Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Hello,

I am appealing to drop Math 112 (Winter, 2025).

Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances:
During the Winter 2025 term, I experienced a period of significant mental health challenges that were intensified by the overall academic stress I was facing at the time. These circumstances had a direct impact on my performance in Math 112. Around late February, I began dealing with ongoing symptoms of stress, difficulty concentrating, and mental fatigue. Although I continued attending classes and completing coursework, I found it particularly difficult to manage the demands of Math 112. Due to the academic pressure across multiple courses, it made it challenging to retain content and prepare effectively. I did my best to stay engaged with the course, completing all of the tests. However, as the final exam approached, my mental health concerns became more prominent, and I recognized that I was not in a position to adequately prepare. This was not a matter of neglect or lack of effort, but the result of being mentally and emotionally overwhelmed during a crucial part of the semester. Although I’ve been able to continue with some of my other coursework, including preparing for my Computer Science exam, the combination of academic stress and personal challenges made it especially difficult to keep up with Linear Algebra. I recently spoke with a doctor to explain what I’ve been going through, and I’m now working on ways to better support my mental well-being moving forward. I am requesting a late withdrawal from MATH 112 so I can retake it when I am better equipped to succeed. I appreciate your time and consideration of my circumstances.

Why this course only?
I am requesting a late withdrawal from MATH 112 because it is the course that I struggle on greatly and has been most directly impacted by my mental health challenges. My other courses this term do not have a final exam and are already completed, except for CISC 121. CISC 121 is a prerequisite for my program (Bachelors of Computing) and is essential for meeting the conditional requirements for admission to the Computing major.
Given that CISC 121 is critical for my academic progression, I have prioritized preparing for this exam, and I am committed to completing it successfully. However, the difficulties I’ve faced this term, especially with MATH 112, have made it clear that withdrawing from this course will allow me to focus on my mental health and approach my future studies more effectively.

Why didn’t you drop the course earlier?
At the start of the term, I had no mental health issues. I genuinely believed I could have easily managed the demands of MATH 112 alongside my other courses. I initially tried to work through the mental health challenges I was experiencing, which was shown through me writing all tests for Math 112. However, as the semester progressed, the combination of mental health concerns and academic stress became increasingly difficult to manage. I did not want to give up on this course prematurely. I thought that by pushing through, I might be able to catch up and perform well. Unfortunately, as the final exam approached, it became clear that my mental health struggles had significantly weakened my ability to properly prepare for the exam and succeed in the course. I now realize that withdrawing earlier would have been a better option for preserving my mental well-being and ensuring a chance for success in the future.


Why can’t you finish the course?
Although I completed all three tests for MATH 112, I was unable to perform to the best of my ability due to the ongoing mental health struggles I’ve been facing. Despite putting in my best effort, I was not able to focus or retain the material as I had hoped, and I found that my performance did not reflect the level of preparation I had intended. I initially believed I would be able to push through and do better as the term went on because I believed my mental health challenges would go away, but the mental health challenges persisted, impacting my ability to prepare effectively for the final exam. Given these ongoing struggles, I don’t feel that attempting to finish the course would allow me to achieve a result that truly reflects my capabilities. Withdrawing now will help me preserve my mental well-being and provide me with the opportunity to retake the course when I am better able to manage my health and coursework.


Future plan:
If my appeal for a late withdrawal is granted, I plan to focus on improving my mental health and ensuring that I am fully prepared to succeed in future courses. My mental health has been getting slowly better as I have already taken steps to address the mental health challenges I’ve faced this term, including working with a healthcare provider to develop better strategies for managing stress and maintaining my well-being.
I plan to retake MATH 112 in the upcoming Fall term. In the meantime, I will continue to focus on preparing for the CISC 121 exam and ensure I meet the requirements for my Computing major. Additionally, I will seek academic support resources, such as tutoring and counseling, to help me stay on track moving forward.
By taking these steps, I am confident that I will be able to handle my coursework more effectively and perform to the best of my ability in future terms.