Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean-Faculty of Art and Science:
I am appealing the Faculty's decision that I have the petition of late dropping from 2023 Fall to 2024 Summer. The specific courses including (Fall, 2023): PSYC 100A, DRAM 100A, ARTH 120A; (Winter, 2024): PSYC 100B, ARTH120B; (Summer, 2024): SPAN 111, ENGL 100.

This realization of dropping later for today justified my decision to reconsider the course load today, and I think it shows that my initial choice was a reasonable attempt under the circumstances, rather than a complete lack of judgment. Although my mental health issues have greatly affected my decision-making ability. My decision not to drop the class was based on an optimistic but logical expectation that the extra time and support would lead to progress. In addition, attention and performance gradually improved, and in this year, from almost no ability to participate in group classes to able to participate in part and complete interaction in class (especially the class that requires group cooperation), to complete half of the course and submit half-course assignments in the summer, I could reach out for help from Fall 2025 and comleted all my courses in the term, even passing the examinations. At the time, although there was only a 1% chance of completing the course, for me dropping the course could cause me further academic gaps and undermine my long-term educational goals, which I always put my educational achievement first. Moreover, Queen's has strong academic environment and plenty of academic resources, which I firmly believe is a potential catalyst for my recovery. From a broader strategy for my improvement, I always trying to balance personal recovery with academic ambitions. In 2023 Fall, I was sent to the hospitalization for one-day supervision since the situation was getting to the worst point. In 2024 Winter, I reached out my psychotherapist; In 2025 Summer, I could finish half of the assignments. Dropping classes for me directly and indirectly reflets strong isolation at Queen’s, and it may be it would be harder for me to make decisions, concentrating on school works and connecting with my network in campus.
In essence, my decision was deeply rooted in the desire to persevere through adversity, with the hope that sustained effort would eventually lead to both academic improvement and personal healing and potential success.

Sincerely,
Autumn