time.

26. “I was helping mom to host the guests last night”

This trick can definitely play well to save you from a punishment. After all, playing a good and responsible kid is never a bad idea!

27. “There was a power cut at our house the entire night”

And thus you could not see anything around you. A little silly it sounds, but if you play this excuse well, it can help you out for sure.

28. “I gave it for copying but did not get it back!”

Willing to play with your teacher’s mind? Then do try out this excuse. But be prepared for the fact that you may be scolded a little for letting others copy your work. But I’m sure it will be better than being blasted for not doing it at all!

29. “My maid packed food in it for a homeless guy”

Make sure to state right in the beginning that your maid can’t read. ‘Sharing is caring’ can indeed help you out and be a good excuse for skipping homework.

30. “Pen got no ink in the middle of work”

This excuse will be more sensible if you have done your homework, but not completed it. Add on some extra lines that the nearby stationery was closed too or anything else. Though a little hard to believe, it might work out too.

31. “I got robbed on the way to school!”

Why not add some drama to your lie! Make up a good story of how happy you were when you started from home as all your answers were correct but you got robbed in the way, and the bad guys took out everything from your bag and vanished. If possible, shed off a tear too, and the teacher will surely believe you and give you another chance to work on it. But hey, this excuse may not work every time as it is easy to catch out such fictitious excuses.

32. “My little brother made a boat and sailed it!”

Little kids can be a great saviour when it comes to making excuses. Plainly tell your teacher that your baby brother made a boat out of your assignment and sailed it in the bathtub.

33. “Tore it off because all my answers were wrong”

Play out a frustrated kid while telling this excuse, and say how dedicated you were to your work all night. But when you cross-checked the answers, you got angry with yourself so much that you just blew off the paper. Quite an unbelievable excuse though, but if you play it smartly, your teacher will surely believe in it.

34. “Kept it near the window and it blew away!”

Keep it simple, practical and real. Who can stop nature anyway?

35. “I just showed it to you!”

Sounds fun and adventurous, but do not dare to try if your teacher is sheer smart.

36. “Sister scribbled on it, so I had to erase it which took the entire night”

Again, let your family be your saviour!

37. “Did not know about submitting it today”

Though it is another common lie that goes around a lot, it can give you an extra day.

38. “Shifting house, thus misplaced it”

Tell your teacher that you are shifting your house to a new place, thus everyone was busy packing up the whole stuff. And now you have no idea where your stationery is packed!

39. “Drunk friend puked on my homework!”

And you could not do anything but to help him get to the washroom. And it was a stinking gross sight by the time you returned, thus you had to throw away your homework. This excuse can work well if you play it smartly.

40. “Could not understand the concept”

This shows that you tried doing your homework, but came across problems while doing it. You can make it even better by asking some doubts from your teacher to make it clear to your teacher that you indeed tried doing the homework.

41. “I was absent on that day homework was given”

And you don’t know anything about it. In fact, this is the most common lie that every student has given quite a times in their school times. And the teachers have got bored of hearing this lie. But you can still try it out.

42. “Forgot to save my work”

You were staying up all night, working hard on your assignment and then straight away went to sleep. And you went crazy in the morning when you realized that you had turned off your computer without saving your work!

43. “Neighbors were disturbing, thus I could not focus”

Well, it won’t be wrong to blame your neighbours little for not doing homework. Say the music was too loud or they were drunk and kept disturbing us at our home or anything else.

44. “Was busy doing other subject’s homework”

Teachers go a little crazy hearing this one, and they start lecturing the kids. But it happens often that students are already burying their heads in one subject so much that they can’t complete other subjects’ work.

45. “Was busy in a police investigation in the vicinity”

Let’s say that a crime scene popped out in your neighbourhood and you were called upon for a general investigation. The tiring questions made you really exhausted and you jumped into bed after it.

46. “Work got stuck due to printing error”

You were about to print your work, but let the printer take all your pains. Say it ran out of ink, bolts were loose or anything else. After all, technical errors can ooze up anytime.

47. “Had a fight with brother and he tore off my hard work!”

Oh, poor you! You did a good job at solving all the problems, sitting up all night. But he quarrelled with you right when you woke up in the morning and tore off your homework to bits just to annoy you. And every person knows that fights between siblings are a messy thing to tackle, so such things happen often!

48. “Had a bad toothache”

A toothache is a thing which can shiver a person even in his sleep. Your teacher may have gone through the sour experience as well, so such an excuse can keep you safe easily.

49. “Was grounded to my bedroom and homework was kept in the study”

An annoying lie which the teacher may not believe, but it can explain to him clearly that you need more time to complete your work.

50. “I confess…”

Sometimes, telling the truth is the best excuse to explain why you did not do your work. If no other way seems to work out, speak out the truth, blaming yourself a little that you felt lazy and did such an irresponsible thing. Tell your teacher that you would not repeat such a mistake and require some extra time to finish your work. Sometimes, truth wins overall.

