Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 10886
Submitted: August 28, 2023 at 9:24:50 PM
First Name: Madison
Last Name: Williams
Pronoun: She/Her
Student Number: 20239378
Email: 20mpw@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BScH
Plan: LISC
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: August 28, 2023
Madison Paige Williams (Student Number 20239378)
229 Austinpaul Drive
Newmarket, Ontario, L3X 2C5
Associate Dean (Academic)
Queen’s University
Student Services, Firth Floor Dunning Hall
99 University Ave
Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson (Associate Dean, Academic):
My name is Madison Paige Williams student number 20239378, a current undergraduate student in the Faculty of Arts and Science. I am writing to appeal the decision of withdrawing from my program for 1 year, as the past few years of undergraduate studies were significantly affected by extenuating circumstances beyond my control.
In July 2019 my mom, Dropatty Williams was diagnosed with gastric cancer. In the span of 3 months, the gastric cancer rapidly deteriorated my mom’s health, causing immediate hospitalization. I provided care for my mom and my immediate family during this time. On September 26, 2019, my mom died from gastric cancer. For documentation of my mom’s passing, please visit https://lotusfuneralandcremation.com/tribute/details/724/Dropatthy-Williams/condolences.html#content-start
During my first year, my mental health rapidly declined, which had escalated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With minimal interactions, grieving the loss of my mom, and having to be a primary caregiver for my immediate family – such as meal preparations, grocery shopping, emotional support for my younger sister and dad, my academic work suffered immensely. I was not aware of how to navigate supports provided by Queen’s University and did not know how to begin these conversations.
I was re-enrolled in full-time undergraduate studies in September 2022, and although I was not completely successful with my courses, I felt an improvement in my study habits compared to previous years, which I am committed to working on this upcoming school year. I am currently re-engaged and ready to work on addressing my symptoms of depression and anxiety to better face my problems head on with my new psychotherapist. My relationship with my previous psychotherapist was inconsistent, leaving me feeling as though I was suffering alone. I have begun working with a new psychotherapist and have built a plan together. For further information on my mental health care feel free to connect with my psychotherapist, her name and contact information is: Radhika Chellaiah, email: radika@newmarkettherapy.com
Madison Paige Williams (Student Number 20239378)
229 Austinpaul Drive
Newmarket, Ontario, L3X 2C5
Associate Dean (Academic)
Queen’s University
Student Services, Firth Floor Dunning Hall
99 University Ave
Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson (Associate Dean, Academic):
My name is Madison Paige Williams student number 20239378, a current undergraduate student in the Faculty of Arts and Science. I am writing to appeal the decision of withdrawing from my program for 1 year, as the past few years of undergraduate studies were significantly affected by extenuating circumstances beyond my control.
In July 2019 my mom, Dropatty Williams was diagnosed with gastric cancer. In the span of 3 months, the gastric cancer rapidly deteriorated my mom’s health, causing immediate hospitalization. I provided care for my mom and my immediate family during this time. On September 26, 2019, my mom died from gastric cancer. For documentation of my mom’s passing, please visit https://lotusfuneralandcremation.com/tribute/details/724/Dropatthy-Williams/condolences.html#content-start
During my first year, my mental health rapidly declined, which had escalated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With minimal interactions, grieving the loss of my mom, and having to be a primary caregiver for my immediate family – such as meal preparations, grocery shopping, emotional support for my younger sister and dad, my academic work suffered immensely. I was not aware of how to navigate supports provided by Queen’s University and did not know how to begin these conversations.
I was re-enrolled in full-time undergraduate studies in September 2022, and although I was not completely successful with my courses, I felt an improvement in my study habits compared to previous years, which I am committed to working on this upcoming school year. I am currently re-engaged and ready to work on addressing my symptoms of depression and anxiety to better face my problems head on with my new psychotherapist. My relationship with my previous psychotherapist was inconsistent, leaving me feeling as though I was suffering alone. I have begun working with a new psychotherapist and have built a plan together. For further information on my mental health care feel free to connect with my psychotherapist, her name and contact information is: Radhika Chellaiah, email: radika@newmarkettherapy.com
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: I have completed a new academic plan, taking into consideration the supports I need to put in place to achieve my academic goals.
Components of my academic plan:
Course of study: I am going to change my course load, taking 1-2 courses per semester to ensure my workload is manageable. I am also going to change my interest of study to Health Studies and take the following courses for Fall/Winter 2023-2024 academic year: (HLTH 101, HLTH 102, PSYC 100, ANAT 100, and ANAT 101.). If I find these courses difficult to manage, I will ensure I drop them before the deadline and reevaluate my plan.
I will connect and register with the Accessibility Services with the help of my psychotherapist to be on reduced course load, and advocate for needed accommodations to manage workload and status of full-time student. Connect with psychological services if required to obtain a full psychological assessment to further support accommodations.
Strategies for success:
What challenges have you encountered and how will you address those in the future?
Grieving the loss of my mom is an ongoing process. This past year my symptoms of anxiety and depression have intensified, due to the lack of support I received from the psychotherapist I used to see. I am taking into consideration the institutional support available at Queen’s University which will have a positive impact on my overall academic success. These supports, along with my mental health care provided by my psychotherapist will contribute to a more wholesome plan to achieve my academic goals. Specifically, I will need to register with Accessibility Services to be on a reduced course load.
