Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 2383
Submitted: June 14, 2016 at 3:33:41 AM
First Name: Taylor
Last Name: Gavin
Student Number: 10008106
Email: 0tg9@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BA
Plan: PSYC
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: June 14, 2016
Dear Associate Dean (Studies),
I am appealing the Faculty's decision that I must withdraw from Queen's for a minimum of one year.
I have been experiencing extenuating circumstances, beyond my control, which has led to my poor academic performance at Queen's. I suffer from debilitating anxiety and depression, which was drastically increased starting June of 2015 to December 2015, where I was a survivor of an emotionally abusive relationship. My anxiety and depression continued to increase exponentially following the end of this relationship, from January until today. I was unable to attend classes, and had extreme trouble focusing on studying, because I was unable to control my mental health. In most of my classes, I found it extremely difficult submitting assignments by their due dates, seeing as my anxiety would overwhelm me. I did not have the strength, both physically and mentally to exert the effort to complete the assignments. I also had extreme troubles focusing on course content. As a result, my final grade was heavily dependent on succeeding on my final exams for each course; However, I ended up becoming overwhelmed, and unable to focus completely because of my extenuating circumstances.
During this time, I avoided acknowledging my mental health issues, because I was in denial and felt embarrassed that I allowed this situation into my life. I isolated myself from my friends and family, and ignored seeking help when I needed it the most. I finally sought out professional help, starting May 2016, by seeing psychologist Dr. Connie Wong in Toronto, ON. During our sessions, I have started Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to work on managing my anxiety and depression. I have also moved in with family in the countryside, to focus on my mental health; I will be beginning future treatment with a Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Reside, to aid in my fight against anxiety, as well as act as a personal advisor. Other efforts to manage my mental health, include mindful meditation and the practice of yoga, which I began early May 2016 as well.
Should my appeal be accepted, I plan to take a lighter course load to work towards graduation, while also meeting with both my psychologist and my naturopathic doctor regularly, to ensure that I stay on the right path to cope with my mental health issues. Additionally, I will continue to practice mindful meditation and yoga, to promote a healthy mind and body. I have also completed a 'Study Skills Course' to improve my study habits and gain better knowledge on how to effectively and successfully complete the courses I am in. By meeting with both health care professionals, and acknowledging my mental health issues, I will be in a better state of mind to complete my courses and raise my GPA. My main goal is to graduate this next year, as I am nearing the end of my degree and I am more motivated than ever to complete this chapter in my life in a positive state of mind.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my appeal.
Sincerely,
Taylor Gavin
10008106
Dear Associate Dean (Studies),
I am appealing the Faculty's decision that I must withdraw from Queen's for a minimum of one year.
I have been experiencing extenuating circumstances, beyond my control, which has led to my poor academic performance at Queen's. I suffer from debilitating anxiety and depression, which was drastically increased starting June of 2015 to December 2015, where I was a survivor of an emotionally abusive relationship. My anxiety and depression continued to increase exponentially following the end of this relationship, from January until today. I was unable to attend classes, and had extreme trouble focusing on studying, because I was unable to control my mental health. In most of my classes, I found it extremely difficult submitting assignments by their due dates, seeing as my anxiety would overwhelm me. I did not have the strength, both physically and mentally to exert the effort to complete the assignments. I also had extreme troubles focusing on course content. As a result, my final grade was heavily dependent on succeeding on my final exams for each course; However, I ended up becoming overwhelmed, and unable to focus completely because of my extenuating circumstances.
During this time, I avoided acknowledging my mental health issues, because I was in denial and felt embarrassed that I allowed this situation into my life. I isolated myself from my friends and family, and ignored seeking help when I needed it the most. I finally sought out professional help, starting May 2016, by seeing psychologist Dr. Connie Wong in Toronto, ON. During our sessions, I have started Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to work on managing my anxiety and depression. I have also moved in with family in the countryside, to focus on my mental health; I will be beginning future treatment with a Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Reside, to aid in my fight against anxiety, as well as act as a personal advisor. Other efforts to manage my mental health, include mindful meditation and the practice of yoga, which I began early May 2016 as well.
Should my appeal be accepted, I plan to take a lighter course load to work towards graduation, while also meeting with both my psychologist and my naturopathic doctor regularly, to ensure that I stay on the right path to cope with my mental health issues. Additionally, I will continue to practice mindful meditation and yoga, to promote a healthy mind and body. I have also completed a 'Study Skills Course' to improve my study habits and gain better knowledge on how to effectively and successfully complete the courses I am in. By meeting with both health care professionals, and acknowledging my mental health issues, I will be in a better state of mind to complete my courses and raise my GPA. My main goal is to graduate this next year, as I am nearing the end of my degree and I am more motivated than ever to complete this chapter in my life in a positive state of mind.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my appeal.
