Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am writing to formally request the removal of all courses from my transcript I have taken at Queen’s University thus far due to significant personal and medical challenges that severely impacted my academic performance. I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration in reviewing my petition. The courses I am looking to petition include ASTR 101, FILM 112, HIST 104, HLTH 101, PHAR 100, and BIOL 102.
Over the past three semesters, my time at Queen’s has been far from ideal. I initially believed I was prepared to move across the country and manage my academics independently, but I soon learned that balancing my disability, mental health, and new environment would be far more difficult than expected. As a registered student with QSAS, I struggled to manage my disability effectively in my first semester. During my first year, I sought support by attending weekly/ bi-weekly counseling sessions on campus. However, my second semester year proved to be even more challenging.
During my second semester I moved off campus in efforts to better manage my disability. This new living situation contributed to severe anxiety and paranoia. During my third semester I experienced the emotional strain of ending a dependent relationship, declining my mental health further. I also began experiencing physical health issues, leading me to seek emergency medical assistance multiple times. It wasn’t until November of 2024 that I recognized I needed comprehensive support beyond what I could receive in Kingston. In November I made the difficult decision to leave Kingston and return to my home province for treatment. During this time, I began taking antidepressant medication, which I plan to continue. I also underwent surgery to improve my overall quality of life. I also started private therapy. In support of my petition, I have included a letter of support from the on campus counsellor I spoke with throughout my first year, a letter from my general practitioner, and a note from my surgeon.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was that my depression was not properly accounted for during my first three semesters at Queen’s. I am currently waiting for a psychiatric assessment to obtain a proper diagnosis for potential neurodivergent conditions. Despite these struggles, I have taken significant steps to improve my well-being and academic success:
Improved Housing Situation: I moved houses as of January 2025
Mental Health Management: I am consistently taking antidepressant medication, and am starting private therapy
Reduced Course Load: My lighter schedule has allowed me to complete my coursework on time.
Support System: I have built a stronger network of friends
Routine and Stability: I pre plan out my week to make sure I stay on top of school, my social life, and my overall health
Physical Well-Being: Post operation, I started running to improve both my mental clarity and physical strength.
Family Support: My family fully supports my reduced course load and encourages me to take summer courses rather than seek part-time work.
Commitment to My Academic Path: After struggling to find direction, I have now decided the field I want to pursue and feel truly committed to my studies.
Since the start of the winter 2025 semester, I have been going to all of my classes, demonstrating my dedication to turning my academic career around. The challenges I faced—including my documented disability, untreated depression, housing instability, relationship difficulties, and uncertainty about my academic direction—contributed to my poor performance in previous semesters. However, I have actively taken steps to resolve these issues and have made substantial progress. I am not asking for my past struggles to be erased, but rather for the opportunity to move forward without being held back by circumstances that were beyond my control. I deeply value academia and the learning process, and my high school record reflects my passion for education. Unfortunately, my experience at Queen’s thus far has not been representative of my true potential. I understand that policies exist for a reason, but if I am granted the chance to continue my studies without being forced to take a year off, I am confident that I will prove my commitment and academic capability. I respectfully request that my previous courses be dropped from my record so that I may continue my education with a fresh start.