Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 2356
Submitted: June 13, 2016 at 3:46:29 AM
First Name: Eric
Last Name: Irwin
Student Number: 10112961
Email: 13emgi@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: HIST
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for a minimum of three years
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean (Studies),
My name is Eric Irwin (10112961) and I am appealing the Faculty¿¿s decision that I must withdraw from Queen¿¿s University for a minimum of three years as I encountered extenuating circumstances beyond my control. During my first year at Queen¿¿s I experienced challenges with mental stress as well as depression and was unable to achieve success and was issued a requirement to withdraw for a year. At the time I decided to take that year to learn about what I faced and start to address it by seeking counselling and assistance from my Doctor. When I returned this past year I encountered mental problems that were out of my control.
Throughout the year of studies I encountered deep depressive episodes that severely impacted and halted my studies. The year started well until around mid to late October as I started to slip down into depression being effected year long. As this happened I remained in a struggle as I was in a cycle of falling farther into the depression where my lack of class attendence would add to my issues with self-worth which made me isolate myself and miss classes which created a loop I was stuck in. The effects of the depression were compounded by the fact that during this time my Father entered the hospital unexpectedly in January and my Sister had recently given birth; both of which were significantly adding to the mental stress I was under. During this depression I isolated myself for as much as I could avoiding people in general and was unable to get help at the time. This isolation would lead to the depression worsening as the year progressed and I was missing my classes and projects.
In mid-April I felt well enough to reach out to the counselling help available at Queen¿¿s which proved to be a large help. I have continued to seek counselling at home as well as planning to see my Doctor to learn about different medication options I can look into at this point. With this support I have been working very hard at building an academic plan that would greatly assist me in achieving academic success if my appeal is granted.
My name is Eric Irwin (10112961) and I am appealing the Faculty¿¿s decision that I must withdraw from Queen¿¿s University for a minimum of three years as I encountered extenuating circumstances beyond my control. During my first year at Queen¿¿s I experienced challenges with mental stress as well as depression and was unable to achieve success and was issued a requirement to withdraw for a year. At the time I decided to take that year to learn about what I faced and start to address it by seeking counselling and assistance from my Doctor. When I returned this past year I encountered mental problems that were out of my control.
Throughout the year of studies I encountered deep depressive episodes that severely impacted and halted my studies. The year started well until around mid to late October as I started to slip down into depression being effected year long. As this happened I remained in a struggle as I was in a cycle of falling farther into the depression where my lack of class attendence would add to my issues with self-worth which made me isolate myself and miss classes which created a loop I was stuck in. The effects of the depression were compounded by the fact that during this time my Father entered the hospital unexpectedly in January and my Sister had recently given birth; both of which were significantly adding to the mental stress I was under. During this depression I isolated myself for as much as I could avoiding people in general and was unable to get help at the time. This isolation would lead to the depression worsening as the year progressed and I was missing my classes and projects.
In mid-April I felt well enough to reach out to the counselling help available at Queen¿¿s which proved to be a large help. I have continued to seek counselling at home as well as planning to see my Doctor to learn about different medication options I can look into at this point. With this support I have been working very hard at building an academic plan that would greatly assist me in achieving academic success if my appeal is granted.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: If this appeal is successful my academic plan consists of changing my projected major and study focus from History to Classics as I found interest and some success in the CLST 129 course I was in. It helped that in that course I had a friend that ensured I knew what was upcoming in the class and always asked if I was okay which is something I feel the Peer Mentoring would greatly assist me in replicating in a return to studies. With the change in study direction I would schedule regular appointments with a personal counsellor bi-weekly so I can continue to receive help with depression in an ongoing way which will help keep it in control as well as taking whatever medication that my doctor and I ultimately decide is best for me to help handle the depression. In conjunction with that I would look at taking a lighter course load which would lower stress levels that can become a problem in tandem with depression and request a Peer Mentor from the Queen¿¿s program as I know that having a weekly meeting with somebody to talk about classes will help hold me accountable and assist in stopping me from isolating myself as I did this year if I were to experience as severe a depression again. I¿¿ve already started building a support system of friends at Queen¿¿s as well, I have been explaining my mental issues to a handful of friends that attend the university and who I feel comfortable confiding in and asking assistance from them should I need it, the lack of a support system for me this year is something that lead to my problem and is something I have been trying to address since I have been able to. Ultimately I strongly feel that if I were permitted to return to studies with the success of this appeal I would experience great success at Queen¿¿s University with this plan.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: Document of support from Queen's counselling at HCDS supporting that the mental issues occured and how we talked about treating it
Documentation Detail: Document of support fro my counsellor documenting the issue and how it was something that cna be effectively worked on
Documentation Detail: Document from my doctor detailing the medical steps we are taking
Decision Letters
Amendment to Appeal 2356
Relevant Petition: 2356
Student Number: 10112961
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: Document that was mailed to you by Queens Counsellor Janet Roloson as a letter of support
Document: Wu letter.jpeg
Documentation Detail: Letter from my medical doctor outlining my process in treatment and issues encountered
Document: Graham letter.jpg
Documentation Detail: Letter from my counsellor I have been seeing for a while now about my condition and how it effects me with steps I am taking to combat it.