Sincerely,
Taylor Gavin
10008106
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Academic Plan
Taylor Gavin
Course of Study
Bachelor of Arts, major in Psychology.
Although my academic performance has been underwhelming in this degree due to extenuating circumstances, I do find it the most interesting, especially with how I can personally relate to the information I am learning.
In order to graduate I need 9 more credits, and 6 of them have to be from PSYC courses at the 200 level or above. My proposed course to take Fall 2016 would be PSYC 235, Abnormal Psychology. This course is 6 credits, and it goes from September to April.
Another proposed course would be PSYC 333, Winter 2016. I have previously taken this course and actually got a B on my final, however I lacked other grades, so my final grade was poor. I would retake this course to improve my grade, and overall GPA.
Some courses I think I could take outside of the Psychology department, that I would find personally interesting would be GNDS 120 or GNDS 215. I would have to look into gaining permission from the department to take GNDS 215, however I think these courses would be enjoyable, and thus I would be more inclined to succeed.
With these courses, I would plan to graduate by April 2017 to complete my degree. My academic goal is to achieve a grade of a B or above in all classes, to raise my GPA for graduation.
Full Time VS Part Time
I think that I would benefit from a lighter course load, and thus, would be a part time student to allocate proper amount of time to each course and succeed. I will not be working, seeing as I am fortunate enough to have remainder of my tuition paid for- this will give me the opportunity to focus on my studies during this time.
Strategies For Success
I have began therapy (cognitive behavioural therapy) as well as a practice of yoga, and meetings with a naturopathic doctor/life coach, all to help manage my mental health issues which were posing a threat to my academic success. I also will reduce my course load, so I am not overwhelmed with the course content to ensure success. Additionally, I have sought out a peer tutor to help motivate me with my studies, and have taken a 'Study Skills Course', to learn key tools and refresh myself with the best ways to succeed in school. I plan to set weekly goals with both health care professionals, in addition to my peer tutor, so that I am held accountable and can have some assistance in meeting deadlines.
Taylor Gavin
Course of Study
Bachelor of Arts, major in Psychology.
Although my academic performance has been underwhelming in this degree due to extenuating circumstances, I do find it the most interesting, especially with how I can personally relate to the information I am learning.
In order to graduate I need 9 more credits, and 6 of them have to be from PSYC courses at the 200 level or above. My proposed course to take Fall 2016 would be PSYC 235, Abnormal Psychology. This course is 6 credits, and it goes from September to April.
Another proposed course would be PSYC 333, Winter 2016. I have previously taken this course and actually got a B on my final, however I lacked other grades, so my final grade was poor. I would retake this course to improve my grade, and overall GPA.
Some courses I think I could take outside of the Psychology department, that I would find personally interesting would be GNDS 120 or GNDS 215. I would have to look into gaining permission from the department to take GNDS 215, however I think these courses would be enjoyable, and thus I would be more inclined to succeed.
With these courses, I would plan to graduate by April 2017 to complete my degree. My academic goal is to achieve a grade of a B or above in all classes, to raise my GPA for graduation.
Full Time VS Part Time
I think that I would benefit from a lighter course load, and thus, would be a part time student to allocate proper amount of time to each course and succeed. I will not be working, seeing as I am fortunate enough to have remainder of my tuition paid for- this will give me the opportunity to focus on my studies during this time.
Strategies For Success
I have began therapy (cognitive behavioural therapy) as well as a practice of yoga, and meetings with a naturopathic doctor/life coach, all to help manage my mental health issues which were posing a threat to my academic success. I also will reduce my course load, so I am not overwhelmed with the course content to ensure success. Additionally, I have sought out a peer tutor to help motivate me with my studies, and have taken a 'Study Skills Course', to learn key tools and refresh myself with the best ways to succeed in school. I plan to set weekly goals with both health care professionals, in addition to my peer tutor, so that I am held accountable and can have some assistance in meeting deadlines.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: A letter from my therapist/psychologist acknowledging my extenuating circumstances.
Decision Letters
Amendment to Appeal 2383
Relevant Petition: 2383
Student Number: 10008106
Documentation
Professional Letter: Screen Shot 2016-06-23 at 11.10.13 PM.png
