Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am writing a petition for a reevaluation for my fall term 2023 courses; HLTH 230 and COMM 250. During the summers of 2022-2023 I have experienced a lot of issues regarding my mental health and have only come into realization of the impact that it has been having on my academic performance. As I have experienced several episodes of anxiety and depression that have impacted my academics and daily life and the inability to focus on my academic responsibilities. After experiencing the passing of one of my close friends during the summer it has been difficult for me to focus ever since. I had also been in an extremely unhealthy relationship at the time where I had felt trapped and felt as though I was unable to leave. It took a massive toll on my confidence and communication skills which was only noticed when returning back to school. I had thought that I had been able to cope with my emotions and regulate myself during certain situations but it had not passed. The feeling of being persistently depressed, and being extremely tired when I was experiencing the symptoms of anxiety and depression impacted my everyday life. My drive and energy levels significantly decreased, which made it difficult for me to achieve deadlines and actively participate in class discussions. I would feel a great amount of guilt at night that it would impact my sleep and keep me up to the point where I would have sleepless nights. I would try to complete my assignment during these times which did not show my best work. Then waking up was extremely hard because of the lack of sleep which then would interfere with attending class and doing well on assignments and quizzes. My academic record makes it clear that these factors combined, have had a negative effect on my grades. I have been taking measures in order to decrease the impact it has been having on my academic performance. I have been getting professional help by using different services that are available at Queens as well as having a therapist. Both have been giving me advice on different strategies in order to cope with the extenuating circumstances as well as some medications. I have also been in contact with a few of my professors for other ways to help me with this. I understand that it is my personal responsibility to keep up with my assignments and deadlines. I am committed to keep taking the steps that are nesscary to properly manage my mental health as well as academics. If there are any other questions, concerns or a different route that I should follow through with please feel free to contact me.