Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 10669
Submitted: June 13, 2023 at 12:54:47 AM
First Name: Mehar
Last Name: Caur
Pronoun: she/her
Student Number: 20272423
Email: 20mc68@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSH
Plan: Undeclared
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline, Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Code: BIOL103
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Academic),
My name is Mehar Caur and I am petitioning the Faculty’s decision that I withdraw from Queen’s for a minimum of one year and that my failed courses be dropped from my transcript (MATH110, MATH120, GPHY101, BIOL102), alongside a late drop for BIOL103. Due to my mental health condition for which I now have a QSAS Accommodation, I could not fulfill many of my academic duties to the best of my abilities. During my first year at Queen’s University (September 2021 - May 2022), I struggled with various mental health issues that were at the time undiagnosed, alongside self-harm - due to elevated stress with domestic familial issues. At this time, I attempted to discuss these issues with my immediate family, however, due to my culture and family values, these attempts were not taken seriously in regard to getting the help I felt I required. A year ago I did not have the means to try and afford the help that I needed on my own (getting a referral, costs, etc). I also have come to see that not being taken seriously by my family put me in a deeper spiral and state of denial, without which perhaps I would have at that time looked further into accessing these services through Queen’s Student Wellness Services.
During this first year at Queen’s University, my condition prevented me from performing at my peak, along with the added stress of familial issues and the shift to university. At this time I was experiencing a lack of appetite, lack of motivation, depressed moods, suicidal thoughts, and the inability to think clearly. I would wake up and the mere basics were a struggle for me, just getting out of bed, eating, etc. I would spend 2-3 weeks on end confined to my room - in residence, without leaving, unable to get out of bed due to how I was feeling. At one point, I was reached out to by Queen’s concerning my health due to my lack of TAM, Flex dollars, and dining hall use during one of these periods. These feelings and the lack of control I felt, prevented me from attending classes as I was severely sleep deprived, suffering from poor nutrition, and unable to focus and complete assessments; my feelings of depression made it difficult for me to perform even the most basic of tasks which disrupted my routines. This paired with my lack of a support system ruined my self-esteem and gave me difficulty following through with tasks and submitting assignments.
Earlier this year I was able to find the help I needed and afford to get a diagnosis myself, through which I was then diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, and ADHD. My follow-ups with a mental health care professional have allowed me to further work on recovering from my first year, alongside cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), submitting documentation and registering for QSAS, and beginning medication to help manage my condition. At this time, I do have deferred exams due to unforeseen side effects of a new medication I began that caused adverse effects, however, I am in contact with my professors and have since been doing better, and will be writing these exams at the first given opportunity. Cognitive behavioural therapy and frequent follow-ups with my doctor are now a part of my monthly routine and have been effective in helping me to learn to manage my condition and function as I would usually. What I experienced last year has traumatized me - I felt at a loss, and receiving the professional support that I have needed since has allowed me to start to return to some level of normalcy and gain insight into self-regulation in terms of my condition.
Regards,
Mehar Caur
My name is Mehar Caur and I am petitioning the Faculty’s decision that I withdraw from Queen’s for a minimum of one year and that my failed courses be dropped from my transcript (MATH110, MATH120, GPHY101, BIOL102), alongside a late drop for BIOL103. Due to my mental health condition for which I now have a QSAS Accommodation, I could not fulfill many of my academic duties to the best of my abilities. During my first year at Queen’s University (September 2021 - May 2022), I struggled with various mental health issues that were at the time undiagnosed, alongside self-harm - due to elevated stress with domestic familial issues. At this time, I attempted to discuss these issues with my immediate family, however, due to my culture and family values, these attempts were not taken seriously in regard to getting the help I felt I required. A year ago I did not have the means to try and afford the help that I needed on my own (getting a referral, costs, etc). I also have come to see that not being taken seriously by my family put me in a deeper spiral and state of denial, without which perhaps I would have at that time looked further into accessing these services through Queen’s Student Wellness Services.
During this first year at Queen’s University, my condition prevented me from performing at my peak, along with the added stress of familial issues and the shift to university. At this time I was experiencing a lack of appetite, lack of motivation, depressed moods, suicidal thoughts, and the inability to think clearly. I would wake up and the mere basics were a struggle for me, just getting out of bed, eating, etc. I would spend 2-3 weeks on end confined to my room - in residence, without leaving, unable to get out of bed due to how I was feeling. At one point, I was reached out to by Queen’s concerning my health due to my lack of TAM, Flex dollars, and dining hall use during one of these periods. These feelings and the lack of control I felt, prevented me from attending classes as I was severely sleep deprived, suffering from poor nutrition, and unable to focus and complete assessments; my feelings of depression made it difficult for me to perform even the most basic of tasks which disrupted my routines. This paired with my lack of a support system ruined my self-esteem and gave me difficulty following through with tasks and submitting assignments.
