Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Claire Dufresne
6943 Livingstone Dr. S.W.
Calgary, Alberta, T3E 6J6
Cell: 403 850 2118

January 4, 2017

CONFIDENTIAL ¿¿ FOR PURPOSES OF APPEAL ONLY

Associate Dean (Studies)
Faculty of Arts & Science
Queen¿¿s University
Kingston, Ontario

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am appealing to drop PHYS 344, PHYS 316, PHYS 350, PHYS 313, and PHYS P20 (Fall 2016) without academic penalty. The purpose of this letter is to outline the extenuating circumstances which prevented me from dropping the courses prior to the academic deadline.

In June of 2016 the troubles I had experienced during my second year of university at Queen¿¿s finally came to light, and I was diagnosed with major clinical depression and anxiety. I had been struggling during the year (2015-2016) with managing the stress of a full schedule composed of all physics and math courses. Soon I began to fall behind, not only in my academics, but in every aspect of my life. I had lost interest in social engagements and physical activity, my sleep was altered, and my motivation to advance myself in any way, especially academically, was completely buried. This downward spiral continued on throughout the academic year, and upon returning home for the summer.

Finally, I received the diagnosis for the two serious mental health disorders mentioned above, and throughout the summer I received treatment for my illnesses. By the end of August, I felt much better, and believed that I was prepared to take on third year, and planned to go on at Queen¿¿s as usual. I made the mistake, however, of trying to take a full physics course load, while also balancing an extracurricular, and social schedule. A few weeks into the fall semester, the stress became overwhelming and I noticed the previous symptoms of my depression returning. I slowly dropped all physical activity and most social engagements, because I could not bring myself to engage in them, and also because I tried to devote all my remaining energy to my academics. Completing assignments and studying for tests became nearly impossible and eventually I stopped handing in much of my work, and I showed up for tests unprepared. Following an emotional breakdown late one night, I decided to follow the advice of my counsellor, who had advised me during the previous week that it would perhaps be beneficial to take a step back from school and sort out my health. I called my parents in a state of anxious panic, and them, realizing that I was more depressed and at risk of harm than I had ever been, arranged for me to come home to Calgary immediately.

Since being home, I have been very focused on improving my mental health. My treatment is currently going very well and I am noticing many positive changes with regards to my outlook on my academics and my future. I have considered every option regarding my academic situation, which included the possibility of changing programs, and even schools. Having realistically contemplated everything, I am now more certain than ever of my decision to continue with my studies in physics, at Queen¿¿s. Feeling re-energized to continue studying in an area that I am truly passionate about, yet fully aware of the unique challenges that learning this subject presents, I propose some changes to my academic experience. First, upon returning to Queen¿¿s, I would enroll in no more than 2 or 3 courses, to reduce stress related to my course load, and keep my feelings of depression and anxiety at bay. Also, I would like to meet with Disability Services at Queen¿¿s and discuss exactly what accommodations may help me achieve my goals, despite my mental health condition. In future terms, I would like to mix in more diverse electives with my physics courses, to avoid feeling bombarded by complex concepts and mathematics in every course. These changes, as well as having accepted that I am affected with disorders that have completely transformed the way that I am able to learn, have given me a newfound determination to succeed, despite the added difficulty I am facing.

These adjustments, I expect, will allow me to be successful with continuing towards my degree. I hope to have this appeal granted so I can move forward from this difficult time, without affecting my future academic endeavors, and return to being the interested, excited, and powerfully motivated student that I am.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,





Claire Dufresne
10138132
13cd48@queensu.ca
403 850 2118