Well, keep a thing in mind that the more bring such excuses into use, the lesser teachers will believe in you. do not make a regular habit of skipping homework. Make use of the above suggested fun excuses when it is actually required.

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• EXPLORE Random Article

How to Get a Teacher's Sympathy

Last Updated: January 29, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Alicia Oglesby . Alicia Oglesby is a Professional School Counselor and the Director of School and College Counseling at Bishop McNamara High School outside of Washington DC. With over ten years of experience in counseling, Alicia specializes in academic advising, social-emotional skills, and career counseling. Alicia holds a BS in Psychology from Howard University and a Master’s in Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. She also studied Race and Mental Health at Virginia Tech. Alicia holds Professional School Counseling Certifications in both Washington DC and Pennsylvania. She has created a college counseling program in its entirety and developed five programs focused on application workshops, parent information workshops, essay writing collaborative, peer-reviewed application activities, and financial aid literacy events. This article has been viewed 21,986 times.

You may need your teacher's sympathy in some situations. Maybe you're struggling in a class, and need some extra help. Maybe you're going through a personal problem, and need your teacher to give you some leeway on assignments. Whatever the issue, approach your teacher in a calm, respectful fashion to ask for sympathy. Stop by your teacher's office hours, explain the issue, and the two of you can figure out where to go from here. In general, work on being a good student. If you're reliable most of the time, your teacher is more likely to help you out when you have a problem.

Approaching Your Teacher

• Before approaching a teacher, think about how much you're willing to share. You do not have to share all the details, but a basic overview can help. You can also think about what your teacher could potentially do to help.
• A personal problem can sometimes get in the way of school work. A teacher can help you manage your stress and may be able to give you some leeway on homework at times.

• Think about any particular reasons you may be struggling. Write down all the reasons you don't understand the topic. Make it clear you're willing to learn, but are struggling to do so.
• When you approach your teacher, tell them exactly what you don't understand. Ask your teacher if he or she can give you some one-on-one attention.

• Think about the teachers you feel comfortable around. Is there a teacher who's very friendly and approachable? Are you particularly close to one teacher in your school?
• If your math teacher tends to be cold, do not talk to him or her. Instead, talk to your history teacher, who has always been warm and caring.

• Some teachers have office hours. If teachers at your school have office hours, stop by then to talk.
• If your teacher does not have office hours, stop your teacher after class. Say something like, "I have something I want to talk over with you. Is there a time we could meet in private?"

• Introduce the topic. You do not want to waste time making small talk. You should start discussing your problem right away.
• For example, say something like, "I'm having a problem at home. I really need someone to listen and I didn't know who else to talk to."
• If you do not want other people to know, say something like, "Can this stay between us?" before you begin the talk. Keep in mind, however, your teacher may be legally obligated to report a situation if you are in danger.

Talking to Your Teacher

• If it's a personal problem, try something like, "My dad has been very sick with cancer lately, and sometimes I can't sleep. That's why I've been running late for class a lot. I'm also worried about the upcoming book report, because it's due the weekend I told him I would go to chemo with him."
• If it's an academic problem, talk about what exactly you're struggling with. Don't say this topic is "too hard" or your grade was "unfair." Instead, try something like, "I don't understand what you meant by this comment on my paper. I want to do better next time, but I just feel like I'm missing something. Can you explain more?"

• Keep your negative emotions in check. If your teacher does not seem immediately sympathetic, he or she may not understand yet. Stay calm, and keep trying to explain.
• Do not rush to judgments. For example, your teacher says, "Well, I can't just give you an extension. It wouldn't be fair to other students." Wait before you react. Your teacher may have something else to say. He may continue with something like, "But I understand your dad's sickness must be tough. I can give you time in class to work while students do other activities."

• You may just want your teacher to understand. If a personal problem is, say, affecting your behavior, you may just want the teacher to know. Say something like, "I just wanted to explain so you don't think I'm not paying attention in class."
• You may want or need some special considerations, however. If you've, say, recently been diagnosed with dyslexia, you may need your teacher to be sympathetic to the fact you'll need more time for tests and quizzes. Say something like, "Is there any way I can get an extra 20 minutes to complete tomorrow's quiz?"

Being a Good Student

• Remember the benefits of an education. School prepares you for the real world and can help you get into a good college after graduation. Think of school as a way to help your future and learn new things.
• Focus on the classes you like. While you may dread history class each day, see it as a necessary evil to get to math class. Try to develop some interest in history anyway. Think about how interesting it is to learn about the events that shaped the current current world.

• Make sure you study as well. Do your reading carefully and review materials after class. This way, you'll be able to follow class better and come in with great questions.

• Take notes. This will help you follow along better, and it will also make you look like a better student.

Expert Q&A

• Be genuine. Feigning tears or other emotions are unlikely to gain a teacher's sympathy. You want your teacher to feel bad for you and give you the help you need. No teacher, however, will be willing to let you shirk your responsibilities. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.noodle.com/articles/how-to-talk-to-your-teacher-about-grades
• ↑ http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/talk-to-parents.html
• ↑ http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102011144
• ↑ Alicia Oglesby. Professional School Counselor. Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.
• ↑ http://www.academictips.org/acad/beastudent.html

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Essay on Day I Forgot To Do My Homework

Students are often asked to write an essay on Day I Forgot To Do My Homework in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Day I Forgot To Do My Homework

The unusual morning.

