Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 13676
Submitted: October 21, 2025 at 11:55:34 PM
First Name: Adeeti
Last Name: Tiwari
Pronoun: She/Her
Student Number: 20427986
Email: 23vfp1@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSH
Plan: LISC
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean Dr. Dorit Naaman,
I am writing to respectfully petition the Faculty’s decision that I must withdraw from Queen’s University for one year. I am requesting permission to continue my undergraduate studies without interruption, as my academic challenges over the past year were the direct result of severe, temporary, and extenuating personal circumstances that have now been fully resolved.
My academic performance this past year was deeply affected by an abusive and controlling home environment that left me without autonomy, emotional stability, or consistent access to support. After expressing my intention to switch out of Life Sciences following my first year of undergraduate studies to pursue a program more aligned with my strengths, my parents reacted with utter hostility. They saw my desire to change programs as a personal failure and a source of shame to the family.
As a result, my mother relocated from Texas to Kingston and lived with me throughout my second year. During this time, I experienced ongoing verbal, emotional, and at times physical abuse. She frequently demeaned me, monitored my movements, and discouraged any attempt to seek help. Although I had recieved counselling in the Summer 2024 term, she forbade me from continuing, insisting that mental health care was “a sign of weakness.” She tracked my whereabouts and regularly threatened to confiscate my phone and laptop if I attempted to access university counselling services of any sort.
The psychological and physical impact of this constant surveillance and emotional distress was immense. I became increasingly anxious, hypervigilant, and unable to focus on coursework. I was often unable to complete assignments or attend lectures due to emotional exhaustion and the constant fear of conflict at home. As the situation escalated, I began experiencing symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder, including insomnia, panic attacks, and memory lapses. These symptoms, combined with the complete lack of access to counselling and support, directly led to my declining academic performance across both the Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 terms, in sharp contrast to my stronger results during the Summer 2024 term when I had access to stability and professional support.
One of the most significant impacts of this abusive environment was that I was unable to drop my courses by the academic deadlines. I repeatedly told my parents that I wanted to withdraw from certain courses because I was struggling to cope both mentally and academically. However, they refused, insisting that dropping courses was an “act of failure” and I am expected to see them through regardless of the results. When I secretly dropped BCHM 218 and ANAT 100 in the Winter 2025 term, my father discovered it at the end of the semester because he had access to my Queen’s NetID login credentials and routinely monitored my student account. After discovering the dropped courses, he forced me to enroll in summer courses to “make up” for my previous grades, despite my repeated explanations that I needed rest and wanted to drop those courses. During the Summer 2024 term, they restricted my access to my laptop for extended periods as punishment for my academic performance in second year, using it as a way to take out their anger on me. This all made it impossible to focus, study effectively, or complete coursework on time, and further delayed my ability to advocate for myself academically. It is why I missed the June 11 petition submission deadline as well.
This level of control meant that I could not make independent academic decisions or access my online learning platforms freely. I was effectively trapped in courses that I had neither the mental stability nor the autonomy to manage. My grades from this period do not reflect my capabilities or commitment to my academic career, they reflect the effects of sustained psychological abuse.
I am writing to respectfully petition the Faculty’s decision that I must withdraw from Queen’s University for one year. I am requesting permission to continue my undergraduate studies without interruption, as my academic challenges over the past year were the direct result of severe, temporary, and extenuating personal circumstances that have now been fully resolved.
My academic performance this past year was deeply affected by an abusive and controlling home environment that left me without autonomy, emotional stability, or consistent access to support. After expressing my intention to switch out of Life Sciences following my first year of undergraduate studies to pursue a program more aligned with my strengths, my parents reacted with utter hostility. They saw my desire to change programs as a personal failure and a source of shame to the family.
As a result, my mother relocated from Texas to Kingston and lived with me throughout my second year. During this time, I experienced ongoing verbal, emotional, and at times physical abuse. She frequently demeaned me, monitored my movements, and discouraged any attempt to seek help. Although I had recieved counselling in the Summer 2024 term, she forbade me from continuing, insisting that mental health care was “a sign of weakness.” She tracked my whereabouts and regularly threatened to confiscate my phone and laptop if I attempted to access university counselling services of any sort.
The psychological and physical impact of this constant surveillance and emotional distress was immense. I became increasingly anxious, hypervigilant, and unable to focus on coursework. I was often unable to complete assignments or attend lectures due to emotional exhaustion and the constant fear of conflict at home. As the situation escalated, I began experiencing symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder, including insomnia, panic attacks, and memory lapses. These symptoms, combined with the complete lack of access to counselling and support, directly led to my declining academic performance across both the Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 terms, in sharp contrast to my stronger results during the Summer 2024 term when I had access to stability and professional support.
