Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Hello, I am writing to respectfully request academic consideration regarding my academic standing and the possibility of withdrawing from my failed courses from this past academic year.
I want to start by taking full accountability for my academic performance. I understand that my GPA and failed courses are serious concerns, and I recognize that it was my responsibility to seek help earlier and manage my academic obligations more effectively. I am not attempting to avoid responsibility for the outcome of my courses. However, I hope to provide context for the significant personal and medical challenges that heavily impacted my ability to perform academically during this period.
Over the past year, I experienced several serious extenuating circumstances that affected both my mental health and my academics. These included ongoing anxiety, significant family-related stress and parental pressures, as well as a death in my family that occurred during the winter exam season. I was unfortunately not able to spend his last moments with him as I was at school, which heavily impacted me and my exam studying. I will also attach the obituary. I also had struggles related to an undiagnosed attention disorder that I was only recently diagnosed with as ADHD. At the time, I did not fully understand how severely these issues were affecting my concentration, time management, emotional regulation, and overall ability to cope with first year university demands.
As these challenges intensified, I began falling behind academically and mentally, and instead of effectively addressing the situation, I became overwhelmed and shut down. I understand now that I should have reached out for academic accommodations and support services sooner. Since then, I have taken meaningful steps toward improving my situation and addressing the underlying issues that contributed to my academic decline.
I am currently working with mental health professionals and will attach supporting documentation from my therapists regarding the circumstances and challenges I experienced during this time. Receiving an ADHD diagnosis has also helped me better understand the difficulties I was facing and has allowed me to begin developing healthier and more effective strategies for academic success moving forward.
Despite this difficult year, I genuinely care about my education and want the opportunity to continue my studies and prove that I can succeed in a healthier and more stable position. I am committed to making significant changes moving forward, including continuing therapy, utilizing academic support and accommodations, improving my time management and study habits, and reducing the external pressures that negatively affected my well-being and performance.
I respectfully ask that my situation be considered with compassion and that I be granted the opportunity to remain at the university and have my failed courses retroactively withdrawn. I truly believe the grades from this period do not accurately reflect my capabilities or potential as a student under normal circumstances. My first year was a major adjustment for me and I feel confident in my ability to excel in my future at Queens. I have already started by taking a summer course in which I am doing quite well so far. I believe in myself, I ask you to believe in me as well.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read my letter and consider my request. I sincerely appreciate your understanding and consideration, and I am grateful for any opportunity to continue my education at Queens University.
Thank you,
Lauren Beattie
20553128