Be genuine with your apology. If you don’t feel bad about your actions, try to view your actions from your teachers perspective. This may help you understand why you got in trouble. Look your teacher in the eye when you apologize. Don’t look at the floor or around the room. Looking your teacher in the eye will show them that you’re being genuine. If your teacher genuinely believes that you are sorry, they may take you out of detention.
Describe what happened without placing the blame on others. Trying to place the blame on others makes you look like you’re avoiding the blame. If you want your apology to be taken seriously, you need to own up to your mistakes. Use the phrase “I was wrong” when you are taking responsibilities for your actions. Acknowledge how your actions have negatively affected others. For example, if you were being a distraction in class, tell your teacher “I’m sorry for distracting my classmates. I regret that my actions hurt you and them. " If a teacher sees that you are taking responsibility for your actions, they may decide that you no longer need detention. [2] X Research source
Say “Next time. . . " or “In the future, I will. . . " to explain your plan to change. Provide your teacher with a valid plan for the future. For example, if you were talking back to your teacher, say “In the future, I will express my concerns to you privately after class instead of talking back to you in front of other students. “[3] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source
Stay civil when talking to your teacher. Don’t yell or get upset, because it will look like you are being defensive. Instead, remain calm when telling your teacher your side of the story. [4] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source
Talking to your teacher might help them understand your actions. If you’re battling some personal problems, that might explain why you’re acting out in class. Try to be honest about what’s going on in your life with your teacher. Are you having problems at home? Are you being bullied? Maybe your teacher can help you deal with your problems. Getting out of detention is only one small perk of telling your teacher about your problems. Teachers can be great resources for advice and problem solving. [5] X Research source Just try not to sound like you’re making stupid excuses. If you know that what you did is wrong and that you deserve to be in detention, don’t lie or try to sweet-talk your way out of it.
Honesty is appreciated by teachers. If they believe you’re being honest about your actions, they’ll believe that you’re being honest about not making the same mistake again. Don’t downplay your actions or make them into jokes. This will show your teacher that you are not sorry for your actions and you will most likely have to serve detention.
Challenging your teacher’s decision in front of other students will make your teacher feel obligated to maintain their authority. If you want to talk with your teacher, do so privately and remain calm. Never lie about your reasons for your behavior. Teachers can usually detect when you’re lying, so honesty is your best bet. The worst thing you can do is threaten your teacher or swear at your teacher. Doing this will make matters even worse. [6] X Research source Telling your teacher that they’re not being fair or honest might be true, but it might not be helpful if your goal is to get the teacher to change their mind. If your teacher is genuinely being unfair, move on to Part 3.
If you are going through a hard time at home, sometimes it can help to have your parents talk to your teacher. Maybe there’s been a recent death in your family, it might help for your parents to communicate that to your teacher. Having a parent talk to your teacher will stop you from looking like you’re making excuses. If you think your teacher is being unfair, you should tell your parents. Your parents may be able to help the situation by getting involved.
This teacher may be able to talk with the other teacher that you’re in trouble with and get you out of detention. This teacher may be able to listen to the situation and help you understand why you were wrong. [7] X Research source
Principals are typically very busy, so don’t bother them about your detention until you’ve tried every other possible option. [8] X Research source
