Excuse

I penalize students for not coming to class, or habitually coming in late. I took one student aside because of his habitual and terminal lateness and told him his behavior was damaging his class average.

"If the bus was on time, I'd be on time. But it's always five or ten minutes late, so I'm always five or ten minutes late."

"Take an earlier bus."

"But that would require I get up earlier."

Good point.