Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am appealing to get standing credit for two six-unit full year courses: Psychology 100 and Philosophy 111. I received a D grade in both courses. I am also appealing to drop Music 100 in hopes that I would be able to receive standing credit.

Prior to attending Queens University I struggled with anxiety and saw a therapist to help me combat the condition. Once I started my first semester I realized I was also struggling with severe homesickness which exacerbated my anxiety.

Though I was struggling I did what I thought was my best but once I completed midterms in December I knew that it was a very real issue. On March 11th right before finals began my grandfather passed away. I immediately flew home to Guyana to be with my family and for the funeral. While there, my mother¿¿s uncle who I was close with also passed away. I was overwhelmed with grief and plagued with the thought of having to leave my family during this really tough time. In addition, my grief caused me to withdraw and have a hard time socially. This withdrawal made me the target of one person in my dorm in particular who then made it very difficult for me. Having never been away from my family and being unable to fit in socially was very trying on me and lead to my inability to focus.

I believe the culmination of those events resulted in lack of concentration on my studies. Therefore, my midterm grades were very much affected. I did not perform to my full potential as my mind was pre-occupied with grief as well as anxiety of not fitting in and being away from home.

Once I realized how much of an issue this posed for me I spoke with my mother who arranged for me to have sessions with my therapist, Lydia Rosa, via telephone. These phone sessions began in October. Though this helped me tremendously it was unfortunately too late in the semester and my grades were already in jeopardy.

I approached attending University as a very excited and optimistic student. I could not have foreseen all of the events that occurred to have happened or for it to have affected me the way that it did. I am continually having sessions with my therapist and am using this as a learning opportunity. I believe this will help me control my ongoing anxiety. In hindsight, I believe that I took on too many courses and perhaps more than I could handle. I plan to take a lighter course load of three courses per semester and take full advantage of the helpful resources Queens University has provided for me. I am entering the next year of University knowing not only what to expect but what will be expected of me. I would also like to add that while I was able to acquire the name of most of the professors for the courses that I am requesting standing credit, I was unable to obtain the Professor for Psychology. There was a change of Professor in the Winter and the office was unable to confirm the name for me.


Please afford me the opportunity to continue my studies with a more clear and sound mind.