One day, I woke up feeling happy. It was a sunny day, and I was excited to go to school. I had my breakfast, packed my bag, and left for school. I didn’t realize I had forgotten something important.

In school, everyone was busy. Some were reading, others were writing. Then, it hit me. I had forgotten to do my homework! I felt a chill run down my spine. I was worried about what my teacher would say.

Confronting the Teacher

I decided to tell my teacher the truth. I went up to her and confessed that I had forgotten to do my homework. She looked surprised but appreciated my honesty.

Lesson Learned

That day, I learned a valuable lesson. Always double-check your tasks before going to bed. This experience made me more responsible and organized. From that day on, I never forgot to do my homework again.

250 Words Essay on Day I Forgot To Do My Homework

Introduction.

One day, I forgot to do my homework. It was a day like any other, but this small mistake changed my whole experience.

The Usual Routine

Usually, I am very good at remembering to do my homework. After school, I eat a snack, relax a bit, and then start my homework. I try to finish it before dinner so I can have the rest of the evening to myself. But that day was different.

The Day of Forgetfulness

On this day, I had a lot of fun playing with my friends after school. We played football, laughed, and lost track of time. When I got home, I was so tired that I just wanted to rest. I ate dinner and went to bed early, completely forgetting about my homework.

The Next Day at School

The next day at school, I realized my mistake. My heart sank when my teacher asked us to hand in our homework. I felt a cold sweat as I told her that I had forgotten to do it. I was worried about her reaction and the possible punishment.

Learning from the Experience

My teacher was understanding but reminded me of the importance of responsibility. I felt embarrassed but learned a valuable lesson that day. From then on, I made a point to always remember my homework. I also learned that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them.

In conclusion, the day I forgot to do my homework was a day of learning. It reminded me of my responsibilities and the importance of time management. It was a small mistake, but it taught me a big lesson.

500 Words Essay on Day I Forgot To Do My Homework

Everyone has had that one day when they forgot to do their homework. It might have been due to a busy schedule, a sudden event, or simply a forgetful mind. For me, that day was unforgettable because it taught me an important lesson about responsibility and time management.

The Usual Day

It was a normal day at school. I was busy with classes, sports, and other activities. The teachers gave us homework, as they always did, to be completed by the next day. I remember receiving a math assignment, an essay for English, and a science project. I made a mental note to finish them all when I got home.

Distractions at Home

When I got home, I was greeted by my little brother who wanted to play. I decided to spend some time with him, thinking I could do my homework later. After playing, I was tired and decided to watch some TV and relax. Soon, it was time for dinner, and after that, I was so tired that I went straight to bed, completely forgetting about the homework.

The Realization

The next morning, I woke up and got ready for school as usual. It was only when I was on the school bus, chatting with my friends about their homework, that I realized I had forgotten to do mine. I felt my stomach drop. I was worried about what my teachers would say and how it would affect my grades.

The Consequences

At school, my teachers were disappointed. They pointed out that forgetting to do homework was a sign of irresponsibility. They explained the importance of homework in reinforcing what we learn at school. I felt embarrassed and regretful. I received a lower grade for my math assignment and was asked to submit my English essay and science project the next day.

Lessons Learned

That day, I learned a valuable lesson about responsibility and time management. I realized that I should have prioritized my homework over playing and relaxing. I also understood the importance of writing down my tasks to avoid forgetting them. From then on, I started using a planner to keep track of my assignments and manage my time better.

The day I forgot to do my homework was a wake-up call for me. It taught me about the consequences of neglecting my responsibilities and the importance of managing my time wisely. It wasn’t a pleasant experience, but it was definitely a lesson worth learning. From then on, I made sure to always complete my homework on time, no matter what distractions I faced at home.

In the end, we all make mistakes, but what matters is what we learn from them. Forgetting to do my homework was a mistake, but it taught me to be more responsible and better at managing my time. It was a day I’ll never forget, not because of the embarrassment, but because of the valuable lesson it taught me.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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If you forgot your iPad passcode, use your Mac or PC to reset it

Locked out of your iPad and forgot your iPad passcode? Use a computer to get your iPad into recovery mode so you can erase it and set it up again.

Forgot the passcode on your iPhone?

Forgot the passcode on your iPod touch?

Use your iPad to reset your iPad passcode

Use your old passcode to temporarily access your iPad in iPadOS 17 or later

Learn what to do if you see "[Device] unavailable" or "Security Lockout" on your iPad .

If you enter the wrong passcode on your iPad Lock Screen too many times, an alert lets you know that your iPad is disabled.

If you can't remember your passcode when you try again, you need to use a computer to put your iPad in recovery mode. This process deletes your data and settings, including your passcode, allowing you to set up your iPad again.

