Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 14147
Submitted: April 10, 2026 at 9:35:27 AM
First Name: Shihan
Last Name: Gao
Pronoun: She/Her
Preferred Name: Amy
Student Number: 20551129
Email: 25hb5@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSH
Plan: ConEd, Sci
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: MATH 120
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2026
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,
I am writing to formally petition for a Late Drop for the course MATH 120 (Diff. & Integral Calculus 25/26).
Due to extenuating circumstances following a significant personal loss, I was unable to make a rational decision regarding my academic standing before the drop deadline.
As previously verified in my Short-term Academic Consideration request (Request ID: 72609), I suffered the loss of my grandfather at the beginning of the Winter term. This was the first time in my life witnessing the death of a very close family member. This experience of bereavement shattered my emotional stability. Although initially I tried to be resilient and continue with my studies, the emotional distress and logistical challenges that followed this bereavement, had a much greater and longer-lasting impact on my academic performance than I had anticipated.
The bereavement occurred during the foundational weeks of the term. Consequently, I missed several crucial lectures and assignments for Math 120. As a consequences, the gaps in my understanding grew into obstacles that I cannot overcome anymore as the course progressed. My grief manifested as severe difficulty in concentration and persistent sleep disturbances, which directly led to my inability to understand the course knowledge and submit multiple assignments on time.
I did not drop the course by the April 6 deadline because I was determined to catch up. However, as the final exam approached, I realized that my mental health and academic foundation remained severely compromised. The fear prevented me from seeking help or dropping the course before the deadline. I was trapped in a cycle of trying to fix my situation, while the pressure led my mental health got worse. I now recognize that my judgment was wronged by the pressure, and I am currently unable to complete the final examination in a way that reflects my true academic potential.
If this petition is granted, I have a clear plan to restore my academic standing and ensure future success. I have already planned to retake a similar course during the summer session (MATH 121) to rebuild my foundational knowledge in a more focused environment. Since MATH 120 cannot overlap with Math 121, it has seriously hindered my ability to make up for my academic potential. I will also reach out to Wellness Services to arrange grief counselling, ensure that I can manage my personal loss proactively, and prevent it from having a further impact on my studies.
Thank you for your time and for considering my petition.
Sincerely,
Shihan (Amy) Gao
Student ID: [20551129]
I am writing to formally petition for a Late Drop for the course MATH 120 (Diff. & Integral Calculus 25/26).
Due to extenuating circumstances following a significant personal loss, I was unable to make a rational decision regarding my academic standing before the drop deadline.
As previously verified in my Short-term Academic Consideration request (Request ID: 72609), I suffered the loss of my grandfather at the beginning of the Winter term. This was the first time in my life witnessing the death of a very close family member. This experience of bereavement shattered my emotional stability. Although initially I tried to be resilient and continue with my studies, the emotional distress and logistical challenges that followed this bereavement, had a much greater and longer-lasting impact on my academic performance than I had anticipated.
The bereavement occurred during the foundational weeks of the term. Consequently, I missed several crucial lectures and assignments for Math 120. As a consequences, the gaps in my understanding grew into obstacles that I cannot overcome anymore as the course progressed. My grief manifested as severe difficulty in concentration and persistent sleep disturbances, which directly led to my inability to understand the course knowledge and submit multiple assignments on time.
I did not drop the course by the April 6 deadline because I was determined to catch up. However, as the final exam approached, I realized that my mental health and academic foundation remained severely compromised. The fear prevented me from seeking help or dropping the course before the deadline. I was trapped in a cycle of trying to fix my situation, while the pressure led my mental health got worse. I now recognize that my judgment was wronged by the pressure, and I am currently unable to complete the final examination in a way that reflects my true academic potential.
If this petition is granted, I have a clear plan to restore my academic standing and ensure future success. I have already planned to retake a similar course during the summer session (MATH 121) to rebuild my foundational knowledge in a more focused environment. Since MATH 120 cannot overlap with Math 121, it has seriously hindered my ability to make up for my academic potential. I will also reach out to Wellness Services to arrange grief counselling, ensure that I can manage my personal loss proactively, and prevent it from having a further impact on my studies.
Thank you for your time and for considering my petition.
Sincerely,
Shihan (Amy) Gao
Student ID: [20551129]
Documentation
Professional Letter: Late Drop-0.pdf