One of the most significant impacts of this abusive environment was that I was unable to drop my courses by the academic deadlines. I repeatedly told my parents that I wanted to withdraw from certain courses because I was struggling to cope both mentally and academically. However, they refused, insisting that dropping courses was an “act of failure” and I am expected to see them through regardless of the results. When I secretly dropped BCHM 218 and ANAT 100 in the Winter 2025 term, my father discovered it at the end of the semester because he had access to my Queen’s NetID login credentials and routinely monitored my student account. After discovering the dropped courses, he forced me to enroll in summer courses to “make up” for my previous grades, despite my repeated explanations that I needed rest and wanted to drop those courses. During the Summer 2024 term, they restricted my access to my laptop for extended periods as punishment for my academic performance in second year, using it as a way to take out their anger on me. This all made it impossible to focus, study effectively, or complete coursework on time, and further delayed my ability to advocate for myself academically. It is why I missed the June 11 petition submission deadline as well.
This level of control meant that I could not make independent academic decisions or access my online learning platforms freely. I was effectively trapped in courses that I had neither the mental stability nor the autonomy to manage. My grades from this period do not reflect my capabilities or commitment to my academic career, they reflect the effects of sustained psychological abuse.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Despite the challenges of the past year, my academic record clearly shows that I am capable of success when provided with stability and support. I need it to be recognized that when I was receiving academic accommodations and regular counseling in the Summer 2024 term, I not only passed my courses but earned grades of A and B-. I also entered Queen’s University with a solid academic background, a major admission award, and acceptance into the Direct-Entry Life Sciences program. These are no small achievements. These accomplishments demonstrate my ability and my dedication when studying under supportive conditions.
Now that my circumstances have completely stabilized, I have already begun implementing strategies for mental health improvement in coordinaion with my counsellor. I am in the process of transitioning into a program that better reflects my strengths and interests, guided by ongoing meetings with Academic Advising. I continue to attend weekly sessions with my counsellor and medical follow-ups with my physician at Student Wellness Services to maintain progress and ensure that I have the necessary tools to sustain long-term academic success.
Since then, I have taken significant steps to ensure that these circumstances cannot repeat. I have firmly established my independence from my parents, as encouraged by my counselor and physician, and ensured that my mother no longer lives with me. My parents no longer have any access to my Queen’s accounts or devices. The interventions and ongoing support from the incredibly reliable support system on campus, my physician, counselor, and Academic Advising services, have already had a positive impact on my wellbeing, organization, and confidence.
Given that my extenuating circumstances were temporary, involuntary, and have now been fully resolved, I firmly believe that requiring a year-long withdrawal would entirely hinder rather than support my progress. All of my care providers, including my physician, counsellor, and Academic Advising, are in agreement that continuing my studies without a year-long withdrawal, alongside my program transition, represents the best and most supportive course of action for my situation. I have already used this semester to focus on treatment, healing, and rebuilding stability. I am now mentally fit, wholly prepared, and eager to continue my academic journey with the renewed focus and support I have established. A forced absence from my sturies at this point would interrupt the positive momentum I have built through therapy and engagement with campus resources. Remaining enrolled will allow me to apply my coping strategies, maintain therapeutic consistency, and continue the academic recovery process that has already begun and shown positive results. With the independence and resources I now have in place, I am confident that I can succeed academically and restore my standing at Queen’s. I respectfully ask that the Faculty waive the requirement to withdraw for one year and allow me the opportunity to continue demonstrating my ability and commitment to my education. Thank you very much for considering my petition.
Now that my circumstances have completely stabilized, I have already begun implementing strategies for mental health improvement in coordinaion with my counsellor. I am in the process of transitioning into a program that better reflects my strengths and interests, guided by ongoing meetings with Academic Advising. I continue to attend weekly sessions with my counsellor and medical follow-ups with my physician at Student Wellness Services to maintain progress and ensure that I have the necessary tools to sustain long-term academic success.
Since then, I have taken significant steps to ensure that these circumstances cannot repeat. I have firmly established my independence from my parents, as encouraged by my counselor and physician, and ensured that my mother no longer lives with me. My parents no longer have any access to my Queen’s accounts or devices. The interventions and ongoing support from the incredibly reliable support system on campus, my physician, counselor, and Academic Advising services, have already had a positive impact on my wellbeing, organization, and confidence.
Given that my extenuating circumstances were temporary, involuntary, and have now been fully resolved, I firmly believe that requiring a year-long withdrawal would entirely hinder rather than support my progress. All of my care providers, including my physician, counsellor, and Academic Advising, are in agreement that continuing my studies without a year-long withdrawal, alongside my program transition, represents the best and most supportive course of action for my situation. I have already used this semester to focus on treatment, healing, and rebuilding stability. I am now mentally fit, wholly prepared, and eager to continue my academic journey with the renewed focus and support I have established. A forced absence from my sturies at this point would interrupt the positive momentum I have built through therapy and engagement with campus resources. Remaining enrolled will allow me to apply my coping strategies, maintain therapeutic consistency, and continue the academic recovery process that has already begun and shown positive results. With the independence and resources I now have in place, I am confident that I can succeed academically and restore my standing at Queen’s. I respectfully ask that the Faculty waive the requirement to withdraw for one year and allow me the opportunity to continue demonstrating my ability and commitment to my education. Thank you very much for considering my petition.