She's searching for a way out!

[steady]

Now I'm wondering if she is envisioning a nasty divorce or if it was just a tactic to gain favor from the professor? Professor is female.

I would say it's probably this one. When I was a drunk in college I was often irresponsible about getting work done. I had mono, my grandmother died 4 times, got hit by a car, etc...

All BS to catch a break and get enabled for my irresponsibility. The funny thing is I never felt bad about spewing this BS. Wasn't till I got sober that I really realized what I was doing.