Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 133
Submitted: June 3, 2014 at 10:27:10 PM
First Name: Paul
Last Name: Girard
Student Number: 10086508
Email: 12pjg@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BCH
Plan: Game Development
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline, Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Code: JAPN 100
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: PHYS 106
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: I, Paul Joseph Girard, am appealing the decision that I must withdraw for a minimum of one (1) year.
During my first year of studies here at Queen's, I was lacking a healthy mental state, that is, I was dealing with depression. Due to various, unfortunate circumstances, my Father lost his job late 2013. As a result, due to a history of dealing with depression, as well as the stress of worrying about my family's financial status, put me in a position in which, I feel, rendered me unable to focus on my studies.
Although I was able to start the year with little problem, as time grew I became increasingly shut-in, and unable to keep up with my studies. Although I did attend a counseling session, and did recover for a brief period, this ultimately did not come in time for my December exams. In January, upon receiving my marks, I had realized I must take action, but despite my attempts (I had signed up for Bounce Back, and made a effort to at least become involved socially), it bore no real results. My marks continued to be sub-standard, and, apart from my assignments (this is barring tests, of course), my grades continued to reflect poorly on my academic abilities.
It was not come late-March until I improved considerably, when my Grandmother assured me that my family's situation would not deteriorate further; that they would remain taken care of. Being the person that I am, I feel that much of my stress or worry could easily be attributed to the idea I could not send them any help, being a university student with no disposable income. Once my Grandmother had consoled me, and promised such, I was able to re-focus. However, it was too late, considering I was to write my final exams in the next month. Despite my best effort, I was unable to pass PHYS 111, or JAPN 100. If I were to be honest with you, I did not expect to pass JAPN 100, as the class time I had missed due to being ill was a real detriment. I did, however, expect to pass PHYS 111, as I felt I did well, generally, on the labs and exam. This was clearly not the case, though.
In summation, I believe that due to my mental struggle with depression over much of the school year, and despite my best efforts to rectify my situation (through counseling, much consulting with my parents and family doctor, and self-reflection), I did not succeed, and thus experienced a poor academic year.
I ask that the requirement to return after one (1) year is waived, and/or the marks for PHYS 111 and JAPN 100 be dropped from my transcript, while my other marks are kept.
During my first year of studies here at Queen's, I was lacking a healthy mental state, that is, I was dealing with depression. Due to various, unfortunate circumstances, my Father lost his job late 2013. As a result, due to a history of dealing with depression, as well as the stress of worrying about my family's financial status, put me in a position in which, I feel, rendered me unable to focus on my studies.
Although I was able to start the year with little problem, as time grew I became increasingly shut-in, and unable to keep up with my studies. Although I did attend a counseling session, and did recover for a brief period, this ultimately did not come in time for my December exams. In January, upon receiving my marks, I had realized I must take action, but despite my attempts (I had signed up for Bounce Back, and made a effort to at least become involved socially), it bore no real results. My marks continued to be sub-standard, and, apart from my assignments (this is barring tests, of course), my grades continued to reflect poorly on my academic abilities.
It was not come late-March until I improved considerably, when my Grandmother assured me that my family's situation would not deteriorate further; that they would remain taken care of. Being the person that I am, I feel that much of my stress or worry could easily be attributed to the idea I could not send them any help, being a university student with no disposable income. Once my Grandmother had consoled me, and promised such, I was able to re-focus. However, it was too late, considering I was to write my final exams in the next month. Despite my best effort, I was unable to pass PHYS 111, or JAPN 100. If I were to be honest with you, I did not expect to pass JAPN 100, as the class time I had missed due to being ill was a real detriment. I did, however, expect to pass PHYS 111, as I felt I did well, generally, on the labs and exam. This was clearly not the case, though.
In summation, I believe that due to my mental struggle with depression over much of the school year, and despite my best efforts to rectify my situation (through counseling, much consulting with my parents and family doctor, and self-reflection), I did not succeed, and thus experienced a poor academic year.
I ask that the requirement to return after one (1) year is waived, and/or the marks for PHYS 111 and JAPN 100 be dropped from my transcript, while my other marks are kept.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: In order to avoid the same outcome I experienced in this first year at Queen's, I put forth the following steps that I will take, in case of trouble:
1) The most important thing for me to do better is to maintain a level of motivation. Although situations such as financial worries are out of my hands, I can be sure to involve myself with my peers. As I stated above, I tend to be reclusive the more sour my mood. If I was able to avoid retreating inward as much when faced with trouble, perhaps I would not be in this mess I've made for myself. I am certain that if I had proper peer support, and was able to connect with my peers for academic purposes as well, I would have been able to approach my class work with much more confidence and dedication.
2) Another point I mentioned above was that I attended Bounce Back in the hope I could remedy my grades. I am sure that, with a clear mind, I could apply the strategies I learned the past semester to my advantage. I also believe that regular meetings with an academic adviser, one which will, as they say, ride me to get work done, would be beneficial. I do understand that it is not their place to be a parent, or high school teacher, but I think that if I were to feel accountable for myself (because as it stands, I struggle with this), or feel that my work is being expected of me by another person (once responsibility to others is part of the issue, I fulfill my commitment), I would complete my work on a more regular basis.
3) Although a stranger, no matter how good of a counselor they may be, cannot comfort or provide myself with a calm heart in regards to financial matters, I do value their input, and recognize the amount of help they can provide for a person. It was very unfortunate that I was depressed for this particular reason, otherwise I have confidence I could have gotten better, sooner.
1) The most important thing for me to do better is to maintain a level of motivation. Although situations such as financial worries are out of my hands, I can be sure to involve myself with my peers. As I stated above, I tend to be reclusive the more sour my mood. If I was able to avoid retreating inward as much when faced with trouble, perhaps I would not be in this mess I've made for myself. I am certain that if I had proper peer support, and was able to connect with my peers for academic purposes as well, I would have been able to approach my class work with much more confidence and dedication.
2) Another point I mentioned above was that I attended Bounce Back in the hope I could remedy my grades. I am sure that, with a clear mind, I could apply the strategies I learned the past semester to my advantage. I also believe that regular meetings with an academic adviser, one which will, as they say, ride me to get work done, would be beneficial. I do understand that it is not their place to be a parent, or high school teacher, but I think that if I were to feel accountable for myself (because as it stands, I struggle with this), or feel that my work is being expected of me by another person (once responsibility to others is part of the issue, I fulfill my commitment), I would complete my work on a more regular basis.
3) Although a stranger, no matter how good of a counselor they may be, cannot comfort or provide myself with a calm heart in regards to financial matters, I do value their input, and recognize the amount of help they can provide for a person. It was very unfortunate that I was depressed for this particular reason, otherwise I have confidence I could have gotten better, sooner.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: Letter from my Doctor.