Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Omar Elmor
20019084
24 August, 2017
Letter of Appeal
Associate Dean
Faculty of Arts & Science
Queen¿¿s University
Kingston, ON

Dear Associate Dean,

The Request:
I am appealing to be granted Agrotat standings in PHIL111 and ENGL100, and to be given late permission to drop HIST121, LLCU110 during the winter term, and PSYC110, which was taken online during the 2017 summer semester.

Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances:
Throughout my student career I have struggled with various mindset and mental health challenges, most namely performance anxiety, bipolar mood disorder (manic depression), and ADHD, the last two of which were only recently diagnosed (I have attached a supplementary document from my psychiatrist (Dr. Hae R. Kim). As an immigrant, I have always held high academic expectations for myself, believing this to be mandatory considering my parents¿¿ generosity in providing me an education here in Canada. However, this grew to be much more challenging as the years progressed, and this perfectionist mindset developed into performance anxiety - I would grow increasingly anxious with each assignment and become less inclined to complete the task. This performance anxiety was only worsened by my manic depression. Especially so in the 2017 winter term at Queen¿¿s, when I would not attend any classes or complete any assignments, keeping to myself in my room instead. These mindset and mood challenges carried over to all aspects of my life, including my athletic performance with the Varsity Track Club, and the more ¿failures¿¿ I perceived of myself, the more reclusive I became. Fortunately, near the beginning of exam season, I sought counselling with residence counsellor Freeman Woolnough, and met with Spring Forsberg to plan how to recover and progress. Their guidance helped me to gather the motivation to study for and attend my PHIL111 and ENGL100 exams.
After this turning point, I overestimated myself and assumed I was ready to commit to a full-time job with Student Works, my band from high school, off-season training for track, as well as the PSYC110 summer course. This gradually fell apart, my depressive states became more radical, and, like before, I did not submit any assignments after the first few weeks of classes. Thus my challenges were ongoing.

Future Plan:
During one of my low points, I managed to reach out to my parents, who helped me find professional help. I am now taking prescription medication for my bipolar disorder, have quit the Student Works job, and am ready to treat the road to recovery with more of a long term approach, as opposed to immediate results. My experience with the medication thus far has been successful, however I also have made plans with my psychiatrist to continue treatment with a psychologist in Kingston for talk therapy addressing my performance anxiety and fixed mindset. In addition, I have prepared for this upcoming year to have a lighter course load, and have also brought into consideration the option of taking a gap year depending on the results of this following academic year.