Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Bénard,

I am writing this letter to appeal to drop DEVS 392 (Fall, 2016) due to extenuating circumstances regarding struggles with my mental health.

Though I have struggled with issues of anxiety and depression over the past 5 years, I have normally been able to have control over my mental health in terms of it affecting my academics. This is why I have been able to maintain a decent grade average, an accomplishment that I am very proud of. This semester, however, has left me feeling incredibly overwhelmed. My anxiety levels and depression have been high and have affected my ability to get out of bed to attend class and have especially affected my ability to finish assignments for the intended due dates. This lack of control over my anxiety and depression has led to a decrease in my class attendance and missed assignments, specifically in DEVS 392. The difficulty and strictness of the class left me feeling incredibly helpless, and often anxiety attacks would ensue prior to seminars, leaving me with a very low attendance rate. Along with this, I was unable to complete assignments to my best ability or complete them at all due to my anxiety. As I would attempt to work on the assignments, my body would become paralyzed with anxiety and I could not focus on the task at hand.

Although I tried very hard to push through the semester and succeed in all of my classes, I reached a point where I could no longer handle the pressure and anxiety that was onset due to DEVS 392. I made the decision to discuss my options with an Academic Advisor, who guided me through the process of appealing to drop the course as well as looking into applying for accommodations for next semester. She assured me that as the class is not mandatory, if the grant to drop is approved, I would just need to make up the credit at some point in the next year and a half. I am confident that after having reached this low point I will take the steps necessary to succeed for the rest of my academic career.

I have already contacted potential therapists that I could see in Kingston next semester to help strategize how to organize my schoolwork and thoughts so that my anxiety does not affect my future doings. My therapist from home, Sherry Holt, has offered to provide over-the-phone sessions to me next semester as well. My academics are so important to me and personally reflect my ability to overcome my struggles in the past, and for this reason I will take every step needed to ensure I have control over my mental illness and can continue doing what I love here at Queen¿¿s University ¿¿ learning.

In sum, I believe that with dropping this course, I will be pushed to take every step needed to have greater control over my anxiety and depression so that it does not affect my academic career in the future.

I will be happy to answer any questions you may have for me. Thank you very much for taking the time to review my request.

Sincerely,

Tyler Rose Hunt