Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 3460
Submitted: May 15, 2017 at 9:46:14 AM
First Name: Doug
Last Name: Higgins
Student Number: 6209944
Email: 9dh17@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BA
Plan: GEOG
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Add a course after the academic deadline
Code: ARTH 120
Term: Summer
Year: 2017
Petition Category: Add a course after the academic deadline
Instructor's Name: Professor Jane Russell Corbett
Code: WRIT 125
Term: Summer
Year: 2017
Petition Category: Add a course after the academic deadline
Instructor's Name: Professors Lori Vos and Jean Prinsen
Code: LAW 202
Term: Summer
Year: 2017
Petition Category: Add a course after the academic deadline
Instructor's Name: Professor Hugo Choquette
Code: LAW 203
Term: Summer
Year: 2017
Petition Category: Add a course after the academic deadline
Instructor's Name: Professor Manoj Dias-Abey
Province / Region: Other
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dean Blake,
I would like to thank you in advance for your time and consideration on this matter. As per our conversation on Friday, May 12th, I understand your hesitation in granting this appeal, however, it is my intent to show that I am capable and ready to continue my studies this term with the university. I hope that this appeal to add classes after the official 'Add/Drop' date is sufficient to assuage any concerns that you may have. I am eager to move forward with my studies this semester, and am prepared to begin as soon as possible.
Academic Plan
Courses:
For the Summer semester of 2017, I am requesting your permission to participate in the following courses, all of which I have received instructor permission to join:
- ARTH 120 (6.0 units) Art in the West from Antiquity to Modernity
- WRIT 125 (3.0 units) Fundamentals of Academic Essay writing
- LAW 202 (3.0 units) Aboriginal Law
- LAW 203 (3.0 units) Workplace Law
Both ARTH 120 and WRIT 125 are courses that I have previously taken. I am familiar with the material, own the course resources, and understand the types of assessment that will be used in both courses. In addition to my familiarity with the courses, completing them with good grades will have an outsize effect on my GPA, making them especially important.
LAW 202 and LAW 203 are two courses that I have a great degree of personal interest in. I took LAW 201 last Summer with Professor Maur, and performed well in the course. I understood the material, and found the course very engaging. With respect to the law courses this term, I feel that I have experience that will be helpful. Having worked with a wide variety of companies with differing labour codes and compliance protocols will be relevant in Workplace Law. As well, I have been fortunate to work within several indigenous communities in Canada and abroad since 2012. The experience I gained in these professional experiences is useful and relevant, however, it is my interest in the course material that will make me succeed. These issues are important to me, and that will be reflected in my work.
While I understand that this constitutes a full course load of 15 units, I would contend that it is appropriate and manageable, given that I will be able to dedicate myself to my studies in a Full-Time capacity. In addition to my experience with ARTH 120 and WRIT 125, I feel that the two law courses will complement one another, fitting well into my schedule. If I am able to take all four courses this semester, I can make the greatest positive impact upon my GPA. While I understand hesitance to allow this, I feel this is the best course forward.
I would like to thank you in advance for your time and consideration on this matter. As per our conversation on Friday, May 12th, I understand your hesitation in granting this appeal, however, it is my intent to show that I am capable and ready to continue my studies this term with the university. I hope that this appeal to add classes after the official 'Add/Drop' date is sufficient to assuage any concerns that you may have. I am eager to move forward with my studies this semester, and am prepared to begin as soon as possible.
Academic Plan
Courses:
For the Summer semester of 2017, I am requesting your permission to participate in the following courses, all of which I have received instructor permission to join:
- ARTH 120 (6.0 units) Art in the West from Antiquity to Modernity
- WRIT 125 (3.0 units) Fundamentals of Academic Essay writing
- LAW 202 (3.0 units) Aboriginal Law
- LAW 203 (3.0 units) Workplace Law
Both ARTH 120 and WRIT 125 are courses that I have previously taken. I am familiar with the material, own the course resources, and understand the types of assessment that will be used in both courses. In addition to my familiarity with the courses, completing them with good grades will have an outsize effect on my GPA, making them especially important.
