Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: This past year has been an incredible failure for me. I make no assertions that this year went well in any way for me. I failed. I am asking for an appeal for three reasons.

Firstly, I have never failed academically before. The reason I failed is simple. I did not do the work required. I handed in less than 25 of my assignments, I did not attend all my classes and I did not sufficiently prepare for tests. The reason for this was not the typical first time away from home spending too much time partying. In fact, I can honestly say I did not attend any parties nor did I drink or do drugs. After receiving my marks, I realized that some serious self analysis was required if I ever wished to succeed again.

My second reason for you to allow me to attend next year is I am attempting to fix my short comings. Over the year I consistently showed a lack of will power in that I could not seem to stop playing video games and being on the internet. While I do not know if it is truly an addiction I am still seeking help with it. I am currently going to the Addictions and Mental Health Services to get help with my issues. I ignored the problem when I saw it coming, I do not know why I did not act sooner to fix it, but the past is the past and I have learned something from it.

Finally, what I saw as my last chance to salvage the year was the final exams, but even that went poorly. During the week before exams I received a call from my mother telling me to come home and say good bye to my grandmother who was in hospital with heart issues. She was not expected to survive and doctors recommended gathering her family. I went back home for a final visit. When I returned to Kingston I asked my mother to not tell me when my grandmother died until after exams. Amazingly my grandmother survived and has a reasonable quality of life however, I spent the entire exam period worrying about her and thinking that she was truly dead or dying. My ability to concentrate was completely gone. Please note I do recognize that had I done my work through out the year I may have still been able to salvage decent marks.

I am uncertain of the reason you have a requirement to take a year off for poor academic performance. If it is a method of culling the incapable then I do not think I fit that category because of the above documented lack of effort. If it is a break to allow self assessment and reconsidering ones goals in life, I assure you I sincerely wish to continue the academic path I had chosen and I have taken steps to correct my issues. I will succeed in the future given a second chance.

In summary, I caused the worst situation in my life to appear, I ignored the signals that I was having issues, I lost my exam period to worry and concern, I am getting help, I will overcome my shortcomings, I will succeed in the future. That is why I am asking for a second chance to continue my previous academic plan and realise my goal of obtaining a bachelor of computing.