Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dean Crow,

My name is Mya Kotowick, and I am a first-year student at Queen’s University. I am writing to formally request an appeal for my grades from this past academic year. I am a dedicated and hardworking student with a strong passion for political science, and I aspire to become a lawyer to influence positive change in the world. However, I have faced significant challenges this year that have impacted my academic performance. I am seeking an opportunity to improve my grades to pursue my major, and I am petitioning to change the grades for SOCY 122B, FREN 118, GNDS 125, and GNDS 120 to “NG” (No Grade).

Challenges Faced This Year:

Over the past academic year, I have encountered unexpected and significant mental health challenges. Adjusting to living away from home for the first time, having a roommate, and adapting to university life have been difficult. The transition to a university course load, lectures, readings, and exams was challenging, amplified by my mental health struggles, which severely affected my academic progress.

My anxiety, which I have always managed, intensified significantly over the last year. I was unable to control it, leading to difficulty in completing coursework, attending lectures, and even interacting with friends. In late October, I sought help and began seeing a psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Russel. She recommended medication and counseling. However, the medication initially worsen my symptoms, increasing my anxiety and depression, and causing extreme lethargy and a lack of motivation.

Due to my anxiety and depression, I struggled to utilize the resources and support services at Queen’s. The overwhelming thought of asking for help led me to avoid it. I now realize that academic accommodations could have significantly helped me, but I did not know how to advocate for myself.

Steps Taken to Improve:

Throughout this period, I have been working closely with my psychiatrist and attending weekly therapy sessions. I am in the process of securing academic accommodations and have set up my profile, awaiting the submission of supporting documentation. I have also consulted with an academic advisor who provided resources and guidance on utilizing QSAS services.

Additionally, I have been communicating with my parents, who are supporting me with both my academic and health needs. They have recommended contacting an organizational coach to help me with strategies for staying motivated and organized, consulting an academic advisor regularly, and seeking mentorship opportunities.
My psychiatrist has suggested that if I am given the opportunity to redo the final assignment or assignments in POLS 110, it could positively impact my course grade and GPA, preventing the need to retake POLS 110 next academic year.

Thank you for taking the time to review my petition. I appreciate your consideration of my circumstances and believe that, with your support, I can overcome these challenges and succeed academically.

Sincerely,
Mya Kotowick