Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 14487
Submitted: June 15, 2026 at 11:09:11 PM
First Name: Caitlin
Last Name: Mara
Pronoun: she/her
Preferred Name: Caitlin
Student Number: 20401844
Email: 22vpg@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BA
Plan: ECON
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: I am writing this letter to respectfully request the withdrawal period be waived due to significant struggles throughout my university time, severely impacting my academic performance. Regardless of my attempts, these extenuating circumstances were largely beyond my control and had a significant influence on my ability to succeed.
My challenges began during first-year, when I sustained a serious concussion weeks before winter term examinations. As a result, I wrote my exams during the May deferral period while still experiencing strong concussion symptoms. The physical and mental effects of the injury significantly impaired my ability to study, retain information, focus and successfully complete the exams to my full potential. Almost all of my courses in first-year were full-year credit courses, which meant the impaired grades had a substantial impact on my GPA and placed me in a difficult academic position to recover from.
Following my concussion, I faced substantial struggles with my mental health. I battled severe anxiety and depression and was also coping with the ongoing effects of a previously diagnosed eating disorder. While I was continuously trying to focus on my academics and regain better academic standing, my mental health difficulties increasingly affected my concentration, motivation, energy levels, and ability to participate or engage fully in my coursework.
During this period, throughout my second year, my living situation turned into a hostile environment, adding to the emotional toll I was experiencing with my mental health. I was isolated, experienced ongoing passive-aggressive behaviour and quite frankly bullied by my roommates. While trying to stay afloat, it resulted in me isolating myself to my room and only leaving when no one else was home to avoid confrontation. This environment significantly worsened my anxiety and depression at a time when I was already struggling.
The impact on my mental health became severe. I experienced intense anxiety that made everyday activities, including leaving my room and attending classes, extremely difficult. I suffered frequent panic attacks, persistent sleep disruption, and a significant loss of appetite. At my lowest point, the chronic stress and anxiety contributed to stress-induced hallucinations. Although I was struggling and at my lowest point, I felt ashamed of myself and found it extremely difficult to seek help or communicate the extent of my difficulties to others. As a result, many of these challenges took up my day-to-day life while my academic performance continued to decline.
Throughout this time, I tried very hard to remain focused on school and improve my academic standing. I did not stop caring about my education or my future, and had added anxiety about my class work and feeling like a failure. However, the combination of my poor mental health, an unstable and toxic living environment, and chronic sleep deprivation created a battle that I was ultimately unable to overcome on my own. By the time I was able to fully recognize the severity of my situation, I had already faced substantial academic setbacks.
Over the past year, I have begun taking meaningful and consistent steps to tackle these challenges. I have sought out professional support and have been attending therapy on a biweekly basis. I have also started treatment with medication to manage my anxiety and depression and have been working actively on improving my sleep through structured sleep training. Strategies I have learned and consistent treatment have allowed me to better understand my mental health, develop coping strategies, and establish support systems that I had previously been missing.
In addition, the circumstances that contributed to much of my distress are no longer being managed alone. I now have professional mental health support, medical treatment, as well as a deeper insight of how to recognize and respond to worsening symptoms before they become overwhelming. I have found a quiet, calm, and academically focused household and have found new relationships with similar goals and good character to surround myself with. This will be one of the most important driving forces to success in continuing my education. As well, I have learned the importance of seeking help early and utilizing available resources rather than attempting to manage serious challenges independently. Along with a recommended treatment plan to support my mental health, I believe and am determined to succeed going forward.
I truthfully recognize the seriousness of my academic record and take full responsibility for my education. However, I respectfully ask the Committee to consider the substantial impact that extenuating circumstances played in my academic difficulties. My concussion, severe mental health challenges, and hostile living environment created barriers that substantially impaired my ability to succeed academically despite my genuine efforts.
I am deeply committed to completing my degree and believe that the treatment, support systems, and coping strategies I have now established place me in a much stronger position to achieve academic success moving forward.
My challenges began during first-year, when I sustained a serious concussion weeks before winter term examinations. As a result, I wrote my exams during the May deferral period while still experiencing strong concussion symptoms. The physical and mental effects of the injury significantly impaired my ability to study, retain information, focus and successfully complete the exams to my full potential. Almost all of my courses in first-year were full-year credit courses, which meant the impaired grades had a substantial impact on my GPA and placed me in a difficult academic position to recover from.
Following my concussion, I faced substantial struggles with my mental health. I battled severe anxiety and depression and was also coping with the ongoing effects of a previously diagnosed eating disorder. While I was continuously trying to focus on my academics and regain better academic standing, my mental health difficulties increasingly affected my concentration, motivation, energy levels, and ability to participate or engage fully in my coursework.
During this period, throughout my second year, my living situation turned into a hostile environment, adding to the emotional toll I was experiencing with my mental health. I was isolated, experienced ongoing passive-aggressive behaviour and quite frankly bullied by my roommates. While trying to stay afloat, it resulted in me isolating myself to my room and only leaving when no one else was home to avoid confrontation. This environment significantly worsened my anxiety and depression at a time when I was already struggling.
The impact on my mental health became severe. I experienced intense anxiety that made everyday activities, including leaving my room and attending classes, extremely difficult. I suffered frequent panic attacks, persistent sleep disruption, and a significant loss of appetite. At my lowest point, the chronic stress and anxiety contributed to stress-induced hallucinations. Although I was struggling and at my lowest point, I felt ashamed of myself and found it extremely difficult to seek help or communicate the extent of my difficulties to others. As a result, many of these challenges took up my day-to-day life while my academic performance continued to decline.
Throughout this time, I tried very hard to remain focused on school and improve my academic standing. I did not stop caring about my education or my future, and had added anxiety about my class work and feeling like a failure. However, the combination of my poor mental health, an unstable and toxic living environment, and chronic sleep deprivation created a battle that I was ultimately unable to overcome on my own. By the time I was able to fully recognize the severity of my situation, I had already faced substantial academic setbacks.
Over the past year, I have begun taking meaningful and consistent steps to tackle these challenges. I have sought out professional support and have been attending therapy on a biweekly basis. I have also started treatment with medication to manage my anxiety and depression and have been working actively on improving my sleep through structured sleep training. Strategies I have learned and consistent treatment have allowed me to better understand my mental health, develop coping strategies, and establish support systems that I had previously been missing.
In addition, the circumstances that contributed to much of my distress are no longer being managed alone. I now have professional mental health support, medical treatment, as well as a deeper insight of how to recognize and respond to worsening symptoms before they become overwhelming. I have found a quiet, calm, and academically focused household and have found new relationships with similar goals and good character to surround myself with. This will be one of the most important driving forces to success in continuing my education. As well, I have learned the importance of seeking help early and utilizing available resources rather than attempting to manage serious challenges independently. Along with a recommended treatment plan to support my mental health, I believe and am determined to succeed going forward.
I truthfully recognize the seriousness of my academic record and take full responsibility for my education. However, I respectfully ask the Committee to consider the substantial impact that extenuating circumstances played in my academic difficulties. My concussion, severe mental health challenges, and hostile living environment created barriers that substantially impaired my ability to succeed academically despite my genuine efforts.
I am deeply committed to completing my degree and believe that the treatment, support systems, and coping strategies I have now established place me in a much stronger position to achieve academic success moving forward.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: My goal is to return to strong academic standing and complete my degree. Through reflection on the factors that have impacted my academic performance, I have constructed a realistic plan that addresses both my academic pathway and my personal wellbeing. This plan continues with the changes I have already made and the strategies I will be implementing moving forward to ensure academic success.
