Why am I so annoyed about colleague getting extra time to complete this work?

[TeacherMa]

It's more of a niggle than outright bitterness

Colleague and I are both doing an online module through work for a graded certificate. We had coursework due to be submitted yesterday. I've submitted something I'm really not too happy with but accept that it's my own fault for not getting started on it sooner. I emailed colleague today and he mentioned that he got another 5 days to do his as he requested an extension. He pretended he's been sick to the course leader so he could get extra time. It was awarded instantly without any evidence.

Why am I so annoyed at him? Is it jealousy? Annoyance at myself?

If only I'd known it was so easy to get extra time, I would have done it myself! Is this why I'm so annoyed?

Why would you feel annoyed if you were me? Feel like I need an impartial opinion here.

Sounds like you are more annoyed at yourself for not thinking of it, rather than at his ingenuity.

I would be annoyed but it's one of those things. I was doing my degree same time as a friend and she was constantly asking for extensions whilst I was busting my arse to get my stuff in on time. But I realised I was in the better position for getting it done and having discipline. Only through my friend did I realise how easy it was to get an extension too otherwise I never would of tried it myself. I asked for one when I was super stressed just on the off chance and whilst I waited for my tutors answer I managed to actually do it in time! 🤦🏻‍♀️ but it was so easy to get and I wouldn't of known!... at least you know for next time but honestly it just leads to procrastination.

How do you know they 'pretended' to be sick? Did they say that or are you assuming it?

People tend to get extensions for disability, bereavement things like that and a disability does not legally need to be 'proven' or even disclosed.

I would caution against making assumptions.

i have similar at University, we all have 7500 words due mid Jan and half the people have asked for extentions due to extenuating circumstances as they jusy get granted automatically they say

I am not bothering as seems better to just get it done at correct time else its a sword hanging over me into semester 2. Okay i had covid in december but it was mild. It doesn't affect me getting work in for mid January!

How come neither of you could manage to produce a good piece of work in the allotted time? Maybe you need to speak to your work about being given more time for it going forward?

I knew someone who used to do this all the time at uni. Still got a shit grade overall 🤷‍♀️

You're annoyed at him because he is a lying cheat!

Thanks for the replies. Yes I think the annoyance lies mostly with myself for not realising how easy it would have been to be granted extra time! However, I also agree that it would likely have made me procrastinate.

Yes, he outright told me he pretended to be ill. He's been away over New Year with his family, left it to the last minute, emailed the course leader to say he's been sick and has been given extra time. He was so upfront about it with me as he couldn't believe it himself how easy and quick it was to be given the extra time.

It's not an important thing at all but something that will look good on CVs in the future if going for leadership/senior roles. I need to focus on my own effort rather than his and redirect the annoyance to myself.

Well - you could either ask now if you could have a couple of extra days because you can see how you could improve the assignment;

Or, feel pleased that you have got it off your to-do list.

Plus, actually got brownie points for being on time.

I sometimes have something similar at work - not qualification assignments but Grant applications and reports. we can give short extensions because the reality is, I can't read every submission at once. BUT it starts to get a real pain chasing the late reports AND they are getting noticed but not for the right reasons!

Extensions are awarded with discretion. You might be going through personal problems, you don't have to always show evidence. What your colleague did was shit to lie, but you don't always get asked for evidence and you can ask for an extension for any reason, really, and it may or may not get approved.

If only I'd known it was so easy to get extra time, I would have done it myself! Is this why I'm so annoyed?

Yes.