Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 12158
Submitted: July 29, 2024 at 11:32:34 PM
First Name: Melody
Last Name: Cao
Pronoun: she/her
Student Number: 20420932
Email: 23kjb@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSc
Plan: Physics
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Stephenson,
I am writing to you to petition the Faculty’s decision that I must withdraw from Queen’s for the 2024-2025 school year. First, I sincerely apologize for submitting this petition letter after the deadline. After the school year ended, I was too scared to face the results of my choices and avoided checking any school-related communications until last week. I believe that my academic performance was severely affected by my poor mental health, especially in the second semester.
Since high school, I have had issues with my mental health. As a result, I did not manage my schoolwork properly. During Grade 10, from February to August 2021, I worked with a social worker to learn how to cope better (a letter of proof is attached below). Using the skills I learned with her, I finished high school with no problems. However, these skills were no longer effective when I reached university. I had trouble adjusting to a different university environment, particularly the academic and social differences. I had no support network to ease the transition from high school.
Part of my difficulties adjusting to university included time management issues. Since I only took three courses during the first semester, I managed to keep up with schoolwork, though it was a struggle to do so. However, I took five courses during the second semester, which I was not prepared to deal with. In high school, I had never taken more than four courses at a time; thus, I was not able to manage five difficult university-level courses. In the future, I will restrict my course load until I learn what strategies work best for me.
Also, during the second semester, I struggled heavily with my mental health. The difficulties I listed above (adjusting to a new environment, time management issues) are common in many students. However, these struggles were compounded by my mental health issues. I was not even interested in activities I usually enjoyed; under these conditions, it was near impossible to force myself to do challenging schoolwork. I was both ashamed and scared to face how poorly I was doing, and I was especially ashamed to admit that I needed help. Thus, these issues went untreated and started in early February, getting worse throughout the semester. Since they were untreated, I do not have medical documentation. However, my brother witnessed my struggles and has verified that I had issues with my mental health in a letter attached below. As well, one of my professors reached out to me and was aware that I was struggling - I have attached some emails where I told him briefly about my situation.
Once again, I sincerely apologize for submitting my petition after the deadline. Thank you very much for your kind consideration and compassion. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Melody Cao
I am writing to you to petition the Faculty’s decision that I must withdraw from Queen’s for the 2024-2025 school year. First, I sincerely apologize for submitting this petition letter after the deadline. After the school year ended, I was too scared to face the results of my choices and avoided checking any school-related communications until last week. I believe that my academic performance was severely affected by my poor mental health, especially in the second semester.
Since high school, I have had issues with my mental health. As a result, I did not manage my schoolwork properly. During Grade 10, from February to August 2021, I worked with a social worker to learn how to cope better (a letter of proof is attached below). Using the skills I learned with her, I finished high school with no problems. However, these skills were no longer effective when I reached university. I had trouble adjusting to a different university environment, particularly the academic and social differences. I had no support network to ease the transition from high school.
Part of my difficulties adjusting to university included time management issues. Since I only took three courses during the first semester, I managed to keep up with schoolwork, though it was a struggle to do so. However, I took five courses during the second semester, which I was not prepared to deal with. In high school, I had never taken more than four courses at a time; thus, I was not able to manage five difficult university-level courses. In the future, I will restrict my course load until I learn what strategies work best for me.
Also, during the second semester, I struggled heavily with my mental health. The difficulties I listed above (adjusting to a new environment, time management issues) are common in many students. However, these struggles were compounded by my mental health issues. I was not even interested in activities I usually enjoyed; under these conditions, it was near impossible to force myself to do challenging schoolwork. I was both ashamed and scared to face how poorly I was doing, and I was especially ashamed to admit that I needed help. Thus, these issues went untreated and started in early February, getting worse throughout the semester. Since they were untreated, I do not have medical documentation. However, my brother witnessed my struggles and has verified that I had issues with my mental health in a letter attached below. As well, one of my professors reached out to me and was aware that I was struggling - I have attached some emails where I told him briefly about my situation.
