Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Hi,

I am writing to appeal to drop the course PHIL 153 because I have been suffering from severe depression which has made it difficult for me to attend the class and complete the work.

I'm writing to explain that I suffer from mental health issues that have inhibited me from completing certain course requirements. These problems have played a major role in the completion of my work. In order to help my situation, I've used available resources on campus such as on-campus counselling, as well as prescribed medication, and I have continued to be open to and about my experiences regarding my mental illness.

I have been diagnosed with clinical depression which has caused me extreme fatigue, impaired concentration, insomnia, and extremely diminished interest in all of my daily activities. This has specifically affected me in this course because I have been unable to attend classes regularly and have, therefore, missed too much to catch up. In PHIL153, we are required to write weekly papers to make up 70 of our grade. I have already missed three because I have been too depressed to attend the class to obtain the topics of each paper and hand them in (we are required to hand in a hard copy in class). Even when I am able to attend the class, my inability to focus/concentrate makes it difficult for me to absorb any of the information.

Unfortunately, my condition is ongoing and while I am receiving treatment, nothing has made enough of a significant difference for me to return to my normal way of life.