Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 2336
Submitted: June 9, 2016 at 5:48:50 PM
First Name: Hem
Last Name: Joshi
Student Number: 10139486
Email: 13hdj1@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BA
Plan: PHIL-G
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: To: Dr. Johanne Bénard - Associate Dean (Studies)
I am appealing to the Faculty of Arts and Science regarding withdraw for 12 months from Queen¿¿s to be waived. My extenuating circumstance was an extreme psychological stress, which also resulted in emotional stress too. The reason behind this was family problems, more specifically my father and mother, they are my only guardian, who had high quantity misunderstanding on regular basis, in which they would call me every day, and I would hear their arguing, which was unbearably bad. We also had some financial problems too at the time. I have grown up with them my entire life, learning my values and Indian culture from them. It was emotionally very stressing for me, which practically was uncontrollable at a point for me in 1st year, everything went downhill so quick. I could not see my family who believed in cultures and values in such state. This was basically the reason why my 1st year was very bad, and it eventually was present even in 2nd year too in February during the reading week. My social life was also impacted quite a bit because of this situation, and it was a new town, new everything, which was overwhelming itself. Then since I used internet resources to deal with stress, I even Google searched on stress and then read articles about it too along with videos on how to deal with it. I did way better and eventually my cumulative GPA increased, socially I started to feel more confident as well. My parents did realise the implications of this withdraw, and have also started to put their personal differences aside. My current GPA is close to 1.6, I will get it high.
I am appealing to the Faculty of Arts and Science regarding withdraw for 12 months from Queen¿¿s to be waived. My extenuating circumstance was an extreme psychological stress, which also resulted in emotional stress too. The reason behind this was family problems, more specifically my father and mother, they are my only guardian, who had high quantity misunderstanding on regular basis, in which they would call me every day, and I would hear their arguing, which was unbearably bad. We also had some financial problems too at the time. I have grown up with them my entire life, learning my values and Indian culture from them. It was emotionally very stressing for me, which practically was uncontrollable at a point for me in 1st year, everything went downhill so quick. I could not see my family who believed in cultures and values in such state. This was basically the reason why my 1st year was very bad, and it eventually was present even in 2nd year too in February during the reading week. My social life was also impacted quite a bit because of this situation, and it was a new town, new everything, which was overwhelming itself. Then since I used internet resources to deal with stress, I even Google searched on stress and then read articles about it too along with videos on how to deal with it. I did way better and eventually my cumulative GPA increased, socially I started to feel more confident as well. My parents did realise the implications of this withdraw, and have also started to put their personal differences aside. My current GPA is close to 1.6, I will get it high.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: As my academic plan for future goes, I address that computing wasn¿¿t the best choice in 1st year, and with the circumstances, it was even worse. I like computing, but not the best option, again because of my psychological condition at the time. During my 2nd year though, I did figure out finally what path I really wish to further my studies. The degree plan is general philosophy (PHIL-G-BA), along with psychology or computing courses as electives. I will take PHIL250 and PHIL257 as core courses, and if I get my GPA more than 1.9 by the end of my 3rd year, I will switch to majoring in philosophy with honors. So as an option, I will take both of them. I will also take PHIL270, since I am very curious and interested about philosophy on the subject of mind and ethics. I like to keep the plan realistic and keep more options open for electives, so I would even consider taking PHYS 104 or PHYS 106 or PHYS 117, and then further serving them as electives for my plan. When it comes to learning strategies, I will talk to the professor at the end of week to discuss the material covered in that week. That way I would not fall behind, and learn more from professors as well, about their research and so on. Studying after class and asking TAs is crucial too, consistently keep the learning rate high. I will also take courses related to economics since I like business too, if needed in order to get the specific units required for the degree plan. I have talked with Mrs. Joyce Hunter about this as well as with Judy Vanhooser and Susane Cliff-jungling, and have taken their advice. I guess these problems taught me some of the best life lessons ever, and have given me the mindset to face them in a very practical way. I have big dreams, aspirations and vision. To further enhance and articulate this vision to the world, I really wish to proceed at Queen¿¿s, without wasting 12 months of my learning period.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC
Document: internet_resources.docx
Documentation Detail: internet_resources used to deal with the situation
Document: note_from_father.jpeg
Documentation Detail: note_from_father