Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 12613
Submitted: January 15, 2025 at 4:14:56 PM
First Name: ashley
Last Name: penrose
Pronoun: she/her
Preferred Name: ashley
Student Number: 20406237
Email: 22pvf5@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: Undeclared
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: ENGL 101
Term: Winter
Year: 2024
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: PSYC 100
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2024
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Academic Appeal
Hello Doctor Stephenson, If my understanding is incorrect as to whom this letter may reach, I deeply apologize. I am writing to submit an appeal concerning my first year of studies here at Queen's University, specifically the 2023-2024 academic year. I am requesting the removal of the final grades for PSYC100 and ENGL101 from my transcript. I have been informed through academic advising that by submitting an appeal, it is possible to have the failing grades for these courses removed. I understand that I would still need to make up the course credits, but the failures will no longer be on my academic record and impact my overall grade point average.
Regarding my circumstances, during the 2023-2024 school year, I struggled to meet academic expectations and successfully complete my courses due to significant mental health and psychological challenges. I have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder since 2020, and I have been on medication for these conditions for approximately five years now. Throughout my first year at university, I found it extremely difficult to adjust to the new environment and academic demands. This heightened my anxiety and ocd behaviours, as well as drastically intensified my depression. By October 2023, my mental health situation declined significantly. I struggled with concentration and motivation due to extreme anxiety, my coping mechanism unfortunately being procrastination and avoiding my responsibilities. I began experiencing what I refer to as “depressive episodes,” during these, I would shut down, isolate myself, and be unable to function, communicate, and complete my tasks. Additionally, I would put off assignments, as well as leave studying for tests and exams last minute to delay those highly stressful situations. These episodes became more frequent as time went on, further impacting my ability to meet both my daily and academic needs. By February 2024, my condition worsened much further. I became severely depressed, was unable to leave my dorm room for days at a time, had irregular sleep and eating patterns, experienced memory loss and suffered from more frequent and intense depressive episodes. In late March of 2023, I became suicidal and began self-harming. During the second semester, I stopped taking my medication, contributing to the drastic decline of my health and leaving me unable to meet not just my educational needs, but simple and basic daily tasks as well.
The impact of my condition on my academic performance was particularly evident in the PSYC100 and ENGL101 courses, both of which involved midterm and final exams. It's not that my other courses weren’t impacted, but the courses with exams were a great challenge I had to face during that period of time. I have never been a student who tests well and experiences severe anxiety both prior to and during these situations. This is a challenge I have been learning to manage and overcome since as young as elementary school. The worsening of my mental health symptoms and the added anxiety throughout exams during the 2023-2024 academic year, significantly contributed to the failure and inability to succeed within my classes. My psychological challenges and the actions I exhibited during this time are something I am quite ashamed of and learning to come to terms with. I am still experiencing the consequences of that period today, working on managing my academic plan and moving forward. Additionally, aside from failing these two courses, I was unable to gain entry into the Health Studies program and am currently behind on course credits, leaving my academic standing in a complicated position.
I appreciate your consideration of my appeal for the removal of the failing grades in PSYC100 and ENGL101 from my academic record. The challenges I faced during the 2023-2024 academic year severely impacted my ability to succeed academically. Since then, I have taken the initiative to improve my mental health and academic standing. I am hopeful that, by removing these grades from my transcript, I can further concentrate on my academic progress and success without the lasting impact of these failures. I value your time and thought regarding my request, I am eager to move forward and am grateful for any support you can provide. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ashley Penrose
20406237
Hello Doctor Stephenson, If my understanding is incorrect as to whom this letter may reach, I deeply apologize. I am writing to submit an appeal concerning my first year of studies here at Queen's University, specifically the 2023-2024 academic year. I am requesting the removal of the final grades for PSYC100 and ENGL101 from my transcript. I have been informed through academic advising that by submitting an appeal, it is possible to have the failing grades for these courses removed. I understand that I would still need to make up the course credits, but the failures will no longer be on my academic record and impact my overall grade point average.
Regarding my circumstances, during the 2023-2024 school year, I struggled to meet academic expectations and successfully complete my courses due to significant mental health and psychological challenges. I have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder since 2020, and I have been on medication for these conditions for approximately five years now. Throughout my first year at university, I found it extremely difficult to adjust to the new environment and academic demands. This heightened my anxiety and ocd behaviours, as well as drastically intensified my depression. By October 2023, my mental health situation declined significantly. I struggled with concentration and motivation due to extreme anxiety, my coping mechanism unfortunately being procrastination and avoiding my responsibilities. I began experiencing what I refer to as “depressive episodes,” during these, I would shut down, isolate myself, and be unable to function, communicate, and complete my tasks. Additionally, I would put off assignments, as well as leave studying for tests and exams last minute to delay those highly stressful situations. These episodes became more frequent as time went on, further impacting my ability to meet both my daily and academic needs. By February 2024, my condition worsened much further. I became severely depressed, was unable to leave my dorm room for days at a time, had irregular sleep and eating patterns, experienced memory loss and suffered from more frequent and intense depressive episodes. In late March of 2023, I became suicidal and began self-harming. During the second semester, I stopped taking my medication, contributing to the drastic decline of my health and leaving me unable to meet not just my educational needs, but simple and basic daily tasks as well.
The impact of my condition on my academic performance was particularly evident in the PSYC100 and ENGL101 courses, both of which involved midterm and final exams. It's not that my other courses weren’t impacted, but the courses with exams were a great challenge I had to face during that period of time. I have never been a student who tests well and experiences severe anxiety both prior to and during these situations. This is a challenge I have been learning to manage and overcome since as young as elementary school. The worsening of my mental health symptoms and the added anxiety throughout exams during the 2023-2024 academic year, significantly contributed to the failure and inability to succeed within my classes. My psychological challenges and the actions I exhibited during this time are something I am quite ashamed of and learning to come to terms with. I am still experiencing the consequences of that period today, working on managing my academic plan and moving forward. Additionally, aside from failing these two courses, I was unable to gain entry into the Health Studies program and am currently behind on course credits, leaving my academic standing in a complicated position.
I appreciate your consideration of my appeal for the removal of the failing grades in PSYC100 and ENGL101 from my academic record. The challenges I faced during the 2023-2024 academic year severely impacted my ability to succeed academically. Since then, I have taken the initiative to improve my mental health and academic standing. I am hopeful that, by removing these grades from my transcript, I can further concentrate on my academic progress and success without the lasting impact of these failures. I value your time and thought regarding my request, I am eager to move forward and am grateful for any support you can provide. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ashley Penrose
20406237
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Since this situation, I have made significant efforts to improve both my mental health and academic performance, as well as avoid falling back into that negative space again. In May 2024, my medication dosage was increased, I have been doing monthly check-ins with my family practitioner and I have been attending weekly therapy sessions over the last eight months. Academically, I am retaking PSYC100, as it is required for the health plan, and I am also retaking HLTH101 to get back on track and hopefully get accepted into the Health Studies program next year. Additionally, I have met with a few different academic advisors to stay on track and gather information for my next steps. I am also considering applying for accommodations to provide me with additional assistance during tests and exams, supporting my anxiety and depressive tendencies during these periods. I feel in a better space mentally and academically this year, I am working really hard on both continuing to improve my overall health and the status of my academic career as well.
Documentation
Professional Letter: ASH - Appeal .pdf