Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean (Academic),

I am writing to respectfully request an extension of my deferred exam due to ongoing extenuating circumstances related to the recent loss of my grandmother. Since her passing, I have been experiencing significant emotional distress and grief, which has continued to affect my mental health, concentration, motivation, and academic functioning.

Over the past several months, I have struggled greatly with focusing on studying and completing academic work. I have found it extremely difficult to stay motivated, retain information, and prepare effectively for my deferred exam. Although I initially hoped that with time I would be able to recover emotionally and return to normal academic performance, I am still actively mourning and continuing to experience the impact of this loss on a daily basis.

I have been seeking support through counselling sessions at the Student Wellness Centre at Queen’s University with Thomas Watkins, and I plan to continue therapy while I am back home in Ottawa. I am actively trying to improve my mental health and develop better coping strategies so that I can return to my studies in a healthier and more stable state. Despite these efforts, I do not currently feel academically or mentally prepared to successfully complete the deferred exam at this time.

I care deeply about my academic success and take my responsibilities as a student seriously. My intention is not to avoid completing the course requirements, but rather to request additional time so I can properly manage my grief and be in a better position to perform to the best of my abilities. I believe that with continued counselling, support from my family, and additional time to recover emotionally, I will be able to successfully complete the deferred exam.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration of my request. I sincerely appreciate your understanding.
Sincerely,
Zoé-Anh Nguyen