Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 13691
Submitted: October 28, 2025 at 10:04:28 AM
First Name: Samantha
Last Name: Morris
Pronoun: she
Preferred Name: Sami
Student Number: 20334333
Email: 21sm167@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: POLS, EMPR
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through another institution
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,
I am writing to request permission to complete 12.0 units at Athabasca University during the upcoming summer term. I am currently considered a third-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) student in my fourth year at Queen’s, majoring in Political Studies with a minor in Employment Relations. I also changed programs this past summer to better align my academic path with my interests and long-term goals, which has motivated me to stay focused and perform at my best.
This request stems from ongoing mental health challenges related to a traumatic carjacking incident that occurred before the start of my university degree. This experience has had long-term effects on my mental health, impacting my ability to manage stress and maintain focus for extended periods. As a result, I have only been able to take three to four courses per semester throughout my degree to balance my workload and well-being.
Despite these challenges, I remain extremely motivated and committed to my education. I attend weekly therapy, work with a tutor to enhance my academic skills, and take prescribed anti-anxiety and ADHD medications to support focus and stability. These ongoing supports have been instrumental in helping me manage my responsibilities effectively and perform to the best of my abilities.
I have also been proactive in preparing for the summer and have carefully researched suitable online courses at Athabasca University, including POLI 311, POLI 393, POLI 301, and IDRL 215. After reviewing the course outlines, I believe these courses align well with both my Queen’s degree requirements and my learning style. The flexibility of Athabasca’s online format will allow me to study at a manageable and consistent pace while continuing to prioritize my mental health.
I plan to begin an Athabasca course before the summer term to familiarize myself with the university’s expectations and online structure before enrolling in the remaining courses. I believe this gradual approach will support a smooth transition and set me up for further success. Completing up to 12.0 units externally will allow me to lighten my fifth-year course load, improve my GPA, and strengthen my applications for master’s programs.
I deeply value my education and remain committed to completing my degree in good academic standing while maintaining the progress I have made in managing my mental health. I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration of my request, and I remain dedicated to achieving both my academic and personal goals.
Sincerely,
Sami Morris
Student ID: 20334333
I am writing to request permission to complete 12.0 units at Athabasca University during the upcoming summer term. I am currently considered a third-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) student in my fourth year at Queen’s, majoring in Political Studies with a minor in Employment Relations. I also changed programs this past summer to better align my academic path with my interests and long-term goals, which has motivated me to stay focused and perform at my best.
This request stems from ongoing mental health challenges related to a traumatic carjacking incident that occurred before the start of my university degree. This experience has had long-term effects on my mental health, impacting my ability to manage stress and maintain focus for extended periods. As a result, I have only been able to take three to four courses per semester throughout my degree to balance my workload and well-being.
Despite these challenges, I remain extremely motivated and committed to my education. I attend weekly therapy, work with a tutor to enhance my academic skills, and take prescribed anti-anxiety and ADHD medications to support focus and stability. These ongoing supports have been instrumental in helping me manage my responsibilities effectively and perform to the best of my abilities.
I have also been proactive in preparing for the summer and have carefully researched suitable online courses at Athabasca University, including POLI 311, POLI 393, POLI 301, and IDRL 215. After reviewing the course outlines, I believe these courses align well with both my Queen’s degree requirements and my learning style. The flexibility of Athabasca’s online format will allow me to study at a manageable and consistent pace while continuing to prioritize my mental health.
I plan to begin an Athabasca course before the summer term to familiarize myself with the university’s expectations and online structure before enrolling in the remaining courses. I believe this gradual approach will support a smooth transition and set me up for further success. Completing up to 12.0 units externally will allow me to lighten my fifth-year course load, improve my GPA, and strengthen my applications for master’s programs.
I deeply value my education and remain committed to completing my degree in good academic standing while maintaining the progress I have made in managing my mental health. I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration of my request, and I remain dedicated to achieving both my academic and personal goals.
Sincerely,
Sami Morris
Student ID: 20334333
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Dear Associate Dean,
If my request to take 12.0 units at Athabasca University is approved, I have a clear plan to ensure academic success and continued personal well-being. My goal is to complete these external courses with strong grades, balance, and enter my fifth year prepared to finish my degree with confidence and an improved GPA standing. Before the summer term, I plan to take one Athabasca course to become familiar with their online learning system and academic standards. Once adjusted, I will take the remaining courses during the summer term to keep my workload manageable and balanced. This will prevent me from getting burned out and help me stay focused to do well during the term. I will keep attending therapy sessions regularly to improve focus, control emotions, and stay motivated in school. I also plan to stick to a daily routine, which I do now, including sleep, nutrition, and exercise that support my concentration and mental health. I will also continue to work with a tutor to improve my writing skills, time management, and exam skills. This has already made me more confident, leading to improved grades. I plan to meet with my tutor weekly while completing these online courses to ensure I am on track. As well, I will utilize Queen’s academic advising and student wellness services as I already do. I plan to improve my GPA with these courses and have a lighter workload for my final year at Queens. This will provide me more time to focus on higher-level courses next year. My long-term goal is to apply for a master's program in Political Science or a related field. Finally, I will monitor my academic progress and mental health closely, adjusting my workload as needed. I am committed to using what I have learned about my personal limits to make realistic and strong academic choices.
If my request to take 12.0 units at Athabasca University is approved, I have a clear plan to ensure academic success and continued personal well-being. My goal is to complete these external courses with strong grades, balance, and enter my fifth year prepared to finish my degree with confidence and an improved GPA standing. Before the summer term, I plan to take one Athabasca course to become familiar with their online learning system and academic standards. Once adjusted, I will take the remaining courses during the summer term to keep my workload manageable and balanced. This will prevent me from getting burned out and help me stay focused to do well during the term. I will keep attending therapy sessions regularly to improve focus, control emotions, and stay motivated in school. I also plan to stick to a daily routine, which I do now, including sleep, nutrition, and exercise that support my concentration and mental health. I will also continue to work with a tutor to improve my writing skills, time management, and exam skills. This has already made me more confident, leading to improved grades. I plan to meet with my tutor weekly while completing these online courses to ensure I am on track. As well, I will utilize Queen’s academic advising and student wellness services as I already do. I plan to improve my GPA with these courses and have a lighter workload for my final year at Queens. This will provide me more time to focus on higher-level courses next year. My long-term goal is to apply for a master's program in Political Science or a related field. Finally, I will monitor my academic progress and mental health closely, adjusting my workload as needed. I am committed to using what I have learned about my personal limits to make realistic and strong academic choices.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC