• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sidney Smith Commons

Online resource for A & S students

  • About
  • What’s On
  • Help Topics
  • Get Involved
  • Resources
  • NAVI

Home > I need Help, Now > School Work > I can’t meet a deadline, what do I do?

I can’t meet a deadline, what do I do?

First and foremost, take a deep breath and do your best to relax…then, take action and notify the appropriate people.

  1. If you are sick, report your absence through ACORN

    If you have to be absent from class for any reason (e.g., COVID-19, cold, flu and other illness or injury, family situation) and you require consideration for missed academic work, report your absence through the online absence declaration. The declaration is available on ACORN under the Profile and Settings menu. Additionally, you can visit Health & Wellness for advice. If you have already made use of your absence declaration this term, you may need to provide supporting documentation for other absences if you are seeking academic consideration for missed course work (e.g., College Registrar’s Letter, Verification of Illness or Injury form).

  2. If you’ve been ill, contact your instructor.

    Send an email that explains why you’re having difficulty meeting the deadline. Let them know you will report your absence through ACORN.

  3. Contact your College Registrar’s office

    They may be able to assist you by writing a letter for special consideration to support your need for an extension.

Petitions

The Faculty recognizes that sometimes exceptional circumstances necessitate an exception being made to the normal rules and deadlines. The petition is the way students make such a request. Learn more about the petition process and required documentation to support your request.

Primary Sidebar

Tips

Plan Ahead

Use the assignment planner to determine how much time you’ll need to begin and complete an assignment. A Learning Strategist could also help you with managing your time and planning out how to complete assignments.

 

Related Articles

How do I request an extension?

What to do if I’m sick?

What to do if I’m sick and I have an assignment due?

What should I do if I am sick and I have a test tomorrow?

I can’t make a test or exam, what do I do?

Footer

© University of Toronto, Faculty of Arts & Science | All rights reserved

For feedback about this website, email: ask.artsci@utoronto.ca.

Copyright © 2025