Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am a very determined student who works really hard for his goals. I have taken the first semester component of organic chemistry, Chem281 and did quite well. I was ready for chem282 with a very strong chemistry background and strong interest that was mainly caused by both my interest and Dr. Carran's positive personality and class teaching methods. I have worked hard since the day one and did really well in the first midterm. I am also currently a Don for 35 students where I support them in many different ways. However, I always put my 'don face' when they needed me and always was understanding and helpful. However, it was difficult at times but I always did my best for my students and helped them and guided them the best I can. As the second midterm was approaching closely, I have received a phone call from my dad about a very negative circumstance regarding my mom's health. I was born in Toronto but grew up in Turkey and my parents moved back to Canada just for my education. Moreover, I have a very close and intimate relationship with my parents especially my mom and I am truly grateful everything they have done for me. My parents are centre of my universe one might say. Hearing this was one of the most devastating news I have ever heard. I couldn't find any rides the night of the incident however the next day, I went to Toronto as soon as I could find a ride. Spent days with her going around trying to find what was wrong to cause such an effect (She had her trachea closed up almost fully and had none known allergies). It was a scary process because all of us had fears that this could come back one way or another and this time, my parents might not be very close to the hospital like they were in last. I went back home on late Thursday and my midterm was on Saturday morning with almost no sleep (due to stress and nightmares) I wrote the midterm 2 anyway. There was only one sitting and I felt obligated to write the midterm even though (as I have spoken with Dr. Carran afterwards), I wasn't ready and received the worst grade of my entire undergrad so far and my life. Dr. Carran was very understanding and accommodating with my situation. He told me about this process being the best for me. Right before the exam period, I had a leg injury (ligament-related) where left me in pain and made miss my exam right before organic chemistry. I also found out about one of our closest family friends' declining health conditions which ended up us losing him very recently. However, I decided to write the organic chemistry because there was no hope for me anyway. No matter how well I did in the exam, I knew that my mark will be dragged down by my midterm grade. I wrote the exam under these circumstances. As I expected, I didn't do as well as I normally would. I felt defeated by the outside effects in so many ways. I have never dealt with this many problems and physical pain in my life and my injury had so many negative impacts on my life, mainly on my mental health and sleep cycle. I recently went to Queen's Wellness Centre and saw a councillor. She suggested me to not write my microbiology after based on the fact that the loss of our family friend, demanding don position and many other problems I have faced recently this semester. When I checked ways to appeal, I have seen 'Credit Standing'. I really thought my situation would fit because in many ways, I really feel defeated by outside factors that affected my organic chemistry grade extremely negatively. I would really like to discuss more with details in person since I feel more comfortable in that way expressing myself.