Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean (Studies):

I am appealing for credit standing in ECON 112 (Winter, 2015), PSYC 100 (Fall and Winter, 2014-2015), HLTH 102 (Winter, 2015), DEVS 100 (Summer, 2015), HLTH 200 (Fall, 2015), PHIL 247 (Fall, 2015), and PHIL 256 (Fall, 2015). I am appealing due to the fact that a certain event happened at the end of the summer of 2014. Before moving to Canada from Kuwait to attend Queen's University by two weeks, I found out that my mother was suffering from breast cancer. I had to move here and leave my mother in Kuwait so she finishes her treatment there. Her doctor advised her not to leave or travel outside of Kuwait before finishing all the necessary treatments, which lasted for about a year. I could not visit her during my first year because I had problems renewing my Canadian passport from Kingston in time for the winter holidays. I did end up visiting her over the summer.

This problem affected me personally because I was worried about my mother, and I could not see her. I was worried that I will never be able to see her again. I did not get enough nutrition, exercise, nor sleep during my first year at Queen's University because of my anxiety, which led me to do poorly during my first year, and the first half of my second year. This has been an ongoing problem, and things just got better now that I know everything is better, I know I can do much better towards my academic career. My family and I are all living together in Kingston today. My mother is no longer suffering from breast cancer. I know I am appealing late, but only because I just found out about this process, and got a better understanding of it and I thought it might be helpful. This problem still affects me today because I do want to do better and stay in school to accomplish my dreams. My parents have no idea that I am on academic probation, I do not want my mother to feel bad, and mostly I do not want to disappoint them. Having bad grades, and the worry that I might have to withdraw from the university is making me very anxious at the moment.

I am currently suffering from anxiety and sleeping disorders. I am pleased to mention that I am seeking help from the counselling service that is offered on campus. The counsellor that I am talking to is helping me with my anxiety and sleeping disorders. My anxiety happened because I have this fear that I might need to withdraw from Queen's University, and have to face my family and friends that I am a failure. The counselling service is helping and they made some accommodations that I should take my exams in a smaller exam room.This plan is meant to help me get back on track and be a better student. I have also talked to most of my professors this semester for advice on how to do better in school, and it is working. I can tell that my grades are getting better this semester, and I am feeling much better.