What's the difference between an excuse and a reason?

[Jas1360]

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So here is the background:

I have been trained by various people (usually military) who had strict rules about "no excuses". For example, you are on your way to a scheduled event and you get a flat tire. You fix it as quickly as possible and hurry on your way. When you arrive you are asked why you are late. The only appropriate response accepted would have been, "No excuse, sir!"

This mindset has made it difficult for me to differentiate what kinds of excuses teachers and evaluators actually want to hear about. In fact, one time I went to the hospital during the school year and did not tell any of my instructors even though it impacted my ability to study and caused me to miss classes. I figured that I did not need to tell them because attendance was not mandatory and I did not miss an exam day.

I have slowly been realizing that teachers will help students in those kinds of situations either by recording lectures, extending deadlines, or connecting the student with a tutor or someone who can help them catch up. Yet, in the back of my mind I still just want to respond, "No excuse, sir".

So what are the kinds of things that you all consider a valid reason versus an excuse, or an inability to take responsibility?

 

[45408]

Would appropriate planning and reasonable action on your part have prevented the outcome? If yes, then it's an excuse. If no, then it's a reason.

Your mom died? That's a reason. You're hungover and slept in? That's an excuse.

 

[Jas1360]

Thank you, I appreciate the response. The appropriate planning part is usually what I go by. However, I have been around too many people who would always argue that you could have done more or done it sooner. Back the the flat tire example, they would have said "you should have left the house earlier just in case something like that happened,". Lol, I know that they were extreme.

 

[LupaCupcake]

<--MILITARY VET MARRIED TO ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY

Sometimes it is easier to say no excuses and move on. The topic is instantly dropped and forgotten within a few minutes.

Sometimes it is worth trying to state your case if the situation may cause you to look lazy or unprepared. It is good to try and prepare for emergencies and "oh crap" moments, but no one is perfect...not even premeds😛 A professor, a boss or someone staring you down for an interview may seem grrrrrrrrrrrr, but ultimately they are human and as long as you don't come off as someone that was shaming they may appreciate the honesty. Shaming is a term commonly used in the military in case you didn't know. If some soldier says he has an appointment at 0900 and he doesn't come back to work until after lunch even though his appointment only lasted ten minutes and he was hanging out at home playing video games.......he was shamming.

 

[Yellow Jacket]

Would appropriate planning and reasonable action on your part have prevented the outcome? If yes, then it's an excuse. If no, then it's a reason.

Your mom died? That's a reason. You're hungover and slept in? That's an excuse.

Unless you killed your mom. Then it may be an excuse. Juuust kidding.