Top 10 Best Excuses Professors Have Heard about Missed Classes or Assignments
Through the years, Bluefield University students have had many different reasons for not being able to come to class or complete an assignment. Oftentimes, students have very understandable reasons for missing lectures or assignments, and all the professors at BU are generally pretty understanding when it comes to missing a day here and there.
At the Rampage, we were rather curious about some of the more bizarre or outrageous excuses that students have used over the years, so we made it our mission to find out. Here are the Top 10 Best Excuses Professors Have Heard about Missed Classes or Assignments.
#10 When is class?
At the beginning of each semester, it can sometimes be difficult to find where your class is and also when it takes place. That was certainly the case for this BU student who said, “I didn’t know when class was supposed to be,” said Josh Shroyer, who is an athletic trainer and personal wellness instructor at BU. Our advice: If you need to see your class schedule, check MyBU. The location, time, professor, and even the course code will all be included there.
#9 My alarm didn’t go off.
We all have been here before. It is very frustrating when technology does not operate properly. This was what happened to one student in particular, and that was their excuse: “My alarm didn’t go off,” said Shroyer. I find that setting more than one alarm is the best tactic to make sure you wake up.
#8 I was too tired.
Being a college student is exhausting. With a majority of the BU campus being comprised of student-athletes you can expect some people to be dragging. Once again, Shroyer provides this excuse that a student once told him: “I was too tired, so I kept sleeping.” I find that going to bed at a decent hour and prioritizing sleep over other extracurricular activities is the best tactic in this situation. Hopefully, this student got a good night of sleep and was able to make it to his or her next class.
#7 I’m sick.
Being sick is the worst, but some teachers say that they hear it a little too often. “I am always surprised at how often sickness coincides with test days,” said Chris Shoemaker, an assistant professor of communication at BU. “It is remarkable how students are seldom sick during the semester, except on test days,” he added. Shroyer agreed, saying that students tend to say, “I think I’m sick, but I haven’t gone to the doctor.” If you are feeling sick or under the weather, just go to the training room at the Dome where BU athletic trainers might be able to help.
#6 My iPad is broken.
As all students know, your iPad is the key to your academic success at BU. It appears that one very unfortunate student has been having trouble with his or her iPad lately. “One student used the excuse for not turning in anything at all for three months and said that he was having trouble with his iPad,” said Dr. Henry Clary, a professor of Christian Studies who also teaches general education classes at BU. “This was also the same excuse he used for actually never coming to class — no iPad,” Dr. Clary added. If you are the one having trouble with your iPad, the IT Department on campus might be able to help. In the meantime, there are many computer labs on campus where you can complete your assignments or you can go to the library.
#5 My friend’s car broke down.
Having car trouble is very frustrating. That was the case with one BU student’s friend. “My friend’s car broke down, and I need to go pick them up, so I won’t be in class,” said one of Dr. Meghan Wilson’s students. Wilson is a professor of biology. Shout out to this student for being a great person and going to pick up his or her friend even though they had to miss class.
#4 My passport needs to be fixed.
BU has many international students on campus, and as you know you must have a passport to get in and out of the country. One student in particular was having passport trouble, and that is what leads us to the next excuse. Shroyer said that a student once told him, “I have to go to another state to get my passport fixed.” Though I am not sure of the entire situation, one could only hope that the person in question got his or her passport troubles resolved.
#3 I was planning a wedding shower.
Getting married is supposed to be one of the most special times in a person’s life, and one BU student was determined to make sure that their friend’s wedding shower was nothing less than special. “I can’t get my assignments done on time because I’m busy planning my friend’s wedding shower. That’s my priority at this moment,” said one of Dr. William Bandy’s students. Bandy is an accounting professor at BU. Hopefully, the wedding shower was a success, and this student got all of the late work turned in.
#2 My dog got sprayed by a skunk.
A pet getting sprayed by a skunk is a rare occurrence, but it does happen. That was the case for one student’s very unlucky dog. Dr. Wilson said that a student once told her that they would not be able to attend class because, “My dog got sprayed by a skunk and needs a bath.” Hopefully, the dog got its bath and no longer smells like skunk. Ultimately, this is a very bizarre excuse for a student to use.
#1 My roommate’s fish died.
Losing a pet can be one of the most difficult things we have to go through during our lifetime. When one very unfortunate BU student’s pet fish died, her roommate was there for her. “The most unbelievable excuse I’ve heard from a student about missing class and an assignment that was due the same day is that her roommate’s pet fish died,” said Shoemaker. “She said she had to console her roommate and take her to the pet store to get a new fish,” he added. Not many excuses could top that. Hopefully, she got a new fish and has recovered from the devastation of losing her beloved pet.
There are many different understandable reasons for missing a class or assignment, but a majority of the time just being transparent and honest with your professors can go a long way.
“I have students who miss for sports, bereavement, and simply oversleeping, and I am grateful that they admit it and don’t try to make up stories when that happens,” said Dr. Joe Saunders, who is a professor of chemistry at BU. Our great professors understand that life happens and will not always go as planned.
“Medical excuses or sudden death/illness of family members usually generate the most compassion by me,” said Dr. Shawn White, a professor of Christian studies and director of general education. “I am a bit of a softy when it comes to late work these days. I have become more conscious of the importance of mental well-being… That being said, I do like consistency, so I try not to allow excuses for one person that I would not allow for another.”
Ultimately, many professors at BU are very understanding and are willing to work with students who are willing to put forth effort when it comes to making up missed assignments and tend to be understanding when it comes to missing classes on occasion.