Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing this letter to request my Abnormal Psychology grade be changed to an Agrotat (AG) standing. I am also requesting a Credit (CR) status in Statistics in Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Social Psychology. Despite having an incredible support network both in my hometown and at school, infinite dreams and aspirations, and an unlimited number of passions and interests, I am writing this appeal because it only took a brief matter of time for my life to shift into a world of complete unfamiliarity.

Unfortunately I had not realized how much of a toll mental health played in my life until March 15th at 12:30 PM, when my mind and body hit a breaking point that brought me to the Kingston General Hospital intensive care unit for three nights as a psych-patient. The choice that I made on a single night was followed by an entirely new schedule and priority in my life, being myself and more specifically my mental well-being. It is clear looking back, that my mental health was unstable for a long time, I can't pinpoint if I was merely blind to the internal struggles that I faced or if I had compensated for my struggles by filling challenging voids with temporary solutions. Whatever the reason, I am grateful that I was given the chance to provide my life with the proper reflection it was so clearly yearning for.

In order to remain in Kingston, which is something I much-desired in order to maintain some normalcy, I was encouraged to attend Kingston General Hospitals Intensive Transitional Treatment Program from 9:00-12:15 on weekdays for three weeks. This program focused on techniques and strategies to manage negative or distressing thoughts and behaviours. While I understood that my actions absolutely warranted a serious intervention, I found it extremely exhausting to simply get up in the morning nevertheless maintain attendance in this program, attend my academic classes, while stubbornly holding onto my extracurricular activities. Even though every day felt like it lasted years, my daily accomplishments were few and far between something to be proud of. On average, I was sleeping a couple hours each night, of which were rarely restful. My nutritional input was inconsistent and unquestionably insufficient. My ability to socialize the way I once did diminished significantly. Finally, even though I managed to drag myself physically to lectures and my treatment program, my mental state was somewhere entirely different.

Ultimately I believe that I was reluctant to accept that maybe I couldn't do it all amongst the tangle of chaos I had weaved myself into, though I was still determined to make it work. I quickly realized how foolish I was to think that attempting my exams would be a feat of success. After my hopeless effort at exam 1, I accepted that to write my remaining exams would not be an honest reflection of my work ethic, understanding and time that I had dedicated to my courses for the majority of the year.

Over the past five months I found an appropriate psychologist whom I saw on a weekly basis over the summer and continue to stay in touch with upon returning to Kingston. I was fortunate to focus some of my attention over the summer break towards a rewarding full-time job in Human Resources. And I have spent a substantial amount of time surrounded by loved ones.

But yet, I am still healing; I am patient that this is a process and I recognize and appreciate that I am not the first or last person to walk a mile in these shoes. Academically I am confident that I have gained a substantial amount of techniques and strategies that will prevent me from reentering that mental state. I am aware of the resources surrounding me and I have regained acceptance that my well-being will remain my first priority.

I would like to express my most sincere gratitude towards the time you have devoted to reading my letter and your consideration of my request as outlined below in my academic appeal plan:
- Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 235A/B) - request of an Aegrotat (AG) standing, however if declined, request of late drop to remove from academic transcript
- Statistics in Psychology (PSYC203) - request of a change to Credit (CR) status
- Social Psychology (PSYC241) - request of a change to Credit (CR) status
- Developmental Psychology (PSYC251) - request of a change to Credit (CR) status

I am eager to move forward, learn and excel from this adversity in my life as I approach the remaining years of my academics with a transcript that reflects my academic ability. I feel that these adjustments will place me in a positive position to effectively finish my degree with the appropriate support mechanisms in place

I would be grateful for a positive consideration of this request, and I look forward to hearing from you,

Sincerely,

Josie Watchorn (10102676)