Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Willow Cox
20291528
Arts & Sciences
I am writing to request the requirement for me to withdraw for 1 year to be waived.
A year ago, I submitted a petition to waive this same academic penalty after failing to raise my GPA past the expectations that had been laid out to me. At the time of submitting my previous petition, I was newly on several medications that I believe I need to be able to do my best in university. After a few months of my first medication to manage my anxiety, it still was not mitigating my symptoms in a way I thought would be suitable for university. On July 25th, I spoke to my physician and we collectively decided to try an upped dosage. During the summer, this was suitable. Come September, after approximately a month of classes, I realized I would likely do better on another medication. Specifically, I was finding it incredibly difficult to attend tutorials. I could not get ahold of my doctor to book another appointment until January 11th, by which time I had failed two classes from the fall semester. I did not anticipate my grade point before the add/drop date for the fall term, and by the end of the semester was too anxious and embarrassed to communicate my failings to my professors. I realize this was a mistake, and I sincerely regret not doing more proactively. After my appointment on January 11th, I switched to an entirely different medication. I had an adverse reaction to this medication, which impeded my ability to attend and participate in classes properly. Specifically, I found it incredibly difficult to attend classes and tutorials in person and found myself panicking after simply leaving my apartment. On February 13th I contacted my physician again, begging to switch medication. I had an adverse reaction to the medication I had been changed to, resulting in a near suicide attempt. On March 21st I contacted my doctor again, and I switched to the medication I am on now. This medication seems to be a better fit and has helped me come to a much safer state of mind. However, by the time I was adjusted to this medication, it was functionally the end of winter term. In my previous petition, I outlined what I would do if allowed back. This included speaking regularly with student success and academic services and booking myself to speak regularly with a mental health professional. I am in the process of finding a therapist who fits well for me, and I will make sure I have my medication situation sorted by September at the latest. I will be doing both of these things regardless of if my petition is granted. If allowed back in September, I will book myself in regularly with academic services and student success, and create a hands-on and proactive approach to achieving academic success. Additionally, I will speak to the alternative learning specialist and see if she has any additional suggestions that may help me. Lastly, I firmly believe I can raise my GPA by dropping to a part-time course load and focusing on courses I believe I can do well in. To be more specific, I have found that I’m especially interested in Development Studies (specifically women in development-centered courses), and have found greater academic success in this area. I firmly believe that by learning how to efficiently utilize the resources available to me, creating a mental health treatment plan that is effective for me, actively communicating with my professors and centering my course load on subjects I am passionate about I can achieve academic success. I am beyond appreciative that the penalty given to me was only one year instead of three, and I recognize that this was an incredibly kind compromise as-is. With that said, if allowed I would deeply appreciate another chance to prove myself and make significant progress in my academic career by returning to studies in the Fall. Thank you sincerely for your kindness and your time.
Willow Cox