Earlier this year I was able to find the help I needed and afford to get a diagnosis myself, through which I was then diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, and ADHD. My follow-ups with a mental health care professional have allowed me to further work on recovering from my first year, alongside cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), submitting documentation and registering for QSAS, and beginning medication to help manage my condition. At this time, I do have deferred exams due to unforeseen side effects of a new medication I began that caused adverse effects, however, I am in contact with my professors and have since been doing better, and will be writing these exams at the first given opportunity. Cognitive behavioural therapy and frequent follow-ups with my doctor are now a part of my monthly routine and have been effective in helping me to learn to manage my condition and function as I would usually. What I experienced last year has traumatized me - I felt at a loss, and receiving the professional support that I have needed since has allowed me to start to return to some level of normalcy and gain insight into self-regulation in terms of my condition.
Regards,
Mehar Caur
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Dear Associate Dean (Academic),
Throughout this letter, I have detailed my academic plan for success in the 2023-2024 school year. My desired degree plan is a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, although I am not currently enrolled in this degree plan I have looked at the plan requirements and discussed my options with an academic advisor. Given my current GPA I understand the effect my first-year courses have had, and prior to receiving my letter of withdrawal for one year, was planning on appealing those courses based on my condition during that year.
I do not have any incomplete work outstanding for the 2022-2023 school year, however, I do have deferred exams for two courses due to a sudden unforeseen side effect of medication I was on last month. For both of these courses, I have already reached out to the professors and have scheduled a confirmed time to write these exams. I do occasionally work part-time during the school year but have taken a break for the time being to focus on my condition and figure out how to best manage its effects to complete my academic responsibilities and duties.
The challenges that I faced in my courses over the last year and a half have been due to the effects of my major depression and ADHD, for which I now have monthly check-ins with my healthcare professional, alongside cognitive behavioural therapy, and will soon be restarting with a new medication after last month. Cognitive behavioural therapy will help me to manage my mood, feelings, and behaviour by changing how I approach them when affected by my condition. It will help me to build skills that will allow me to continue with my regular schedule, complete my academic duties, and adhere to my productive habits in life, and for them to be less disrupted by the recurring difficult periods characteristic of my mental health conditions. This will be further aided by the medication I will be taking and the monthly sessions with my healthcare professional. I have also registered with QSAS and have discussed my situation and any required accommodations with my advisor - which have now been approved for 5 years.
The information above details my academic plan of action for going forward with my degree at Queen’s University, alongside my motivation to appeal my withdrawal decision by the Faculty of Arts and Science. I would genuinely appreciate the opportunity to have a fresh start now that I have understood what was going on with me and have taken the appropriate steps to get professional help.
Sincerely,
Mehar Caur
Throughout this letter, I have detailed my academic plan for success in the 2023-2024 school year. My desired degree plan is a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, although I am not currently enrolled in this degree plan I have looked at the plan requirements and discussed my options with an academic advisor. Given my current GPA I understand the effect my first-year courses have had, and prior to receiving my letter of withdrawal for one year, was planning on appealing those courses based on my condition during that year.
I do not have any incomplete work outstanding for the 2022-2023 school year, however, I do have deferred exams for two courses due to a sudden unforeseen side effect of medication I was on last month. For both of these courses, I have already reached out to the professors and have scheduled a confirmed time to write these exams. I do occasionally work part-time during the school year but have taken a break for the time being to focus on my condition and figure out how to best manage its effects to complete my academic responsibilities and duties.
The challenges that I faced in my courses over the last year and a half have been due to the effects of my major depression and ADHD, for which I now have monthly check-ins with my healthcare professional, alongside cognitive behavioural therapy, and will soon be restarting with a new medication after last month. Cognitive behavioural therapy will help me to manage my mood, feelings, and behaviour by changing how I approach them when affected by my condition. It will help me to build skills that will allow me to continue with my regular schedule, complete my academic duties, and adhere to my productive habits in life, and for them to be less disrupted by the recurring difficult periods characteristic of my mental health conditions. This will be further aided by the medication I will be taking and the monthly sessions with my healthcare professional. I have also registered with QSAS and have discussed my situation and any required accommodations with my advisor - which have now been approved for 5 years.
The information above details my academic plan of action for going forward with my degree at Queen’s University, alongside my motivation to appeal my withdrawal decision by the Faculty of Arts and Science. I would genuinely appreciate the opportunity to have a fresh start now that I have understood what was going on with me and have taken the appropriate steps to get professional help.
Sincerely,
Mehar Caur
Documentation
Professional Letter: MC Physician Note.pdf
Document: Physician Note Letterhead.pdf