After you erase your iPad, you can restore your data and settings from a backup. If you didn't back up your iPad, you can set it up as a new device and then download any data that you have in iCloud.

Step 1: Make sure that you have a computer (Mac or PC)

This process requires a Mac or PC. If you're using a PC, make sure that it has Windows 10 or later and that the Apple Devices app or iTunes is installed . You also need the cable that came with your iPad, or another compatible cable, to connect your iPad to the computer.

If you don't have a computer and you can't borrow one, you need to go to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for help.

Step 2: Turn off your iPad

Unplug your iPad from the computer if it's connected.

Turn off your iPad using the method for your iPad model:

If your iPad doesn't have a Home button: Press and hold one of the volume buttons and the top button at the same time until the power off slider appears.

If your iPad has a Home button: Press and hold the top button until the power off slider appears.

Drag the slider to turn off your iPad, then wait a minute to make sure that it turns off completely.

Step 3: Put your iPad in recovery mode

On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open a Finder window. On a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes. If iTunes is already open, close it, then open it again. Find out which macOS your Mac is using . On a PC, open the Apple Devices app or iTunes.

Connect your iPad to your computer using a USB cable.

Keep your iPad connected and press the buttons for your iPad model:

For iPad models without a Home button: Press and quickly release the volume button closest to the top button. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button. Press and hold the top button.

For iPad models with Home button: Press and hold both the Home and the top (or side) buttons at the same time.

Keep holding the button until you see the recovery mode screen on your iPad, then let go.

If you see the passcode screen, you need to turn off your iPad and start again.

If you can't get your iPad to show the recovery mode screen and you need help, contact Apple Support .

Step 4: Restore your iPad

Locate your iPad in the Finder, iTunes, or the Apple Devices app on the computer that it's connected to. (Learn how to find your connected iPad .)

Choose Restore when you see the option to Restore or Update. Your computer downloads software for your iPad and begins the restore process. If the download takes more than 15 minutes and your device exits the recovery mode screen, let the download finish, then turn off your iPad and start again.

Wait for the process to finish.

Disconnect your iPad from the computer, then set up and use your iPad .

Need more help?

If you can't complete any of these steps, if you're still prompted for a passcode, or if you need any other assistance, contact Apple Support .

Related topics

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Find what’s been asked and answered by Apple customers.

Contact Apple Support

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NHL Power Rankings: Who needs to step up for each playoff team?

The first round is almost finished, and it’s difficult to recall a more predictable opening salvo for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Pretty much every favorite has already punched its ticket to the second round or looks close to doing so — although of course the Leafs and Bruins are going to Game 7.

But just because pretty much everything has gone according to plan doesn’t mean there aren’t areas of potential improvement for each team. Even a perfectly played series has room for nitpicking, and that is exactly where The Rankings Boys are at their best.

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That’s the story for this week: one player from each remaining team who needs to step it up for Round 2 (or what’s left of Round 1).

As for the eliminated teams: a classic postmortem of where it all went wrong.

1. Carolina Hurricanes

Last week: 1 Sean’s ranking: 1 Dom’s ranking: 1

Jaccob Slavin

Picking a Hurricane for this spot wasn’t easy, given how their series against the Islanders played out, but it’s fair to say that Slavin in particular wasn’t at his best. With Slavin and partner Brent Burns on the ice, New York carried nearly 60 percent of the expected-goal share and out-chanced the Hurricanes 37-30. That wasn’t a common occurrence for other player combinations.

It’s worth noting that Carolina still won on goals, 3-1, in Slavin’s minutes, and that both Slavin and Burns have track records that make the Islanders series less of a concern, but they’ll need to be better against the Rangers.

2. Colorado Avalanche

Last week: 7 Sean’s ranking: 2 Dom’s ranking: 3

Jonathan Drouin

There was no more impressive team in the opening round than Colorado. Every player delivered, and that includes Alexandar Georgiev , who posted a .933 save percentage after getting shelled in Game 1. Can we quibble with Sean Walker having zero points, or the top line looking meh by expected goals? Sure, but both would still be fairly silly quibbles. The Avalanche flipped the switch and scored more than five goals a game against a Jets team that was supposed to have a strong defense in front of the league’s best goalie. Colorado made them look like an AHL team — it wasn’t close.

Colorado’s first round? No notes.

So who needs to step up here? The only logical conclusion is Drouin, who missed the first round. It’s not so much that he needs to step up, just that when he does step in, he needs to be ready to go full-throttle to match the rest of the roster. The Avalanche have elevated their game to a championship-caliber level, one that Drouin has the potential to accentuate further if he can match the energy. That might be a big ask, coming back from injury, but he’ll need to do it against a Dallas or Vegas team that will offer up a much bigger challenge than Winnipeg.

3. Florida Panthers

Last week: 2 Sean’s ranking: 3 Dom’s ranking: 4

Aaron Ekblad ?

