Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To Dr. Jenn Stephenson, Associate Dean (Academic)
I hope this letter finds you well. I’m Andjelija Prekic, a graduating transfer student in the Queen’s biology department, and I’m writing to open a petition regarding my academic transcript for the 2022-23 school year.
In short, I’m asking for a late drop (DR) from the following classes:

1. MATH 124 – Differential and Integral Calculus II (Winter 2023)
2. BIOL 369 – Sex and Evolution (Winter 2023)

Additionally, I would like to apply for credit standing (CR) for the grades below:
1. BIOL 422 – Conservation Biology (Winter 2023)
2. BIOL 440 – Speciation & Macroevolution (Fall 2022)
3. BIOL 339 – Animal Physiology (Fall 2022)

In November of 2022, I suddenly felt the onset of what was later diagnosed as a major depressive episode. I developed severe symptoms of anxiety, as well as regular panic attacks. These made daily functioning challenging, and all dimensions of my academics suffered. I can remember many instances of sitting in a class or in the library, and being so overcome with panic that I was brought to tears, and felt compelled to leave. These symptoms also affected my patterns of sleep, nutrition, and interpersonal conduct, which all had their indirect impact on my academics.

I do not consider this period as reflective of my abilities as a student; looking through my transcript, you can see a precipitous decline as my symptoms began. The year I transferred to Queen’s, for example, I received the Helen Arliss Denyes in-course scholarship for academic excellence in the biology program, while my grades in the 2022-23 school year look like they came from another student entirely.

To ensure I do not repeat the performance of those two semesters, I have sought help from Student Wellness Services as well as my family doctor. I have had many counselling meetings with Emily Blacker, who helped me alleviate my acute distress toward the end of the Winter 2023 semester; she also helped me access QSAS accommodations and administered initial assessments (attached) which point out my severe anxiety and moderate-to-severe depression. My family doctor has prescribed me SSRIs, which have already worked wonders in the few months I’ve been taking them. Lastly, I’m enrolled in a reduced courseload in which I’m already performing better, and I plan to retake MATH 124 in a much-improved headspace.

This experience has made me confident in my ability to manage my health and balance my academics going forward. I’ve learned new coping mechanisms, and I know how to work with QSAS, my counselor, and my family doctor if my condition worsens again. I certainly have learned the hard lesson not to wait so long to attend to my mental health.

Thank you for your time in reading and considering my petition, and I look forward to your reply.
Andjelija Prekic