Another consideration in how I will address the challenges I have outlined include admitting to my housemates the struggles I have been experiencing; with my academics and my mental health so I can feel less alone, as well as pursuing my passion for golf with the Queen’s Golf Team to interact with peers that I share common interests with and the university community. This will address the isolation that I have been experiencing.
What skills do you need to build moving forward?
Integrating a holistic approach to my coping strategies and working closely with the supports I will put into place will contribute to my overall academic success. I have created a plan with my new psychotherapist Radhika Chellaiah to meet bi weekly to support my mental health during the academic term, which I was previously lacking with my other psychotherapist. I will be consistent in accessing mental health and executive functioning services.
I will also be building my communication skills by ensuring I contact my professors if I am struggling in their courses or with any of the material. This is something I have been negligent with in the past, but will ensure I receive any additional support needed.
What kind of support or resources do you plan to employ?
My new psychotherapist Radhika Chellaiah and I have created a plan to meet bi weekly to support my mental health during the academic term, which I was previously lacking with my other psychotherapist. I plan to register with Accessibility Services, this will provide support in completing my course work in a timely manner. I will meet with an Academic Advisor, and also get connected with on-campus mental health supports. Co-occurring with these supports, I will continue to see my therapist. I plan to be involved in peer-to-peer activities to get connected and have a sense of accountability and responsibility to the university community and completing my course work. I will do this depending on my capacity and will focus on my academic performance first.
Overcoming personal challenges which prevented my academic success:
Please review my statement at the beginning of this letter. Losing my mom has been a major life event which has impacted me in varying ways, along with my symptoms with depression and anxiety. I have an understanding that this will unfold in different ways and having these supports in place will ensure my academic success and overall well being.
Resources and next steps:
Please review the responses to the questions above. My immediate next steps are to make an appointment with Accessibility Services, and with Academic Advising.
Thank you for taking the time to review my appeal. If you need further information, please contact me at Email: 20mpw@queensu.ca phone number: 905-715-0996.
Most Sincerely,
Madison Paige Williams [electronically signed August 28, 2023]
Components of my academic plan:
Course of study: I am going to change my course load, taking 1-2 courses per semester to ensure my workload is manageable. I am also going to change my interest of study to Health Studies and take the following courses for Fall/Winter 2023-2024 academic year: (HLTH 101, HLTH 102, PSYC 100, ANAT 100, and ANAT 101.). If I find these courses difficult to manage, I will ensure I drop them before the deadline and reevaluate my plan.
I will connect and register with the Accessibility Services with the help of my psychotherapist to be on reduced course load, and advocate for needed accommodations to manage workload and status of full-time student. Connect with psychological services if required to obtain a full psychological assessment to further support accommodations.
Strategies for success:
What challenges have you encountered and how will you address those in the future?
Grieving the loss of my mom is an ongoing process. This past year my symptoms of anxiety and depression have intensified, due to the lack of support I received from the psychotherapist I used to see. I am taking into consideration the institutional support available at Queen’s University which will have a positive impact on my overall academic success. These supports, along with my mental health care provided by my psychotherapist will contribute to a more wholesome plan to achieve my academic goals. Specifically, I will need to register with Accessibility Services to be on a reduced course load.
Another consideration in how I will address the challenges I have outlined include admitting to my housemates the struggles I have been experiencing; with my academics and my mental health so I can feel less alone, as well as pursuing my passion for golf with the Queen’s Golf Team to interact with peers that I share common interests with and the university community. This will address the isolation that I have been experiencing.
What skills do you need to build moving forward?
Integrating a holistic approach to my coping strategies and working closely with the supports I will put into place will contribute to my overall academic success. I have created a plan with my new psychotherapist Radhika Chellaiah to meet bi weekly to support my mental health during the academic term, which I was previously lacking with my other psychotherapist. I will be consistent in accessing mental health and executive functioning services.
I will also be building my communication skills by ensuring I contact my professors if I am struggling in their courses or with any of the material. This is something I have been negligent with in the past, but will ensure I receive any additional support needed.
What kind of support or resources do you plan to employ?
My new psychotherapist Radhika Chellaiah and I have created a plan to meet bi weekly to support my mental health during the academic term, which I was previously lacking with my other psychotherapist. I plan to register with Accessibility Services, this will provide support in completing my course work in a timely manner. I will meet with an Academic Advisor, and also get connected with on-campus mental health supports. Co-occurring with these supports, I will continue to see my therapist. I plan to be involved in peer-to-peer activities to get connected and have a sense of accountability and responsibility to the university community and completing my course work. I will do this depending on my capacity and will focus on my academic performance first.
Overcoming personal challenges which prevented my academic success:
Please review my statement at the beginning of this letter. Losing my mom has been a major life event which has impacted me in varying ways, along with my symptoms with depression and anxiety. I have an understanding that this will unfold in different ways and having these supports in place will ensure my academic success and overall well being.
Resources and next steps:
Please review the responses to the questions above. My immediate next steps are to make an appointment with Accessibility Services, and with Academic Advising.
Thank you for taking the time to review my appeal. If you need further information, please contact me at Email: 20mpw@queensu.ca phone number: 905-715-0996.
Most Sincerely,
Madison Paige Williams [electronically signed August 28, 2023]
Documentation
Professional Letter: Letter from Therapist-0.pdf
History
Originally submitted August 28, 2023 at 9:24:50 PM.
| Field | Reference | Old Value | New Value | Note | User | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| status | N/A | Received | Withdrawn | Kerri Andrews | 2023-08-31 10:43:40 AM |