Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Studies)

My name is Fionn Hembruff, and I am a first-year student at Queen¿¿s university. Over the last couple of months during which I attended school at Queen¿¿s, I have been struggling with some problems regarding my emotional and mental health, which my parents and I believe contributed to some issues that I experienced. Some of these issues include not doing any of the work assigned to me, or attending class for most of the semester. I would like to submit this letter and appeal to have the courses that I have on my transcript removed due to extenuating circumstances which may have inhibited me from performing to the ability that I am capable. I have attached an official document from my healthcare provider explaining my current health issues. I have been referred to see a psychiatrist which I will be doing in January. I would like to make the point of saying that I do not believe that this is the fault of the university or the professors at all, I do like Queen¿¿s very much, and I am planning to return next fall once I have figured out what is wrong with me, and have gotten on a better footing to be able to give my full attention to my studies.
I think what contributed to my failure this fall consists of many things. I haven¿¿t spent so much time away from my family before, coming from a house with six people and a very close family, to a new place where I didn¿¿t know anybody was difficult. Another thing I should add is that I was on the varsity rowing team, and I was not able to make many connections with my hallmates or almost anyone in my building due to my practice hours, so I was very lonely at times. I spent more time thinking and stressing about the problems I had, things I hadn¿¿t done and work I needed to do, that I would push it aside and ignore it, which looking back was obviously a poor decision and built up the anxiety. Even things like getting out of bed and going to get food became monotonous and I had very little motivation to do anything. I don¿¿t quite know the problem just yet, but I will be speaking with a psychiatrist to figure out the exact issues I had, but I believe that they were out of my control.
I have complete confidence in my ability to put out stellar grades, in all my classes, but in the state I am in right now it is extremely difficult to do so. I don¿¿t believe that rowing affected me, in retrospect I believe that it was a positive thing in many ways and I would like to continue with the team upon my return to school. I plan to take some online courses this winter if possible, as well as getting a job which will help to provide some structure to my life. My current plan is to return to Queen¿¿s and my studies next fall. My hope and the hope of my parents is that with the help of a professional I will be able to turn things around and find a better path for success where I can benefit from the amazing opportunities presented to me, and where I can happily call myself a student of Queen¿¿s university.