Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Background:

I have struggled with anxiety and depression for most of my life. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated my condition, leading to a rapid deterioration in my mental health. Despite my efforts to manage my symptoms through therapy and self-care, the transition back to in-person learning in Kingston was overwhelming.
During my third year (2022-2023), my mental health significantly deteriorated, resulting in my decision to defer the year due to severe thoughts of self-harm and suicide. This period of deferral allowed me to seek additional therapy and improve my self-care practices, which I hoped would enable me to better manage my academic responsibilities upon my return.

Challenges in the Fall 2023 Semester:

When the fall semester of 2023 began, I felt prepared to handle the stress of a full course load. I understood there would be an adjustment period having been off of schooling for 8 months. I anticipated that I would be able to adjust, but I was unable to. I faced considerable difficulties, particularly in courses with high-stakes exams and individual assignments. I perform my best in group-oriented assignments, which provide a supportive structure for managing my workload. In contrast, BCHM315/316, which relied heavily on quizzes and exams, were particularly challenging and contributed to significant stress and anxiety.

My struggles were compounded by the heavy weight of exams in BCHM315/316, which triggered a severe mental health crisis. During the winter semester, I continued to struggle completing individual assignments on time, with many of them finished last minute or submitted incomplete. I eventually asked for an extension on an end of semester assignment for my PHGY 355 course, which ate into my exam study time. Because of my self-doubt, I felt very unprepared for BCHM 316 compared to my other classes, leading me to defer two of my exams.
Despite my attempt to mitigate the impact by pro-rating my final exam weight and defer it to later in the summer, I was unable to overcome the daunting number of the exam’s weight.

**Specific Incident**:

During the BCHM316 final exam, I encountered a particularly distressing situation. After I wrote my first deferred exam and before the BCHM 316 final’s start time, I experienced severe stress-induced symptoms that led to bowel issues, causing me to arrive late. Upon starting the exam, I experienced a mental block and was unable to concentrate effectively. This resulted in me finishing the exam early, with multiple questions left blank. I have a sick note that corroborates this incident and further details the impact of my mental health on my performance.
Steps Taken and Future Plans
Recognizing the critical nature of these challenges for my pursuit of a career in medicine, I have sought guidance from a performance coach and am implementing reframing exercises to better manage my self-doubt and stress. I am committed to applying these techniques to improve my academic performance and demonstrate my true capabilities.

Request for Consideration:

Given the severe impact of my mental health challenges on my academic performance, including the specific difficulties experienced during the BCHM316 final exam, I respectfully request a credit standing in BCHM 315 and to drop my BCHM 316 course after the academic deadline. I am dedicated to overcoming these obstacles by using the support systems I have made in and outside of school. QSAS has been an invaluable piece of my academics, and the student wellness services will continue to play a significant role in cultivating my mental health.
Thank you for considering my petition. I am willing to provide any additional documentation or information if needed, including the sick note related to the exam incident.