Matthew Tkachuk had nine points in five games against the Lightning . Carter Verhaeghe was scoring huge goals on the regular. Aleksander Barkov mixed in his first career two-goal playoff game. Florida’s best players, generally speaking, have been their best players. That’s a good sign.

Ekblad, though, could show a bit more; he put up the worst expected-goal share among the Panthers’ blueliners (42 percent) in the first round. Sergei Bobrovsky helped make the point moot, but we’ve come to expect more from Ekblad as a five-on-five player, whether or not he’s producing points.

4. Edmonton Oilers

Last week: 6 Sean’s ranking: 5 Dom’s ranking: 2

Every defenseman not named Evan Bouchard or Mattias Ekholm

Take your pick. We’ll focus on the second pair of Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci , whom the Kings managed to dominate, apparently, in every conceivable metric.

While Nurse and Ceci were on the ice at five-on-five, the Oilers were outscored 4-2, outshot 54-37, out-attempted 110-72 and they lost on expected goals, 3.3 to 2.1. Given how soundly Edmonton beat Los Angeles in all of those areas, Nurse and Ceci’s performance gets even more impressive.

Bouchard’s emergence as a true No. 1 defenseman and Ekholm’s continued rock-steady play make the second pair less of a pressing issue against mid-grade offensive teams such as the Kings. The rest of the West, though, is filled with second and third lines that will take advantage, unless something changes.

5. Dallas Stars , up 3-2 on Vegas

Last week:9 Sean’s ranking: 4 Dom’s ranking: 5

Roope Hintz  

Hintz really started to make a name for himself in this league in the playoffs. After putting up just 22 points in 58 games as a rookie, the speedy center scored five goals and eight points in 13 games during that 2019 postseason for Dallas. While it took a couple more seasons for Hintz to reach his current level, his reputation as a playoff performer was already part of his lore. Last spring, he added to that by leading the Stars with 24 points in 19 games, six more than Jason Robertson .

Hintz usually delivers, but in this series, he’s been unfortunately quiet. Through five games, he has just a single point and has been outscored 4-2 at five-on-five. His scoring-chance numbers are strong, sure, but he’s not getting the results we expect.

The good news? It hasn’t mattered for the Stars and they’re up 3-2 anyway. That sets up Hintz to help propel the team over the first-round finish line. But if the Stars do blow this series lead without Hintz making an impact, he’ll have to shoulder a lot of the blame for what went wrong. And if they do hold on, he’ll need to make a massive leap to match up against Nathan MacKinnon and company in the next round.

6. New York Rangers

Last week: 4 Sean’s ranking: 6 Dom’s ranking: 6

K’Andre Miller

When a team sweeps another team after winning the Presidents’ Trophy, it’s really hard to find faults throughout the roster.

For the Rangers, it’s more about what comes next. The difference between Washington and Carolina is massive, and that means they’ll need more to get by.

That probably starts with Miller, New York’s primary shutdown option on the back end. He’s in a tough spot, playing difficult minutes next to a less-experienced Braden Schneider , but earning just 41 percent of the expected goals, a team low, is not a great sign. However difficult the minutes were against Washington (not very!), they’re about to get a whole lot more difficult against the Hurricanes.

Miller has it in him to be a difference-making top-pair defenseman, but this is now his third straight playoff getting crushed at five-on-five. That needs to change against Carolina.

7. Vancouver Canucks , up 3-2 on Nashville

Last week: 10 Sean’s ranking: 7 Dom’s ranking: 7

Elias Pettersson

It’s a testament to the Canucks that they’re winning their series while getting so little from Pettersson. In five games, he’s managed just a pair of secondary assists. With him on the ice at five-on-five, the Canucks have been outshot 25-16, outscored 3-0 and hold an expected goal share of less than 47 percent.

The power play, where Pettersson and the Canucks do plenty of their damage, has been even worse, scoring twice on 13 attempts and generating an abysmal four goals per 60. Anaheim was last in that category in the regular season with 6.42.

It’s not that Pettersson is generating opportunities and getting unlucky, either. He’s been credited with seven total shots and has a hair over one expected goal. The bright side is that Game 5 was his best yet; the Canucks controlled shots 7-3 with him on the ice at five-on-five, and he finished with their third-best Game Score (0.90). Vancouver may need that trend to continue to finish off the Predators — and they’ll certainly need more if they want to stick around any longer.

8. Toronto Maple Leafs , tied 3-3 with Boston

Last week: 11 Sean’s ranking: 8 Dom’s ranking: 8

Timothy Liljegren

After Game 4, it would’ve been extremely easy to choose Mitch Marner, and to some, that might still be the answer, given that he has only three points in six games. But at the very least, he stepped up in Games 5 and 6 with Auston Matthews out. That, and he’s been in Selke Trophy form for much of the series — that means something in a series that’s been razor-thin.

The current best answer might just be Liljegren who has already sat in the press box once in this series and has often looked like everything the coaching staff feared in the past. He’s been the Leafs’ worst five-on-five defender in the most sheltered role, and too often looks overmatched without the puck.

