Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I’m reaching out to appeal for my grades from 2021 and the autumn semester of 2023. I want to share the details of the challenging circumstances I encountered back then, which have affected me both internal and externally.

Upon receiving my offer letter on May 28th, 2021, I realized that time was not on my side. The letter left me with little time to make necessary arrangements. Unfortunately, the deadlines for applying to take my courses off-site and securing on-site housing had already passed. As a result, I had to independently navigate finding accommodation and relocate from British Columbia to Ontario across Canada. Consequently, I had to have all my belongings mailed to Kingston and fly there with the rest. The tight schedule, combined with the challenges posed by the pandemic, made the entire process overwhelmingly stressful.

Upon arriving in Kingston after receiving my first vaccine dose in BC, I encountered difficulties in getting my second dose due to time constraints. The university then mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for all students, making it a requirement for attending regular lectures and TA sessions. Unfortunately, scheduling my second dose became complicated as the local workers were unable to confirm my initial vaccination in BC, leaving me in a state of uncertainty. This situation has caused significant stress as it hinders my ability to fulfill my responsibilities as a student, impacting my attendance and academic progress.

With all these harsh situations, the problem that kept hunting me was the lingering grief from my father’s sudden passing two years prior to 2021. His inheritance issues profoundly altered my family dynamic. They affected my mental well-being, as it caused me to be stuck in my hometown for a gap year and kept bothering me with legal problems, even during this difficult time. Though the availability of a self-test kit offered hope for me, I experienced a breakdown when facing the crowd during one attempt to retrieve it. I was overwhelmed by the pressure and experienced extreme panic, making it impossible for me to move forward. I had to get a taxi to help me return home, even though it was just 15 minutes’ walk.

I found myself unable to keep up with my academic responsibilities, leading me to avoid attending lectures and TA sessions as I grappled with increasing stress. The high expectations from my family made it hard for me to reach out for assistance, even though I knew I desperately needed it. I struggled to engage with the university's support services and eventually stopped seeking help altogether.
My condition deteriorated to the point where leaving my house became nearly impossible, and even basic tasks like logging into OnQ or checking school emails became challenging. This situation persisted until our university required me to withdraw for the first time in the summer of 2022. Despite trying to improve my situation, including seeking counseling from advisors and local clinics, my appeal was unsuccessful due to my delayed response.

During my time of withdrawal, I focused on self-improvement, engaging in new activities, and planning for the future. Instead of returning home, I stayed in Kingston and studied about what I’d missed before, the school resources I could have used, the libraries I should have learned at, and the galleries I could have seen; I began to realize just how much of a chance I was getting close to losing, and how much I should have done to avoid that. It was a heavy lesson for me, but from where I see it, it’s also necessary.

I made preparations to return to school in 2023, but I encountered some challenges along the way. In November, I got food poisoning, and the courses chosen by the agents I hired didn't suit me. Although I sought help from school resources, my request for extended accommodation was denied, leading to failing both midterms. Despite these difficulties, I utilized available resources and sought counseling when needed, which was invaluable in overcoming my challenges. I also consulted with a student wellness service expert, whose guidance led me to this appeal letter.

I am appealing my past grades because they resulted from a particularly challenging time marked by unusual events and personal struggles, many of which stemmed from unforeseen external incidents. I believe my progress this past semester is a strong indicator of my effort and commitment to continue my studies. My past grades are behind me, and I will use this chance. I hope to have the opportunity to demonstrate my progress further and avoid another withdrawal because of the grades I had in the past, which would significantly impact my life, both personally and academically.

Thank you for considering my appeal.