Course of Study
I wish to continue studying under the Bachelor of Arts (General) in Economics. I have been able to recover grades in economics courses that improve my education and well-being by growing my interest and knowledge. I understand the importance of rebuilding my academic standing and have reviewed my academic progress to identify the courses required to complete my degree. As part of my recovery plan, I will retake courses that have previously impacted my academic standing negatively. This includes a couple of courses that are foundational to my program, and I recognize that strengthening my understanding of this material is essential for future academic success. Retaking these courses will allow me to demonstrate my true academic ability in a more stable and supported environment, while also improving my cumulative GPA and following degree requirements. As well, I will consult academic advisory to help shape my schedule to ensure I am completing degree requisites and ensure that my course selection is appropriate, manageable and that I am capable of succeeding.
Workload Management
In previous years, I have identified that I have stretched myself too thin throughout the year, by trying to juggle working, my academics as well as my personal well-being. Moving forward, I will prioritize my academic success and wellbeing by not working during the academic year. Eliminating this extra stressor and commitment will allow me to fully dedicate my time and energy to coursework, studying, attending classes, and maintaining my mental health treatment plan. I will also carefully monitor my course load each term to ensure that I am not overextending myself or reaching a level of burnout. Where necessary, I will seek guidance from academic advisors to maintain a balanced and sustainable workload.
Management of Extenuating Circumstances
My academic performance was significantly affected by a combination of severe mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, stress-induced insomnia, and the ongoing effects of a previously diagnosed eating disorder. These challenges developed and intensified over time and had a substantial impact on my ability to concentrate, attend classes consistently, and complete academic work as well as take care of myself physically. I have started to address these barriers and build long-term stability. I currently attend therapy sessions, which have helped me develop healthier coping strategies and improve emotional regulation. I will continue this therapy throughout my studies, reassessing frequently about the regularity of sessions and meetings. I have also begun prescribed medication for anxiety and depression under medical supervision. This treatment has provided increased stability and has helped reduce the severity of symptoms that previously interfered with my academic functioning. While attempting to find the correct dosage, I believe I am at a stable point where I can manage my anxiety and depression, and return to normal functioning. I have also implemented structured sleep management strategies to address stress-induced insomnia, which has improved my ability to maintain consistent daily functioning and academic focus. I will continue to actively engage in all recommended treatments and maintain regular communication with healthcare professionals to ensure ongoing stability and support
Living Situation and Relationships
A major factor contributing to my academic difficulties was my previous living environment, which was highly stressful and emotionally challenging. The hostility and toxicity within the household significantly worsened my anxiety and depression and contributed to my isolation and academic decline. This situation has now changed. I have moved into a new house where I live with academically focused and respectful roommates. My current living environment is calm, stable, and supportive, which has significantly reduced a major source of stress that previously impacted my mental health and pushes me to succeed academically. This change will allow me to focus more effectively on my studies and maintain healthier routines, in a stress free environment where I am able to move freely without additional emotional turmoil.
Strategies
Additionally, I plan to implement the following strategies:
- Attend all lecture classes and actively engage with course material
- Utilize professor office hours and TA assistance to ensure I fully understand the material, as well as build relationships to keep me on track
- Develop and maintain a structured weekly study schedule to improve organization and time management
- Begin assignments and exam preparation early to reduce stress and improve academic performance
- Retake previously failed or low-performing courses to strengthen my academic foundation and improve my GPA
- Seek academic support early if I encounter difficulty, rather than delaying assistance
- Regularly assess my academic progress and adjust my strategies as needed throughout the term
- Take advantage of university run assistance programs like SASS and study groups
- Re-meet with the accommodations staff to fully understand my options to support my diagnosis rather than be embarrassed to acknowledge it
- Explore tutor opportunities through ASUS peer tutoring
- Continue to use the on-campus mental health resources and therapy available to me where it is accessible.
