If you want to submit your assignment in time, but always end up submitting it minutes late, here is a complete solution to this issue. Being late with an assignment can cause a lot of problems. It can create tension with your professor, increase the load on your classmates and the workload you have to take home, and worst of all put you at risk for failing the class altogether. Despite these consequences, it’s something that happens quite frequently. Here is a complete guide that will help you avoid submission problems and the late submission penalty.

How to Escape Late Submission Penalties for late Assignments?

There are several tips on how to escape late submission penalties and below we’ve mentioned a few:

• Inform Your Tutor

There are some steps you can take to ensure that you don’t end up missing deadlines (and making excuses for it).

The first step to avoiding late submission is to get it out of the way early. It’s a good idea to approach your tutor with plenty of time before the deadline and explain your situation. They may be able to give you an extension or allow you to submit later if they know about it well in advance. You should also try and inform them as soon as possible so that they can adjust their schedules appropriately.

You can call them or email them and inform them about your situation. You can also explain what has prevented you from completing the assignment on time. If you have already received a penalty for late submission, explain it to them too. If you have a genuine excuse for being late, there is a high chance that your professor will understand your situation and accept the submission even after the due date.

• Set Reminders

There are many ways of setting reminders, but the most effective is probably through your phone. You can set an alarm or reminder on your phone that will tell you when an assignment is due. The great thing about this is that it’s easy and convenient – setting reminders takes seconds, and it means there’s no excuse for forgetting! An alternative method would be using Google Calendar or Mac Calendar if you’re on a computer system instead. This is a technique that has been used for years and has proven to be very effective.

It will help you monitor your tasks, especially those that are due soon and those that are overdue. Whenever you have a task or assignment, set a reminder to notify you when it needs to be completed, or the due date is getting close. Ensure your reminder system is strong and reliable so it will not fail you when you need it most.

• Seek a Credible Reason for the Delay in Submission

If your excuse is credible, then you will be at peace with yourself and need not worry about the consequences. The prof will also be pleased to know you’re telling the truth and will possibly extend the deadline for you. Just be sure that all your reasons hold water and you’re not just trying to get out of a tight spot by coming up with lies.

Late submission without proper approval may lead to severe penalties such as deduction of marks or even denial of submission altogether. It is important that you maintain absolute transparency when explaining your case so that your professor understands the situation clearly without any ambiguity.

•  Ask for an Extension from your Professor

It’s better to ask for an extension midway through your coursework than at the end of it, even if the prof is willing to extend it for you. That’s because it becomes extremely difficult to complete your coursework (especially essays) in a short amount of time and still do justice to them. This is by far the best way to get an extension. If you explain to your professor why you deserve more time, they may give it to you.

If you can’t explain why you deserve more time, you probably don’t need more time. This takes a lot of guts, especially if it’s right before a paper is due. This means that students won’t be able to use this option most of the time. However, it’s worth a try every once in a while. If you have a good reason for asking for more time, and if you’ve done well in the class so far (or even just in this particular assignment), then your professor will likely be accommodating. If they say no, then it’s back to the drawing board.

How to Ask for an Extension on a Paper?

The best way to ask for an extension is in person or via email. Start with something like, “I’m really sorry I couldn’t finish my paper on time.” Then, explain the reasons why you need more time to complete it, like if you’re having trouble researching your topic or have a personal emergency. Next, ask your teacher if they would be willing to give you an extension so you can submit the paper late without getting a penalty. If they agree, tell them when you’ll turn the assignment in by and thank them for their understanding.

How to Write your Time Extension Request – Template email

Hi [teacher name],

I am emailing you to request an extension on the [assignment name] due [date]. I am unable to complete it within the original time frame for the following reason:

[Give your reasons here]

This has resulted in me being unable to complete my assignment within the required time frame. Is it possible for me to extend [X days/weeks]? This would mean submitting my assignment by [new date].

Thank you for taking the time to consider this request. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,

[Your name]

Common Excuses if you Submitted Assignment Minutes Late

1. I was busy with something very important.
2. I was waiting for an email that never came.
3. I accidentally deleted the assignment.
4. My computer crashed, and I lost everything.
5. I had to look after my sick pet.
6. I got stuck in a traffic jam.
7. My bus was late, and I couldn’t do anything about it.
8. My internet wasn’t working, so I couldn’t email you the assignment.
9. My power cut out, so my internet and computer stopped working.
10. I had to help my family move house so I couldn’t finish the assignment on time.
11. I had to take care of a sick relative/friend, so I didn’t have time to finish the assignment on time.

Conclusion

The above summarises how to escape being penalised for submitting an assignment late without any penalty. Many factors contribute to whether a penalty is issued. For more details, contact your faculty member. Good luck!