It is easy to admit that many students at some point or another have missed class, an exam, or turned in an assignment late for a reason that didn't have to do with an illness or death in the family.
After reaching out to many professors at the University of Kentucky and even one at Kean University in New Jersey, there are many hilarious, ridiculous, and of course, common stories out there that have been told for missing class.
The most common excuses professors have been told are pet and family members dying, getting food poisoning, being in a car accident, feeling too hungover...the list goes on.
Although Dr. Michael Pennell a professor at the University of Kentucky said, "he appreciates the honest excuses from his students." For instance, I'm just too tired to get out of bed, I went to visit my boyfriend/girlfriend, I'm not a morning person, and even the occasional detailed descriptions of an illness or issue.
"I don't know if I've had any abnormal excuses. To be honest, most students don't offer excuses these days," said Dr. Allison Burkette a professor at the University of Kentucky.
Stories from other professors seem to say otherwise. Everything from a student turning in an assignment late because he got laid the night before and didn't have time to do it to a student saying she was temporarily blind the day of an exam. One student even went as far as putting a fake bandage around his waist and said he had an appendectomy.
Some students have killed off the same grandmother more than once. One student was late to a class where the professor was supposed to get evaluated, but got canceled and handed the professor a note that read, "Sorry I'm late! And I thought this note would make it look like I had an excuse."
The funny stories go on and on, but Dr. Sharon Yam a professor at the University of Kentucky said, "I do think instructors need to know that often students miss class not because they are lazy, but because they are dealing with legitimate problems or have responsibilities outside of school (e.g. mental health issues that cannot be quickly resolved, caretaking responsibilities at home with aging or young family members, the need to work a full-time job, etc.)."
Even though some of these stories are hysterically sad, life and legitimate situations do happen.
Many of these professors have had a lot of excuses over the years, but enjoy the honest excuses rather than the fabricated, made-up stories and are willing to work with the student to accommodate whatever it is they're going through.
