Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

My name is Matisa Zarif-Abkenar and I am currently in the Fourth Year of my Bachelor of Science (BS) program (Life Sciences, Specialization). I am writing this petition to request a second deferral of the Final Examination for HLTH 230 (Basic Human Nutrition), Fall 2025. This deferred exam was scheduled for Friday 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM.

The reason behind this second deferral pertains to my disability for which I am registered with Queen’s Student Accessibility Services (QSAS). As signified by my documentation on Ventus, I suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Panic Disorders. I also exhibit obsessive tendencies and am particularly susceptible to migraines, for which my anxiety is a common trigger. Prior to the HLTH 230 Final Exam, I had another deferred final (MICR 484, online, January 14-15) as well as responsibility pertaining to my Winter 2026 courses. Given the high-demand of my week, as well as my pre-existing anxiety disorder, I was rendered with an extreme exacerbation of my disability. I have been experiencing severe and continuous anxiety, several panic attacks, as well as insomnia. Collectively, these conditions have resulted in a severe migraine that spanned various days and was coupled with nausea and vomiting. Additional symptoms that I noticed were heartburn and chest pain.

Given the nature of my condition, I am rendered unable to complete the HLTH 230 Final Exam due to my inability to attend the exam. The exacerbation caused by my disability, including the severe migraine and panic, limits my ability to leave my home to attend the exam hall. Specifically, the light-sensitive nature of my migraine leaves me in extreme pain when placed in a room with any form of light and largely bed-ridden. In addition, the chronic nature of this migraine and panic-state, spanning several days, has resulted in severe weakness and lightheadedness, manifesting as dizziness when standing out of bed and frequent bumping into objects when walking. Collectively, my migraine and weakened-state has prevented me from leaving the darkness of my room to travel to the exam hall safely, as well as sit in the exam hall with bright lighting. Moreover, my nausea and vomiting, also common symptoms of my severe migraine, poses another reason pertaining to my lack of attendance of the HLTH 230 final exam.

Once I recognized the severity of my condition and the progressive decline of my health, I contacted both my QSAS advisor and professor in seek of guidance, at which point I was directed to the Admission Appeal process for a second deferral. While I was hoping that my condition would improve closer to the time of the exam, my migraine continues to present a severe debilitation and I recognize its interference with my academic capacity, leaving me to request a second deferral.

In an effort to document and work towards improving my condition, I met with an off-campus Family Physician and shared the details regarding my circumstance. The physician took note of my physical health and confirmed my inability to attend the HLTH 230 exam. Notably, due the nature of migraine and its interferance with my ability to leave my home, I opted for an online appointment with Tia Health, rather than an in-person appointment that required travelling and light-exposure. Please see the attached documents for the identity of the physician as well as confirmation pertaining to my medical condition. Currently, my efforts in improving my condition include light-avoidance, pain medication, and rest.

I recognize that a second deferral requires further coordination with faculty and my professor, and I appreciate the team’s willingness to cooperate with me as I work through recovering my health. Please consider my circumstance and health when assessing my request for this second exam deferral. I look forward to being granted the opportunity to write the HLTH 230 Final Exam post-recovery.

I appreciate your time and consideration.

Kinds Regards,

Matisa Z.