Liljegren’s presence as a puck-mover is sorely needed on a Leafs blue line that’s lacking in that department, but he’s been shaky there, too. Usually, he adds enough there to make up for weaker defense, but that hasn’t been the case against Boston. The Leafs don’t have an elite No. 1 defenseman, and for that reason they depend heavily on limiting weak links from one-to-six. Liljegren needs to hold up his end of the deal for Game 7.

9. Boston Bruins, tied 3-3 with Toronto

Last week: 5 Sean’s ranking: 9 Dom’s ranking: 9

David Pastrnak

Boston’s best and most electric player has shown flashes of dominance against the Leafs , but that’s all they’ve been — flashes. In six games, he has four points, which is a paltry sum for a player of his ilk , who is there to take over games with his singular offensive ability. In this series, he’s mostly been neutralized. Pastrnak has been good, but not great.

That would be more acceptable if he won his minutes at five-on-five and that might be why he’s struggled to produce. At five-on-five, the Bruins have been outscored 4-2 with Pastrnak on the ice and have earned 48 percent of the expected goals — with the latter number being heavily influenced by a solid Game 6 performance.

Pastrnak lives for the big pressure moments and has had some fantastic playoff outings in the past. It’s what’s made his first six games against the Leafs feel underwhelming. But he’ll have one more shot at redemption on Saturday.

10. Vegas Golden Knights, down 3-2 to Dallas

Last week: 3 Sean’s ranking: 10 Dom’s ranking: 10

Alex Pietrangelo

Pietrangelo deserves the honors if only for taking one of the dumbest penalties of the postseason.

Pietrangelo with the biggest bozo penalty of the playoffs so far pic.twitter.com/c75q54UEzP — Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 2, 2024

Naturally, Jason Robertson scored on the ensuing power play to put Dallas up 3-2. It was the last goal of the game, and it’s conceivable that Vegas will lose the series as a result. So, yes, giving Tyler Seguin a nosebleed … probably not worth it.

Pietrangelo’s overall performance hasn’t been great, either. Vegas’ expected goal share with him on the ice is under 40 percent, and they’ve been outscored 4-2. Some better play from their No. 1 defenseman, and no more game-deciding freakouts, would be nice.

11. Nashville Predators, down 3-2 to Vancouver

Last week: 13 Sean’s ranking: 11 Dom’s ranking: 11

Tommy Novak

Offense has been difficult to come by for both teams in this series, but we still expected a bit more out of Novak. During the season, he wasn’t trusted much by coach Andrew Brunette — his line was the team’s most sheltered — and it seems that trend has continued into the postseason. Only Mark Jankowski has averaged fewer minutes than Novak in this series, with both seeing the ice for only 10 to 11 minutes.

At least Jankowski has made due in his time, with two points in five games. Novak has put up doughnuts on the scoresheet, joining Cole Smith and Michael McCarron as the only Predators forwards without a point. That’s not ideal for a player who was fourth on the team in points this season, scoring at a 52-point pace.

With only 39 percent of the expected goals — a result of manufacturing very little offense — the process hasn’t looked very sound, either. Nashville’s top players have delivered as expected, but if guys such as Novak can’t provide the depth scoring necessary, it’s hard to imagine the Predators making the full comeback.

12. Tampa Bay Lightning, eliminated

Last week: 15 Sean’s ranking: 12 Dom’s ranking: 12

Most of Tampa Bay’s optimism should revolve around GM Julien BriseBois’ dedication to wringing every last moment out of their contention window. It certainly shouldn’t linger on how the Lightning actually played in the first round against the Panthers. Woof.

Only five Lightning skaters scored against the Panthers. None of them were Nikita Kucherov , who managed just three five-on-five assists and seven points overall. If he wins the Hart Trophy, he’ll deserve it, and the acceptance speech will be … interesting.

It’s worth noting that BriseBois, after the series, said Nick Perbix and Erik Cernak both sprained their AC joints during the series. That would explain some of Tampa Bay’s blue-line issues, but not all of them. Also, Steven Stamkos may have played his last game with the franchise. Hard times .

13. Los Angeles Kings, eliminated

Last week: 12 Sean’s ranking: 13 Dom’s ranking: 13

The sting of losing to the same team in the first round for the third straight year is already tough to swallow. That the gap between the two teams only seems to be growing each year — from 4-3 to 4-2 to 4-1 — is gut-wrenching.

Where do the Kings even go from here?

That’s a serious question facing an organization that seemed to rush through a rebuild to get to a point at which they could compete while Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty were still top-tier players. But compete and contend are two widely different terms that encapsulate just how stuck the Kings might currently be. They don’t have a whole lot of young emerging talent to show from that tear-down, and Kopitar and Doughty can only be expected to become less effective with each passing season.

It’s not enough to just be a playoff team, but that’s all the Kings managed to build.

Of course, this might be a different conversation if Pierre-Luc Dubois wasn’t half the player he’s being paid to be — if that. Then again, would the series outcome be any different if he was? Was the difference between Edmonton and Los Angeles this year simply one peak Dubois?