Course of Study
I wish to continue studying under the Bachelor of Arts (General) in Economics. I have been able to recover grades in economics courses that improve my education and well-being by growing my interest and knowledge. I understand the importance of rebuilding my academic standing and have reviewed my academic progress to identify the courses required to complete my degree. As part of my recovery plan, I will retake courses that have previously impacted my academic standing negatively. This includes a couple of courses that are foundational to my program, and I recognize that strengthening my understanding of this material is essential for future academic success. Retaking these courses will allow me to demonstrate my true academic ability in a more stable and supported environment, while also improving my cumulative GPA and following degree requirements. As well, I will consult academic advisory to help shape my schedule to ensure I am completing degree requisites and ensure that my course selection is appropriate, manageable and that I am capable of succeeding.
Workload Management
In previous years, I have identified that I have stretched myself too thin throughout the year, by trying to juggle working, my academics as well as my personal well-being. Moving forward, I will prioritize my academic success and wellbeing by not working during the academic year. Eliminating this extra stressor and commitment will allow me to fully dedicate my time and energy to coursework, studying, attending classes, and maintaining my mental health treatment plan. I will also carefully monitor my course load each term to ensure that I am not overextending myself or reaching a level of burnout. Where necessary, I will seek guidance from academic advisors to maintain a balanced and sustainable workload.
Management of Extenuating Circumstances
My academic performance was significantly affected by a combination of severe mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, stress-induced insomnia, and the ongoing effects of a previously diagnosed eating disorder. These challenges developed and intensified over time and had a substantial impact on my ability to concentrate, attend classes consistently, and complete academic work as well as take care of myself physically. I have started to address these barriers and build long-term stability. I currently attend therapy sessions, which have helped me develop healthier coping strategies and improve emotional regulation. I will continue this therapy throughout my studies, reassessing frequently about the regularity of sessions and meetings. I have also begun prescribed medication for anxiety and depression under medical supervision. This treatment has provided increased stability and has helped reduce the severity of symptoms that previously interfered with my academic functioning. While attempting to find the correct dosage, I believe I am at a stable point where I can manage my anxiety and depression, and return to normal functioning. I have also implemented structured sleep management strategies to address stress-induced insomnia, which has improved my ability to maintain consistent daily functioning and academic focus. I will continue to actively engage in all recommended treatments and maintain regular communication with healthcare professionals to ensure ongoing stability and support
Living Situation and Relationships
A major factor contributing to my academic difficulties was my previous living environment, which was highly stressful and emotionally challenging. The hostility and toxicity within the household significantly worsened my anxiety and depression and contributed to my isolation and academic decline. This situation has now changed. I have moved into a new house where I live with academically focused and respectful roommates. My current living environment is calm, stable, and supportive, which has significantly reduced a major source of stress that previously impacted my mental health and pushes me to succeed academically. This change will allow me to focus more effectively on my studies and maintain healthier routines, in a stress free environment where I am able to move freely without additional emotional turmoil.
Strategies
Additionally, I plan to implement the following strategies:
- Attend all lecture classes and actively engage with course material
- Utilize professor office hours and TA assistance to ensure I fully understand the material, as well as build relationships to keep me on track
- Develop and maintain a structured weekly study schedule to improve organization and time management
- Begin assignments and exam preparation early to reduce stress and improve academic performance
- Retake previously failed or low-performing courses to strengthen my academic foundation and improve my GPA
- Seek academic support early if I encounter difficulty, rather than delaying assistance
- Regularly assess my academic progress and adjust my strategies as needed throughout the term
- Take advantage of university run assistance programs like SASS and study groups
- Re-meet with the accommodations staff to fully understand my options to support my diagnosis rather than be embarrassed to acknowledge it
- Explore tutor opportunities through ASUS peer tutoring
- Continue to use the on-campus mental health resources and therapy available to me where it is accessible.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC (sent separately)
Documentation Detail: My documentation will be sent separately to the Faculty Office. Doctors letter, Psychiatrist Diagnosis