Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Associate Dean,

I am appealing to drop PSYC 202 - Introduction to Statistics - at this date. I understand that it is past the final course drop date. However, I believe the following extenuating circumstances, accompanied with a letter from my Psychiatrist, Dr. Simon J. O¿¿Brien, will explain extensively why I am dropping the course. This letter will explain the circumstances leading up to why I feel the need to drop the course; specifically this letter will outline the ongoing struggle to maintain my mental health, which became particularly difficult this semester.

Over the course of my academic career, I have experienced anxiety, along with other mental health disorders, which have on occasion impaired my ability to function, not only academically, but also sustainably. Combined, these disorders contribute to my difficulty to focus, meet deadlines, and reach out for proper assistance. This semester, my anxiety specifically was impairing my ability to function and I proactively met with my psychiatrist bi- weekly to discuss methods of coping. Over the course of September and October, my doctor and I decided to change my medication from one that I had been on for nearly one year. This change caused physical bodily symptoms, making it difficult to eat, and remain attentive; unfortunately my academics suffered as a result. I was struggling to sustain my basic bodily needs, in addition to my academics and daily routine. At this point, it was past the final drop date, and when I realized that I could not drop the course, I prioritized my mental health, and the courses I knew I was to remain in.

The course ¿¿Introduction to Statistics¿ was one I had taken previously, and failed in a similar fashion, and will be later appealing. This year I was prepared for a challenge, and dedicated at least 6-8 hours on the course weekly. I felt at first that I was keeping up with the work, but as the content became more complex, I began to lose my confidence in my ability to succeed in the course. This became a major source of anxiety for me, though I did continue to keep up with the course content and tutorials. However, as my association of anxiety with the course, along with my other mental health issues grew, it became increasingly difficult to manage the course load. At this point, I began seeing Dr. O¿¿Brien weekly, and at his recommendation, decided to change my medication. Dr. O¿¿Brien believed the medication may have been causing my severe mental health struggles. This was the first of two medication changes that I underwent within a three-week time period in November, the most recent of which was earlier this week.

I feel that I have already begun to take steps to avoid these issues in the future. I will continue to see Dr. O¿¿Brien on a regular basis, and follow his course of treatment, as well as seek support for my mental with my friends and family. My medication will remain integral to my ongoing mental health regiment. In the future, I will utilize the academic services available. I will use whatever available to attempt to appeal my previously failed course, which will alleviate some of my academic anxiety. I will also use their services proactively in response to feeling overwhelmed with school, as a new part of my mental health regiment. This letter illuminated a particularly difficult time in my life, which unfortunately adversely affected my academics, which are of the utmost importance to me. Experiencing the failure of the same course twice has also led me to contemplate my place in the Psychology DSC. I will be meeting with an academic advisor in the future to discuss the course of my degree.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,
Samantha Lall