LAW 202 and LAW 203 are two courses that I have a great degree of personal interest in. I took LAW 201 last Summer with Professor Maur, and performed well in the course. I understood the material, and found the course very engaging. With respect to the law courses this term, I feel that I have experience that will be helpful. Having worked with a wide variety of companies with differing labour codes and compliance protocols will be relevant in Workplace Law. As well, I have been fortunate to work within several indigenous communities in Canada and abroad since 2012. The experience I gained in these professional experiences is useful and relevant, however, it is my interest in the course material that will make me succeed. These issues are important to me, and that will be reflected in my work.
While I understand that this constitutes a full course load of 15 units, I would contend that it is appropriate and manageable, given that I will be able to dedicate myself to my studies in a Full-Time capacity. In addition to my experience with ARTH 120 and WRIT 125, I feel that the two law courses will complement one another, fitting well into my schedule. If I am able to take all four courses this semester, I can make the greatest positive impact upon my GPA. While I understand hesitance to allow this, I feel this is the best course forward.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: I have recognized that working full-time as well as trying to complete a full course load was not working. As such, I have suspended all work engagements until September, and am prepared to extend this, if absolutely necessary. This will allow me to focus my energy and attention on my academic obligations. I feel that the result of this will be a much higher level of confidence in the work that I complete, and a perfect submission rate. This term, I will submit every single assignment in full, on time. To date, I have already completed an assignment for WRIT 125, which I will submit as soon as I am added into the course.
I have eliminated another distraction from my studies by taking a leave of absence: travel. This term I have arranged permanent accommodation for myself where I will be able to quietly study. The interruptions from having poor working conditions, or an unreliable internet connection have been eliminated until my studies are complete. Having a regular, reliable schedule will be a big improvement for my academics, and this stability will make a difference to the quality and timeliness of the work I submit.
In addition to this, I plan on spending more time with the supplementary sources of each course. My biggest liability in the semesters past was not being incapable of completing the work; instead it was not being confident in the finished product that I had written. The concern that I had missed something caused me to delay submission until it was too late. I believe this was primarily the result of not being confident enough in my own knowledge. Having reflected on this, it is something I can be more aware of moving forward.
With respect to financial stability, physical and mental health, I am fortunate to be well-off in each category. However, I will remain cognizant of my desire to 'perfect' my submissions. I'm currently reading a book called Overcoming Perfectionism: Finding the Key to Balance by Ann Smith. It's a pretty light read, but I've found some catharsis in it.
I'm confident that this set of situational and strategic changes in my study plan will allow me to succeed this semester, and to set right some of the mistakes that I have made as a student. I have made some significant changes to my life so that I can finish something that is important to me. I have the motivation, as well as the capacity to succeed in the above courses, and it is my hope that this plan will inspire that same confidence on the part of the University as well. Thank you for your consideration.
I have eliminated another distraction from my studies by taking a leave of absence: travel. This term I have arranged permanent accommodation for myself where I will be able to quietly study. The interruptions from having poor working conditions, or an unreliable internet connection have been eliminated until my studies are complete. Having a regular, reliable schedule will be a big improvement for my academics, and this stability will make a difference to the quality and timeliness of the work I submit.
In addition to this, I plan on spending more time with the supplementary sources of each course. My biggest liability in the semesters past was not being incapable of completing the work; instead it was not being confident in the finished product that I had written. The concern that I had missed something caused me to delay submission until it was too late. I believe this was primarily the result of not being confident enough in my own knowledge. Having reflected on this, it is something I can be more aware of moving forward.
With respect to financial stability, physical and mental health, I am fortunate to be well-off in each category. However, I will remain cognizant of my desire to 'perfect' my submissions. I'm currently reading a book called Overcoming Perfectionism: Finding the Key to Balance by Ann Smith. It's a pretty light read, but I've found some catharsis in it.
I'm confident that this set of situational and strategic changes in my study plan will allow me to succeed this semester, and to set right some of the mistakes that I have made as a student. I have made some significant changes to my life so that I can finish something that is important to me. I have the motivation, as well as the capacity to succeed in the above courses, and it is my hope that this plan will inspire that same confidence on the part of the University as well. Thank you for your consideration.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: No Documents
Documentation Detail: No Documents