Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Sam Bak

20295163



Dear Dr. Stephenson,



I hope this finds you well. I am petitioning to drop HIST 243 (Fall, 2022), WRIT 120 (Winter, 2023) and HIST 230 (Winter, 2023).

In the fall of 2023, I was struggling with my anxiety and did drop my course load to three courses. I attended the HIST 243 classes, but I struggled with my anxiety at various times throughout this course. I do have accommodations and did not request extensions on the assignments as I have been really trying to work through my anxiety and get assignments submitted. I completed most of the quizzes and a decent amount of work on all the assignments, but I was having a tough time asking for help during the course. At the end of the course, I communicated with Professor Greenfield about an ‘incomplete. Professor Greenfield was not able to grant one at the late stage and I do agree with him. He also felt adding the stress of completing the course on top of my winter courses is not wise. Professor Greenfield said he would support a late drop and encouraged me to apply.

My grandfather passed away unexpectedly on February 7th. He was one of the closest people in my life. I had been sick with the flu around this time, but I was still trying to keep up with classes and focus on assignments. I had to leave early before break for my grandfather’s funeral on the 16th. Once back at school, I tried to catch up with assignments. I did drop 2 courses but wanted to do well on the remaining 3. I started to feel sick in March but thought it was due to my grandfather and stress. Around March 19th I was feeling run down and thought it was the flu. I tried to go to classes when I could, and I went to the Queens health centre on March 22nd. They gave me a strep throat test that was negative. I would go to the library if I could not physically make it to class. By the weekend I still had a fever, and I was getting worse rather than better. I had a hard time swallowing and my head and jaw were throbbing. My mom picked me up and brought me home to Toronto. I saw the doctor on March 27, and they suspected a ‘peritonsillar abscess’ that needed to be removed right away. That night they removed the abscess at the hospital, and I started antibiotics and pain meds. I recovered at home but wanted to get back to school as I was worried about assignments and being behind.

I did communicate with my professors and advisor during this time, but it was a challenge to catch up on the missed assignments. I did my later assignments when possible and exams. I was granted an ‘incomplete’ in HIST 299. I requested one for WRIT 120 with my advisor's help, but I was a week late and with some back and forth it was not granted. Professor Vos said she would support a late drop. I did not ask for an incomplete with HIST 230 as I felt it would be better to request a late drop.

I had a challenging year last year and I do feel that I am better at managing my anxiety. The second semester started off well. It was a difficult semester dealing with the sudden loss of my grandfather and throat/surgery issues and the challenge of asking for help in a timely fashion. I was feeling overwhelmed and ill, and I delayed asking for help in the hope that I would be up to it the next day. I do not like to ask for too much as it feels like a burden sometimes. I really tried to keep up with what I could. I started to take 2 extra courses in the summer but decided it would be wiser to rest and reset. I am committed to develop and follow a plan for succeeding this year with academic advisors. I am really excited and look forward to my courses this year.


Thank you for the opportunity to apply for a late drop on these courses.



Sincerely,

Sam Bak

20295163