Take responsibility for your choices. Rather than making excuses for why they should not be held accountable for the same work as their classmates, these lazy students should stand up straight and receive the D they deserve. Whining to professors after the fact only proves an annoyance to teachers who would rather devote their time to dedicated students, and it is demeaning to the University as a whole. Those students who confront real problems certainly deserve some compassion. However, they should also be expected to demonstrate some maturity.
Bad things happen to good people at inopportune times.
It is just the way life works, and in the real world one's misfortunes cannot be used as excuses. It is time to grow up and deal with one's problems and get the required work done. Students should spend this weekend studying hard for their finals and finishing papers. Some will realize their devotion to hedonism all quarter has left them ill-prepared. Don't make excuses.