Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Petition to Late Drop Courses for Fall, 2023

Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,

I, Serafim Kotyarov, appeal to late drop the following courses for Fall 2023: KNPE 265, KNPE 251, and KNPE 261. I appeal to drop KNPE 265 because, due to unforeseen circumstances, I did not have enough time to study for this course. I also appeal to drop KNPE 251 because I experienced a severe decline in my mental health and cognitive capacity prior to my exams.

During the semester, two issues consumed the time that I should have spent studying, and I believe that although they were within my control, I had a hard time foreseeing their temporal consequences and the need to engage with them differently. Firstly, I experienced anxiety relating to my inability to engage in activities that I valued. As I discovered various activities that I cherished, I also faced the problem of my schedule not accounting for these activities. So, I sought to address this source of anxiety by re-examining my schedule and trying to create time for them. However, this process took a great deal of time and squandered the time that I should have spent studying. I now realize that although it was reasonable for me to address this dilemma, I should have done so in a way that didn’t interfere with my studies. However, it was especially difficult to realize my immediate priorities because I have obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, which presents such challenges as obsessions over schedules and lists. Having been diagnosed with this condition after the matter, it was difficult for me to realize my need to engage with my obsessive tendencies differently. Going forward, I will try to be more cognisant of my obsessive tendencies and avoid hyper-fixating on the minutiae of my schedule and instead recognize my actual priorities that align with my long-term goals.

Secondly, in October, a close friend moved in for what I anticipated would be a brief period but ended up being almost two months. He had recently split with his partner after an almost five-year relationship and was devasted; however, there was still a chance to mend the relationship. So, I sought to give him advice and reassurance, which resulted in lengthy conversations. Already having had many commitments like varsity water polo, attending Church, and doing private tutoring, this additional commitment came at the cost of my studies. Granted, I did also seek my friends’ advice on matters like my own heartbreak, but most of our time together was spent with me counselling him. Although I do not regret supporting my friend, I now realize that it should not have come at the cost of school. Instead, I should have spent less time on other activities like water polo but still maintained my study routine. As previously mentioned, although I could have made this adjustment during the semester, it was hard for me to anticipate the consequences, and therefore, the necessity of making sacrifices elsewhere. However, I must be honest with how much time these issues actually cost and also acknowledge the role that my lack of discipline played. This is why I only plea to late drop KNPE 265 for the aforementioned reasons.

Furthermore, prior to my exams, I experienced a severe cognitive decline and mental health issues, which is why I appeal to drop KNPE 251 and KNPE 261. These issues manifested as information-processing difficulties and obsessive-compulsive tendencies that severely impacted my day-to-day life and my ability to study effectively. As a result, I could not effectively prepare for my upcoming exams. I was planning to write my exams during the deferred exam period, but these issues persisted, making it difficult to study effectively over the winter break. However, I must also acknowledge my lack of prioritization and indiscipline over the winter break, whereby I could have prepared for at least one exam (ANAT 315) instead of engaging in these less important activities. Considering that I had exams for ANAT 315, KNPE 265, KNPE 251, and KNPE 261 and must accept a fail for ANAT 315 as a consequence of my aforementioned shortcomings, I appeal to drop KNPE 265 (because of the challenges I faced during the semester) and KNPE 251 and KNPE 261 (because of difficulties preparing for my exams with my cognitive and mental health decline). Since the onset of my mental health issues, I have sought psychotherapy treatment and am implementing lifestyle changes. Although progress has been slow, I have been improving nonetheless and hope to overcome these challenges within the next year.

Dr. Stephenson, I ask for a compassionate response to the issues that I faced. As a young adult still learning how to live, I was inexperienced with prioritization and so did not foresee that I should have addressed the aforementioned challenges differently. Furthermore, my inability to prioritize was exacerbated by my OCPD. And with my severe mental health and cognitive decline towards the end of the semester, almost every facet of my life—including studying— became wearisome. This is why I plea to late drop KNPE 265, KNPE 251, and KNPE 261.

Sincerely,
Serafim Kotyarov (20267608)