Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am writing to petition to extend the one - year deadline to drop courses without penalty in order to allow me to drop courses without academic penalty due to significant extenuating circumstances.

The delay in making this request is due to extenuating health circumstances. During Fall 2022, Winter 2023 and Fall 2023, I experienced mental health challenges that significantly affected my academic performance. At the time, I did not fully understand the extent or seriousness of their impact. The symptoms developed gradually, and I hid and internalized them rather than recognizing the need for professional help. I did not disclose my struggles to family members, faculty or friends and I did not pursue a psychological assessment or support in a timely manner.

In addition, beginning in 2025, I experienced the onset of seizures and was recently diagnosed with epilepsy caused by brain heterotopias. The diagnostic testing and investigation required to determine the cause of these seizures became a priority and required significant time and attention.

Together these circumstances contributed directly to the delay in obtaining a psychological assessment and are the basis of this request for an extension.

I have now completed a psychological assessment (supporting report attached). In hindsight and with the support of a psychologist and my family, I understand the seriousness of the mental health challenges I experienced and the detrimental effect they had on my academics.

In Fall 2022 (my fourth year), I experienced significant mental health challenges for the first time in my life, including depression and anxiety. During this period, I also began using alcohol in an unhealthy way, which I now know further intensified my symptoms and impaired my judgment. I was enrolled in five courses and by mid-semester, I had become overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. I stopped attending classes and didn’t complete any assignments, tests or exams. I did not disclose my struggles to my housemates or family and attempted to manage the situation on my own.

Through Winter 2023 my depression and anxiety persisted and my reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism deepened. I still believed I could resolve the situation on my own and I didn’t seek out medical or mental health support through the university or otherwise. This decision caused a continued decline in both my health and academic performance. I struggled with daily functioning, including proper nutrition, exercise, sleep and focus. I became increasingly withdrawn and isolated.

In Fall 2023, I was still struggling significantly. I did manage to attend and pass one course however, I remained overwhelmed and continued to conceal my situation from my family. I paid tuition for courses I wasn’t attending to avoid disclosing my difficulties to anyone.

In April 2024, I was required to withdraw from studies for twelve months. During this period, I moved home and gradually regained stability. In April 2025 I applied to return to school. By that time, I had a steady job and had established healthy routines, including consistent sleep, proper nutrition, regular exercise and managing my alcohol consumption.

I also disclosed my struggles to my parents who helped me find professional help. With their support, I saw a counsellor who conducted a psychiatric evaluation and established an ongoing treatment plan. The evaluation confirmed that during the 2022–2023 period, there was a confluence of events that led me to experience a period of depressive symptoms and anxiety, exacerbated by excessive alcohol consumption and compounded by my failure to seek help.

With professional support, I have developed a much better understanding of my mental health and the importance of early and consistent treatment. I have supports in place and healthy coping strategies that allow me to manage stress effectively and responsibly. I am also undergoing an educational assessment at the recommendation of my counsellor.

My academic record does not reflect my true abilities, commitment or potential. Instead it reflects a time when I was experiencing untreated mental health challenges and when I lacked the maturity and awareness to seek appropriate help. I take full responsibility for not reaching out sooner and I deeply regret the decisions that contributed to my academic situation.

I have returned to classes for the Winter 2026 semester and am currently enrolled in five courses as I work toward completing my degree.

I have made meaningful changes to my alcohol consumption and have significantly reduced my intake after recognizing the negative impact it has on my mental health. My epilepsy diagnosis also requires me to take an even more responsible approach to my health including consistent sleep, strict adherence to medication and minimal alcohol consumption.

I am attaching documentation from my psychiatric assessment to support my request. Thank you for your understanding. I am grateful for the opportunity to complete my studies at Queen’s.