Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To: Associate Dean (Academic)
Faculty of Arts and Science, Queen’s University

Dear Associate Dean,

I am writing to petition for a late drop of PHYS 242, PHYS 213, and PHYS 206 (Fall 2025 term) due to significant extenuating circumstances beyond my control that severely impacted my academic functioning throughout the term and prevented me from dropping the courses prior to the December 2 deadline.

On August 16, 2025, I experienced a serious personal and family-related event that triggered a major depressive episode which persisted throughout the Fall term. Beginning in early September and worsening through October and November, I experienced severe depressive symptoms that significantly impaired my ability to function academically. During this period, I struggled to get out of bed, found it extremely difficult to concentrate or complete academic work, and was largely unable to engage with my coursework in a meaningful way. My academic functioning declined steadily over the course of the term as my condition worsened.

During this period, I experienced significant difficulty maintaining a regular routine and was often unable to attend classes or engage with coursework consistently. Even when I attempted to work, I struggled with concentration, motivation, and basic task completion. These functional limitations made it increasingly difficult to keep pace academically and contributed directly to my inability to meet course requirements.

As a result, I stopped attending lectures across all three courses and was unable to keep up with assignments or course requirements. I missed quizzes and assignments in PHYS 242, PHYS 213, and PHYS 206, did not complete the PHYS 206 group project, and ultimately did not sit the final examinations in PHYS 242 or PHYS 206. My academic difficulties were directly tied to the severity of my mental health condition during this time.

Although my circumstances began prior to the drop deadline, I did not drop these courses earlier because my decision-making and judgment were significantly impaired by my condition. At the time, I believed that my symptoms would improve and that I would be able to recover academically once I stabilized. However, my condition worsened unpredictably through November and into December, and I was not functioning at a level where I could make sound academic decisions. At the time I was not capable of responding appropriately to my academic situation due to the severity of my depressive episode.

My condition persisted through the end of the term and into the winter break. In early January 2026, after accessing mental health support and receiving the time and space to stabilize, my circumstances began to improve. Since then, I have continued to engage in ongoing therapy and have been able to return to my studies with significantly improved functioning.

I plan to retake PHYS 242, PHYS 213, and PHYS 206 in the upcoming Fall term. My request is intended to ensure that my transcript accurately reflects the significant extenuating circumstances that affected my academic performance during the Fall 2025 term. I am continuing with ongoing mental health support and have developed a structured plan for managing my workload and maintaining stability to support my future academic success.

I will provide supporting documentation from my therapist confirming the timeline, severity, and academic impact of my circumstances during the Fall 2025 term.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Carmelo Papazoglou