Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To whom it may concern,

I underwent the worst years of my life as a consequence of a lack of understanding. Failing to understand my own body, my neurological and psychological deficits, and my capability to navigate such burdens. To begin, I started to take Isotretinoin (Epuris) for around a year. This was a mistake on my part, because unbeknownst to me, I was under the affliction of persistent depressive disorder. My clinical psychologist as of recent had informed me that I have been struggling with PDD since grade 7, but I had always mistaken it for a missed diagnosis for ADHD. Under that idea, my actions have been counterproductive to what someone with persistent depressive disorder should have been dealing with from the start. After taking isotretinoin, my depression was heightened (a side effect of said medication). I stopped going outside, my vitamin D levels plummeted. I missed classes, tutorials, assignments, and I was under the impression that these feelings of mine were only transient. To add insult to injury, I was recently also diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder, which would explain my reluctance to deal with people, lab-mates, and even informing professors about my challenges. Around November, I developed this incessant case of migraines, which further fueled this nightmare. I thought to myself that I could just delay all examinations with academic consideration, but come January, my state of mind degraded to depths I wouldn't dare justify. My second semester was plagued with the aforementioned disorders, and my performance could be considered a carbon copy of everything I could accomplish during the first semester.

After all was said and done, I was in the same predicament for most of my summer, until I decided to muster up some will and seek psychological/psychiatric assistance. An open psychological evaluation was conducted in August of 2024 within BeWell clinics. Once I received my diagnoses from their director of psychology, everything made sense to me. Every action I took since the start of the semester was an adverse reaction to my existing disorders. Upon receiving my documentation, I decided to follow through with the recommendations of my report and reach out to psychiatric services. I have currently been taking Bupropion (since September 7), yet the desired effect is only established within the fourth week of using the drug (which would be within the first week of October). This is partly the reason as to why I decided not to apply/re-apply for courses within this semester, as I did not want to slip back into old habits. Additionally, I have started to take psychotherapy sessions with the director to help bring focus to my life and construct an ideal state of mind. To ensure none of these incidents repeat themselves, I have round-the-clock psychological/psychiatric assistance. My disorders will no longer be a barrier to my academics, and I apologize that they ever were in the first place.

To conclude, I ask that you extend me the grace I once thought I did not deserve. I apologize for my apathy in the matter and for not reaching out sooner. I had to take the time needed to seek these diagnoses and documentation to vindicate myself, and to receive consideration/accessibility services.


With hopes for brighter days,

Mazin