Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Studies):

I would like to waive the 21-day or one term deadline so that I could apply for a late appeal. There were extenuating circumstances that were ongoing from the time there was the academic ruling and it prevented me to make a cohesive decision but I would like to appeal the Faculty¿¿s decision that I must withdraw from Queen¿¿s University for one year.

As a second year student I knew the expectations of my program and course workloads and I was well adjusted to that in the beginning of the school year. My academic session was off to a well start and I knew when to ask for help when I needed it. However in Mid October, there was a personal situation that affected my academic performance and my mental health. I am not comfortable to elaborate much on the situation but there was an internal struggle that heeded me from concentrating and focusing on my studies. It affected me to the point where I could not focus and I found that there was a lack on energy in regards of my health. However I did reach out to Queen¿¿s Student Health Services in the LaSalle Building so that I could be given a proper diagnosis and assistance. I was diagnosed with Mild to Severe Depression and I have been receiving proper medication and counselling to cope with this condition since the diagnosis. I was able to improve my mental health from taking my required medication and receiving counselling. After these adjustments and balancing my academics with my physical health as well as my mental health, I was able to get back on the right track of my academic performances. I would be able to attach a medical documentation from the Queen¿¿s Health Service if that is necessary. This situation did not affect my entire academic session, I was able to recover and cope with the situation. However, in the second semester I received news that my immediate family member (my grandmother) was very ill and that greatly affected my academic performance immensely because I was very close with my grandmother. The situation affected me from the night I received the news to the last day of my academic session. It affected my overall performance because I was unable to study to my best potential, which had a domino effect throughout the year. I was mentally exhausted by the time of second semester final exams. Unfortunately my grandmother passed away a week after I returned from my final examinations but I know she is at a better place now. I did not know what proper documentation to include in this appeal so I have included a photocopied attachment of my grandmother¿¿s death certificate. This was another factor as to why I did not appeal within the deadline. I was dealing with the funeral and the loss of my grandmother and I quite frankly needed time to think whether I am in the right mindset to continue my studies next academic term. Since then I have had so many resources available to get me through this situation and I am so grateful. I was able to regain my motivation through moral support from my family, academic advisors and religious groups. I consciously allotted time before I applied for an appeal because I wanted to be certain that that was what I truly though was best. I obtained support from academic counselors to help my plan on how to move on from this point from an academic standpoint. They were able to redirect me to resources that would help me plan my academic career not only for the upcoming years but the years to follow. This situation will not reoccur as I not only go forth being more conscious of my physical health but as well as my mental health. Although there has been a series of event that have inclined me to a poor performance this academic year, I do believe I do have the right motivation, work ethic and support system to perform well next academic year.

With the consultation of academic advisors, I was able to create an academic plan for the next academic session. During the academic session of Fall/ Winter 2016-2017, I intend to remain undeclared for my degree plan as I plan to increase my GPA over the next year before deciding upon a major. I am also planning on taking a lighter course load of 4 courses initially but if I am able to adjust to the four courses in the beginning of the term, I will then take a fifth course in the term. I also plan to contact the academic advisors when I need any consultation with any academic advice because they have been so helpful to plan my academic plan, what to appeal and moral support in general. My main priority will be to improve and maintain a good average so that I would have options of which degree plan I would want to take in the future. I honestly believe that I did not put forward my best potential last academic session so I would like a second chance to redeem my academic standing.