Probably not, and perhaps that’s the biggest indictment of where the Kings are, relative to the top of the West. They struck out swinging going for the grand slam they didn’t need to begin with.

The Kings are in a very unenviable spot going forward, and look destined to complete the cycle next year against the Oilers.

14. Winnipeg Jets, eliminated

Last week: 8 Sean’s ranking: 14 Dom’s ranking: 15

In the run-up to what felt like a premium first-round series, even folks who believed in the Jets’ chances seemed to be realistic about their shortcomings. Winnipeg could take care of business, the logic went, but it’d be because of strong defensive play throughout the lineup and golaie Connor Hellebuyck — not because their high-end skaters matched up with Colorado’s.

Five games later, the Jets’ season is over, and basically nothing worked. They lost on star power, sure, but also on goaltending and defensive play. No team allowed more expected goals per 60 at five-on-five, or overall. No team was scored on more frequently. If the Jets can’t rely on a combo of sound defensive process and an elite goaltender during the playoffs — and both elements certainly seemed to be broken against Colorado — what exactly is left? What, in other words, are they supposed to be good at?

It’s a valid question without an easy answer, and the result — for now — is a transitional summer, as Murat Ates wrote .

15. New York Islanders, eliminated

Last week: 16 Sean’s ranking: 15 Dom’s ranking: 14

It’s fitting that in a roller-coaster season, there were two instances in this series when the Islanders suffered a gut punch in the same span of time it takes to rocket down from the top of one. This ride surely was a lot less fun. In Game 2, it took nine seconds for a 3-2 Islanders lead to turn into a 4-3 deficit. In Game 5, it took eight seconds for a 3-3 tie game to look completely out of reach at 5-3.

Just 17 seconds stood between what we expected (an uncompetitive series) and what could’ve been more interesting.

Sometimes, the difference between two teams manifests slowly. Sometimes, it reveals itself in the blink of an eye. For the Islanders, both were true against the class of the East. Call two of those goals bad bounces if you want, but the Hurricanes still carried the run of play for the majority of the series and got what they deserved at the end. Actual goals: 19-12. Expected goals: 19-14.

With a full season of Patrick Roy at the helm and with some offseason tweaks, maybe the Islanders will get closer to the East’s best next season. It’s not an insurmountable gulf, but it’s clear that after not coming close against Carolina’s B-game, the Islanders have  a difficult road ahead of them .

16. Washington Capitals, eliminated

Last week: 14 Sean’s ranking: 16 Dom’s ranking: 16

Bless the Caps, who deserve credit for making it into the postseason at all. They put up more of a fight against the Rangers than the series length would suggest, holding New York to the fewest expected goals/60 of the first round (2.0).

There’s more to hockey than that, though. Scoring, for example. And goaltending. And special teams. Washington fell short across the board. None of that, really, should’ve been a surprise, though Charlie Lindgren ’s play probably qualifies as a disappointment. An .862 save percentage and nearly four goals allowed above expected is a major step down from the play he brought throughout the regular season, and was even further from the level he needed to hit to give the Caps a realistic shot at advancing.

What’s next? Probably another season in limbo , hopefully with enough goals from Alex Ovechkin , timely goaltending from whomever and solid coaching from Spencer Carbery to make things interesting once more. It’s a tough ask.

(Top photo of Elias Pettersson: Derek Cain / Getty Images)

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How to Get Out of Doing Homework

Last Updated: March 4, 2024 Fact Checked

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 111 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. 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 283,235 times. Learn more...

Sometimes you just can't get it together and finish your homework. Maybe you had a concert or a game after school and you were too tired to think when you got home. Maybe you ran out of time, or you fell asleep early. Maybe you just had something way better to do! This article will give you ideas for how to get your parents off your back about doing homework and convince your teachers you have a perfectly good reason why you didn't do the assignment. Plus, learn techniques on how to make it look like you made an attempt at your assignment, but life, fate, or technology got in the way. Just don't make a habit of it, or your grades may suffer.

Making Excuses to Your Teacher

• Notice how your teacher reacts when other students forget their homework to gauge how much you can get away with.
• Notice if your teacher collects homework or usually just walks around and glances at your worksheet to make sure you did it.
• Try to get an idea of what your teacher likes. If they have pictures of their cat everywhere, you may be able to use that to your advantage later by telling them your cat is very sick or had to be put down and you were too devastated to finish the assignment.
• Remember that your teacher probably got into teaching because they are passionate about their subject. Participate in class as much as possible: if they believe you love history, too, they're probably more likely to be sympathetic later.
• Find out how much homework counts toward your final grade. If homework only accounts for 20% of your grade and you ace all your tests, projects, and class participation, you might be able to get by without doing homework and still get a decent grade.

• If your teacher expects you to email them your assignment, ask them the next day if they got your email. When they say they didn't, act confused and explain that you definitely emailed them and that you can't believe it didn't go through. They probably can't check to see if you are lying and will probably give you an extension.