Once again, I sincerely apologize for submitting my petition after the deadline. Thank you very much for your kind consideration and compassion. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Melody Cao
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: If I am permitted to return in September, I will take measures to ensure I perform better. These measures, or my academic plan are detailed in the following paragraphs. As mentioned, I will restrict my course load to four courses per semester or less, so that I am not overwhelmed. I have been in contact with Kim Gudlauski, the Dan School Undergraduate Advisor, to switch to the Bachelor of Music program, since I passed the audition. Thus, for the fall semester, I would like to take MUSC121 (Applied Study); my instrument of choice is piano. I would also like to take MUSC191 (Theory and Analysis) and MUSC127 (Ear Training and Sight Singing), since I have met the requirements of passing certain conservatory exams. The last course for the fall semester would be WRIT125 (Fundamentals of Academic Essay Writing), which I chose because I am interested in English as my second teachable subject (I hope to attend Teacher’s College after completing my undergraduate degree). I chose those particular music courses because I know I am strong in theory and ear training. For the winter semester, I will be continuing MUSC121 and MUSC191 as they are 6-unit courses. I would like to take MUSC103 as it is a required course for the Bachelor of Music specialization. I would also like to take CWRI100, for the same reason as WRIT125. To be in good academic standing, I must achieve a grade of at least 77% in all courses.
As for my personal study habits, I will track assignment deadlines via my phone’s calendar, and set alarms the day before assignments are due. Last year, I struggled with tracking assignment deadlines across various submission platforms, and I believe tracking them all in one place will help me stay on top of schoolwork. I will also share this calendar with either a friend or a family member, to help me stay accountable. As part of this system, I will also set alarms for tasks that do not have a due date but will help me understand course material better. Such tasks would be reviewing material (readings, past lecture notes) before each class, reviewing new content after each class, and doing extra practice questions. Finally, in classes with research-based projects, I will seek help from librarians. I believe this will help me work efficiently through a process that has always intimidated me.
Currently, my mental state is better, although I still struggle with some of the same issues occasionally. However, I am determined not to let them affect my academics again. To ensure this outcome, my mom and I have reached out to the social worker I worked with before for treatment again (proof in the first letter, from the professional). I will also use mental health resources offered by Queen’s, should I need support closer to home.
As for my personal study habits, I will track assignment deadlines via my phone’s calendar, and set alarms the day before assignments are due. Last year, I struggled with tracking assignment deadlines across various submission platforms, and I believe tracking them all in one place will help me stay on top of schoolwork. I will also share this calendar with either a friend or a family member, to help me stay accountable. As part of this system, I will also set alarms for tasks that do not have a due date but will help me understand course material better. Such tasks would be reviewing material (readings, past lecture notes) before each class, reviewing new content after each class, and doing extra practice questions. Finally, in classes with research-based projects, I will seek help from librarians. I believe this will help me work efficiently through a process that has always intimidated me.
Currently, my mental state is better, although I still struggle with some of the same issues occasionally. However, I am determined not to let them affect my academics again. To ensure this outcome, my mom and I have reached out to the social worker I worked with before for treatment again (proof in the first letter, from the professional). I will also use mental health resources offered by Queen’s, should I need support closer to home.
Documentation
Professional Letter: Letter for Queens MC.pdf
Document: CAO Eric Letter To Dr. Stephenson.pdf
Document: MC email to Jamie.png
Decision Letters
History
Originally submitted July 29, 2024 at 11:32:34 PM.
| Field | Reference | Old Value | New Value | Note | User | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| status | N/A | Received | In Review | Kerri Andrews | 2024-08-01 2:34:50 PM | |
| N/A | 23kjb@queensu.net | 23kjb@queensu.ca | Kerri Andrews | 2024-08-01 2:37:16 PM | ||
| professional_letter | N/A | Letter for Queens MC.pdf | Kerri Andrews | 2024-08-01 2:37:16 PM | ||
| status | N/A | In Review | Granted | Kerri Andrews | 2024-08-20 8:21:11 PM | |
| associate_dean | N/A | Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D. | Kerri Andrews | 2024-08-20 8:21:11 PM | ||
| decision_letter | N/A | N/A | Decision letter sent | Kerri Andrews | 2024-08-20 8:21:26 PM |