Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Sharaf Khan
20218961
sharaf.khan@queensu.ca
(343) 580-3269
August 18, 2023

Dear Associate Dean,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to request compassionate consideration for the challenges I experienced over the past two academic years that significantly affected my academic performance. I am appealing for course drops, credit standings, and extension of incomplete grade for multiple grades on my transcript based on my extenuating circumstances.

I respectfully request to drop the following courses: CHEM 281 F21, BCHM 218 F21, RELS 255, PHGY 216 W22 and W23, STAT 263, COMM 221, and PSYC 370. Additionally, I seek a credit standing for PHGY 215, CHEM 281 S22, COMM 231, BCHM 218 S23, and PHYS 118 . Lastly, I request an extension of an incomplete grade for PHIL 259, for which I have already completed other courses from the past year and have the agreement of the instructor, as supported by the documentation attached (please note I did not have space to add PHYS 118 [CR] and PHIL 259 [IN] under the Course Review Details page and would humbly request to include those courses to this appeal).

Over the past two academic years, I have experienced significant challenges in my personal life which have adversely affected my ability to perform to the best of my abilities. My mental well-being was severely impacted and, consequently, my academic performance. The culmination of depression, anxiety, ADHD complications, and Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria created an environment in which I struggled immensely to maintain my academic commitments. My depression was so severe that it led to suicidal thoughts last year and I had to be prescribed antidepressants and anxiety medication. I have also worked hard to cope with these challenges
by attending therapy, counselling, and receiving the support of my medical practitioners. As of now, I am pleased to report that I am currently off antidepressants, my ADHD medication is being accurately adjusted under Dr. Weiss from SWS and will be set before the beginning of next semester, and I have been making significant progress through therapy and counselling. My ability to manage my mental health has improved significantly.

Over the past two years, I struggled significantly with individual assignments, seeking help, and staying engaged with my courses. I had trouble focusing on my studies and found it challenging to cope with my mental health issues while trying to stay on top of my academic demands. I also had difficulty managing my time and balancing academic and non-academic activities. It is for these reasons that I am seeking consideration. I understand the importance of providing a transparent timeline of the events that led to my academic difficulties. My mental health issues began to worsen at the start of the academic year in September 2021 and continued throughout the past two years. Despite my best efforts to manage my mental health and continue my studies, the situation only intensified and left me overwhelmed. It was only through professional intervention and support that I have now reached a stage of significant improvement.

My efforts to address these challenges have included seeking the support of Student
Wellness Services (SWS) and Queen's Student Accessibility Services (QSAS). I have actively participated in academic and personal counselling sessions, improving my academic skills and work habits by consulting with learning strategists, countless therapy sessions off-campus, and have even taken medication to help manage my depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Recently, I was approved to discontinue my antidepressant and anxiety medication, as evidenced by Dr. Weiss's approval from SWS.

To provide evidence of my progress, I have completed both summer courses (9 credits) and have managed to finish outstanding coursework from the past academic year, accumulating to a total of 16 credits. Although there is still room for improvement, these accomplishments are a testament to my commitment to my academic journey and my determination to succeed in the face of adversity. I have a renewed focus and motivation to pursue my degree, and I am confident in my ability to continue improving academically moving forward.

My long-term plan for achieving academic success involves taking a lighter course load, attending office hours regularly, seeking mentorship through peer tutoring services, and engaging in career counselling and academic advising. I have redirected my career goals, which require me to graduate in two years, giving me strong motivation to avoid any further academic setbacks. I have also consulted with a learning strategist, prepared for a psycho-educational assessment, and attended on-campus workshops to address my academic skills and work habits.

To provide evidence of my progress, I have completed and passed both summer courses (9 credits) and have managed to finish outstanding coursework from the past academic year, including a 6-credit course in which I am told to have received a B grade. I have a renewed focus and motivation to pursue my degree, and I am confident in my ability to perform well academically moving forward.

I apologize for not dropping the aforementioned courses earlier and for any delay in bringing this matter to your attention. The impact of my mental health on my academics was beyond my control, and I hope for your understanding and compassionate consideration.

Please note that I will be submitting a letter of documentation from a professional at Queen's Student Wellness Services, confirming the information provided in this appeal. I am committed to ensuring my academic journey remains on track with renewed focus and strength and will leverage the support and resources available to me.

Thank you for considering my petition. I am determined to make the most of the opportunity to continue my studies at Queen's University, and I am eager to demonstrate my capabilities and resilience.

Sincerely,

Sharaf Khan
20218961