• Claim the death of a family member. Make it someone close enough that it would affect you, but not so close that the teacher will find out about it. A great aunt or uncle works as they tend to be older. There is also no limit on the amount of great aunts and uncles you have, whereas with grandparents there is a limited number of times you can use that excuse. Plus, you don't want to tempt karma by saying your grandma died unexpectedly.
• Say that you are having a private family issue and you don't feel comfortable talking about it, but you can't do the homework.
• Tell your teacher your pet died. But be aware that if your teacher happens to be having a conversation with your parents and says something like "Sorry about the dog!" they may find out you were lying.

• Tell the teacher you were in the bathroom when they assigned the work and you completely missed that you had homework. However, if your teacher has a good memory or writes homework on the board or on a school website, there is a high chance this will not work.

• This works best if you are somebody who rarely gets sick(maybe once or twice a year) then you will be more trustworthy if you appear sick.

• If you do this too often your teacher will stop being sympathetic, so make sure it only happens once or twice.

Making It Look Like You Did Your Homework

• If your teacher walks around the class checking for homework, but doesn't take it in, write your homework page and task at the top of some random notes you have for that class. If they're not attentive, they won't notice.
• If they are attentive, try to distract them by asking a question related to the subject or show them a word in the textbook you don't understand.

• Say you must have left it on your desk/in the car/on the bus and ask if you can turn it in at the end of the day. Then you can quickly do the assignment during lunch.
• Be smart when pretending to be upset that you lost your homework. If you usually slack off and don't do your homework, it may seem odd to the teacher when you suddenly worry about not having your homework.

• If you cheat on writing based homework, paraphrase it so your teacher can't tell that you cheated. Also, think about how you usually perform in class. If you don't usually do well in class on homework and tests, your teacher could get suspicious if you get all the answers right. So to be smart, get some answers wrong on purpose.
• Try asking one friend for answers to questions #1 and #2, then another friend for the answers to questions #3 and #4, and so on until the assignment is complete.
• Assemble a study group and let them work out all the answers.
• If you have a friend who owes you a favor, tell them this is how they can repay their debt.

• Bring in a blank flash drive and swear to your teacher you saved it to the drive and you don't know what happened.

• Go into File Explorer and find the file you want to make corrupt. Right click over the file and select 'Open With...', then select Notepad. Once the file opens in Notepad you should see a really bizarre document with gibberish. Click anywhere within the document and type something random in it, disturbing the flow. After this just save and submit. When your teacher opens it, it will show up an error.
• Do not select "use application as default" when selecting Notepad after File Explorer step or else all word documents (.docx) will automatically in Notepad showing gibberish.
• Create a blank image in Paint and save it in .bmp format. After that, forcefully change its format into .doc (right-click and hit Properties), and change the title to the name of your homework assignment. Now, when you try to open the file in any text viewing program, it will show up as a broken file. Send it to the teacher, and if they ask you the next day, just say sorry about this inconvenience and promise to send it this evening. Now, you have an extra day to complete your homework.

Convincing Your Parents

• So your parents check your history? Easy. If you have the Google Chrome browser, you can use Incognito mode. This will not track your history at all. Press ctrl+shift+N at the same time to open an Incognito tab. Remember to close all Incognito tabs before you go back to doing your homework.
• Remember ctrl + w closes a window with one tab without prompt, so it is the perfect way without downloading Firefox and certain add-ons to use the computer without parent's knowing anything of your exploits.

Community Q&A

Tips from our Readers

• Try to sound very stressed about not finishing your homework. Try to only skip homework when you really need to. It might be obvious that you're not trying if you never do it.
• Try to be honest when you get caught. If you lie and get caught, you might be in bigger trouble.
• Remember: in most cases, it is unlikely your teacher will excuse you from doing the homework altogether, even if these tactics work. Go into it thinking they will give you an extension and you will have time to catch up on your work without it impacting your grade. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Homework is there to help you. In the long run, not doing homework will impact not just your report card but your future. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Avoid lame and common excuses. These excuses have no effect, so don't even try to use them. Avoid "I forgot" and "My dog ate my homework" kind of excuses. Using long, boring excuses may make the teacher just dismiss it and tell you to turn it in tomorrow. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://edinazephyrus.com/how-to-fake-sick-successfully/
• ↑ https://corrupt-a-file.net/

About This Article

If you weren't able to finish your homework, there are a few good excuses you can use to keep your teacher off your back. You can blame technology and say your computer or printer broke. If you needed the internet for your homework, say your internet went off for a few hours. Pretending you forgot your homework isn't the best excuse, but it sounds better than admitting you didn't do it. Search through your bag and pretend to look for it, then tell your teacher you must have left it at home. To make it more convincing, see your teacher at the beginning of class and say you had a busy week and forgot to do the homework. You can even tell them you had a family issue. Teachers are unlikely to call you out for being sick, so try going to the nurse before class and telling them you feel sick and you can’t go to class. For more tips, including how to get out of your parents making you do homework, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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