Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Throughout my first year at Queen¿¿s University I was unaware of the appeal process, which is why I was unable to meet the deadline. For this reason I am now looking to appeal three courses (PSYCH 100, SOCY 226 and FILM 340) due to my extenuating circumstances of anxiety/depression and physical illness. I am hoping to appeal these courses in order to better my GPA and to attain a higher academic standing so I am able to return next year.
I have been dealing with a severe anxiety disorder for the majority of my life. I was unable to reach out and get the help I needed because of fear. However, in November of 2015 I finally decided that enough was enough and that I needed professional help. It was not until my first meeting with a counselor at Queen¿¿s University, of November 2015 that I was clinically diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Since November of 2015, I have been taking an antidepressant called Zoloft.
Beginning first year in September of 2014, I experienced extreme anxiety and physical illness. My anxiety had consumed me to the point where I was unable to get out of bed in the morning and was brought on occasion to the Kingston General Hospital from having severe panic attacks. Physical illness had also prevented me from attending classes, tutorials, and meeting assignment deadlines. In October of 2014 I had my wisdom teeth removed and became ill the following week due to infection. This kept me from school for nearly two weeks. Another physical illness I faced was mono; I was diagnosed in the month of November in 2014. Having mono had been the worst physical illness I had experienced. I was in and out of the hospital constantly from November 2014 to December 2014, and was physically not well until around the beginning of January 2015. I was told by numerous ER doctors, not to return to school until I was physically well enough to do so. Lastly, in January of 2015 (after finally recovering from having mono) I was sent to the hospital in my hometown of Peterborough, Ontario and was diagnosed with Bronchitis, which placed me out of school for another week and a half to two weeks. I have all my medical documentation and records in regards to my physical illness for both 2014 and 2015.
I believe my mental and physical health made it extremely difficult for me in both first and second year. Without obtaining any accommodations, I feel as though I was unable to achieve grades, which properly reflect my academic capabilities. Throughout first year, even while being sick I tried to seek help in regards to my academics. I had scheduled meetings with academic advisors and tried to find a tutor however, my physical illnesses prevented me from even being physically able to leave my residence building. Between both my anxiety/depression and constantly being physically ill, I found it challenging to keep up with my course load and assignments.
As previously mentioned, I was not clinically diagnosed with anxiety/depression until November of 2015. After getting an appointment with a counselor, I was immediately referred to a physician and was placed on medication. Therefore, the first few months of second year were also challenging. My anxiety had reached an unbearable point in my life, I had lost four close friends in three months, was dealing with personal struggles and family related issues. I was living in constant fear and found that it was hard for my mind to focus on one thing at a time. My assignments became scattered and generally confusing, meeting deadlines were a constant struggle, as well as attending class, and trying to convince myself to seek professional help.
However, since November of 2015 I have been receiving therapy from the counseling services at Queen¿¿s University, and have continued taking my medication. My future plan in order to help me succeed is to continue with regular appointments with my counselor, and to learn various coping mechanisms. I have also decided to take a lighter course load so that I do not become over whelmed and so I am able to succeed throughout my assignments and exams. I believe that by having a lighter course load that I will be able to focus my attention in a beneficial way and manage my time accordingly. This will also be extremely helpful considering I work twenty hours a week at my part time job with Coca-Cola, as a merchandiser, on Queen¿¿s campus. I believe I am capable of succeeding throughout university and with the proper guidance and work ethic, I know I can better my overall GPA and academic standing.
Lastly, I was unable to apply for an appeal within the twenty-one days, because I simply was unaware that an appeal option even existed. If my appeal is granted I will be able to get off academic probation and continue my studies in Sociology. I do not want my mental and physical illnesses to affect the future of my success at Queen¿¿s. Thank you for your time and consideration, I really do appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Alexa Rose Whetung