Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 12227
Submitted: September 2, 2024 at 3:42:47 PM
First Name: Diya
Last Name: Salian
Pronoun: she/her
Preferred Name: Diya
Student Number: 20406138
Email: 22bfd3@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSc
Plan: LISC
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request a review of instructors' decisions on grading of final examination and/or term work
Appeal Category Detail: Removal of grade from transcript
Code: PHYS 115
Term: Fall
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Request a review of instructors' decisions on grading of final examination and/or term work
Instructor's Name: Anne Topper
Section/Class Number: 001
Component: Mid and Final Exams
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: To whom it may concern,
I am writing this letter in order to petition for a reevaluation of my final grade for PHYS 115 from the fall term of 2023, or to request that my final grade be removed from my transcript. I am making this request due to mental health challenges that significantly impacted my performance in the course.
Throughout the fall term and the whole of my first year, I experienced a severe period of mental health difficulties. As an international student new to Canada, I struggled to find adequate support while dealing with intense homesickness and the absence of my family. Additionally, I had arrived two weeks late to university due to delays with my student visa. Despite my efforts to keep up with coursework while I was still at home, it was extremely challenging to adjust and integrate into the university environment after everyone else had already settled in.
I tried my best to continue with my studies, and even decided to drop another course that I was struggling with to focus more on physics, especially since I performed well on the assignments and labs. However, I faced significant difficulties during the examinations, which greatly affected my final grade. For my midterm exam I had become very ill, but I was unaware that I could submit academic considerations or access student wellness resources at that time. As a result, I took the midterm despite having a high fever on the day of the exam.Towards the end of the fall term I tried my best to finish strong, but I didn't perform well on the final exam.
I kindly ask for your understanding and consideration of my circumstances. Please let me know if I need to provide any other information.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Kind regards,
Diya Salian
I am writing this letter in order to petition for a reevaluation of my final grade for PHYS 115 from the fall term of 2023, or to request that my final grade be removed from my transcript. I am making this request due to mental health challenges that significantly impacted my performance in the course.
Throughout the fall term and the whole of my first year, I experienced a severe period of mental health difficulties. As an international student new to Canada, I struggled to find adequate support while dealing with intense homesickness and the absence of my family. Additionally, I had arrived two weeks late to university due to delays with my student visa. Despite my efforts to keep up with coursework while I was still at home, it was extremely challenging to adjust and integrate into the university environment after everyone else had already settled in.
I tried my best to continue with my studies, and even decided to drop another course that I was struggling with to focus more on physics, especially since I performed well on the assignments and labs. However, I faced significant difficulties during the examinations, which greatly affected my final grade. For my midterm exam I had become very ill, but I was unaware that I could submit academic considerations or access student wellness resources at that time. As a result, I took the midterm despite having a high fever on the day of the exam.Towards the end of the fall term I tried my best to finish strong, but I didn't perform well on the final exam.
I kindly ask for your understanding and consideration of my circumstances. Please let me know if I need to provide any other information.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Kind regards,
Diya Salian
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: To Whom it May Concern,
As mentioned in my petition letter I would like to request for the reevaluation of my final grade for PHYS 115 from fall of 2023. If the grade remains the same and is still not a passing grade. I would like to please request that the grade be dropped due to the circumstances outlined in the petition letter.
For this fall of 2024 I have enrolled myself in PHYS 115, so that I can improve my grade, as I need the credit for my degree. While I understand that the better grade is replaced in the calculation of my cumulative GPA. I would still prefer it if the current grade is removed from my transcript. I was recommended to request this by my bounce back mentor at Queen’s, who helped me find better strategies for studying and preparing for exams during the winter term. Having a mentor in the same program was extremely helpful, as it provided me with much needed support, and I noticed a slight improvement in my grades.
This year I am taking all core courses, and I was unable to fit an elective into my schedule. However, I have decided that if I feel the need to adjust my course load, I will consider dropping a class and adding a non-science elective within the first two weeks. I have also been exploring the possibility of changing my program to Health Sciences, which does not require physics. This is another reason why I am requesting for my grade to be removed from my transcript.
Moreover, I realized in the fall term of first year, I was solely focused on academics, which led to burnout. To prevent this, I have become more involved on campus this year. I am now a StuCon, and I plan on joining a basketball team or a ballet class. I also hope to volunteer at the QUIC, so that I can help support and welcome international students. This involvement will provide me with non academic activities to look forward to. Furthermore, I plan to start attending counseling at the student wellness center, so I can work on my mental health more and find additional support.
I hope my efforts to improve my academics and mental health will be considered in the decision regarding my grade.
Thank you so much for your understanding and consideration.
Kind regards,
Diya Salian
As mentioned in my petition letter I would like to request for the reevaluation of my final grade for PHYS 115 from fall of 2023. If the grade remains the same and is still not a passing grade. I would like to please request that the grade be dropped due to the circumstances outlined in the petition letter.
For this fall of 2024 I have enrolled myself in PHYS 115, so that I can improve my grade, as I need the credit for my degree. While I understand that the better grade is replaced in the calculation of my cumulative GPA. I would still prefer it if the current grade is removed from my transcript. I was recommended to request this by my bounce back mentor at Queen’s, who helped me find better strategies for studying and preparing for exams during the winter term. Having a mentor in the same program was extremely helpful, as it provided me with much needed support, and I noticed a slight improvement in my grades.
This year I am taking all core courses, and I was unable to fit an elective into my schedule. However, I have decided that if I feel the need to adjust my course load, I will consider dropping a class and adding a non-science elective within the first two weeks. I have also been exploring the possibility of changing my program to Health Sciences, which does not require physics. This is another reason why I am requesting for my grade to be removed from my transcript.
Moreover, I realized in the fall term of first year, I was solely focused on academics, which led to burnout. To prevent this, I have become more involved on campus this year. I am now a StuCon, and I plan on joining a basketball team or a ballet class. I also hope to volunteer at the QUIC, so that I can help support and welcome international students. This involvement will provide me with non academic activities to look forward to. Furthermore, I plan to start attending counseling at the student wellness center, so I can work on my mental health more and find additional support.
I hope my efforts to improve my academics and mental health will be considered in the decision regarding my grade.
Thank you so much for your understanding and consideration.
Kind regards,
Diya Salian
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC
History
Originally submitted September 2, 2024 at 3:42:47 PM.
| Field | Reference | Old Value | New Value | Note | User | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| status | N/A | Received | Withdrawn | Kerri Andrews | 2024-09-03 12:05:54 PM |