Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Appeal Letter

My Requests:

-I request to have Credit Standing for Drama 100


-I request permission to drop all failed courses: English 100, Film 110, History 122, Religious Studies 131


-I request a wavier of the requirement to withdraw from Queen's for 1 year


My Explanation:

Since Grade 4, I have known that my brain doesn't function like most other people's. I have trouble focusing, and I get distracted easily, even if I try hard to concentrate. I run out of steam doing assignments and writing exams, and often put in a poor performance, even when I'm really trying to keep my mind on the task. In elementary school, teachers kept on telling me that I was underachieving, and that I was capable of much better work and of better grades that I was getting (C+ and Bs). In Grade 7, I transferred to St. George's School in Vancouver, an excellent private school for boys. I hoped that with smaller classes and more academic support, I might do better. I continued to have problems with assignments and exams, which was very frustrating. I didn't think I was stupid, but I knew that something was wrong. In 2009, my parents consulted Dr. Gillian Reynolds, who gave me a serious of psychological tests and confirmed that I suffered from ADD (I will attach a copy of her diagnosis). I also went to my family doctor who prescribed me with medication to help me. Unfortunately, the drug took away my appetite, and I didn't like how it made me feel, so I stopped taking it. I now realize that was a mistake. The drug did help me focus but I was only eating 1-2 meals a day and I stopped taking them. I received counselling and support from my school. In Grades 10 and 11, my grades improved and in Grade 12 I was at Honour Roll level. I think my improved performance resulted in parts from my efforts, but it also owed a lot to the misplaced kindness of my teachers and school. They liked me, understood my problems and consistently allowed me to extend deadlines or hand in extremely late assignments with no consequences. I wish now they had been less helpful. As the decision to attend university came up, I believed that I was ready to move on as I thought university would be as easy as high school was for me. I see now that that was not the case. I have always been an intelligent person but I lacked the organization and focus that is a necessity in university. At first, I had enjoyed classes at Queen's but slowly began to lose focus and motivation to get work done. I started to become overwhelmed and assignments started stacking up. I didn't know what to do so I just gave up. I figured that if I just wait until the end of the year all my problems will magically disappear. This lack of motivation and the anonymity and freedom that exists in university really dragged me down throughout the year. Another major factor was the fact that I was housed in the West Campus. Due to the isolation of Jean Royce Hall, I would find myself staying in my room for days at a time. I realized the negative effect that West was having on my academics and health and applied for a move, but was never transferred. The last major mistake I made was lying to my friends and family about my academics and personal issues. Looking back, I wish I had been more honest with my friends and seemed help from them rather than lie and pretend everything is fine. I tried to solve all my problems myself and only ended up with more problems. Up until now I have lived a sheltered life, free from real life responsibility and hard work. I realize now that that was a fairy tale and that I really need to keep myself motivated in order to succeed at Queen's.