Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of Studies,

It has been three years since I was last a student of Queens University. During my hiatus I have spent time to reflect on my past transgressions and what I need to focus on moving forward. I am writing to you today to give me the opportunity to explain why I should be reinstated for studies at Queens University. After leaving Queens I was not emotionally and mentally ready to continue my academic career. I believed it would be better to get a job and add structure to my life. The past three years have been an eye opening experience for me. I had to dig deep into myself to ensure I succeeded. Through the challenges, I learned some of the harsh realities that followed without having a formal educational background. The time away has helped me develop a work ethic and an understanding that hard work and determination are key to achieving all your goals. I have come a long way in achieving the ¿¿better¿ me and I am convinced that coming back to Queens University will help me take the next leap forward. Being away from Queens allowed me to understand the importance of a good education and how I nearly missed an excellent opportunity.
I recognized that in my personal quest for improvement, I had to take ownership of my entire life. I took that responsibility seriously and moved to Vancouver, BC, away from my friends and family to truly understand myself. Trying to adapt to a new city, lifestyle, discipline and independency without my family was a difficult challenge but I overcame it. In the process, I learnt a very valuable lesson: that the only person who can truly help me is myself. I have spent the past two years working, building structure in my life and enhancing my skills. Throughout my experiences and achievements and accomplishments, I surpassed even the goals I had set. It took some time for me to gain back my confidence and to prioritize my time gainfully; however, now I feel I am ready to commit my time and effort meaningfully towards my education. I have grown into a mature adult who is ready to fulfill what it means to be part of Queens University. I am ready to apply my acquired zest and zeal which I have acquired over the past two years towards my studies and to make it my number one priority to achieve my goal and that is to graduate from Queens University.
My request to the Associate Dean of Studies is to allow me to be reinstated into Queens University and give me the opportunity to continue my education and graduate with a General in Economics degree. I would also like to request that I be able to take some of my courses online during the Summer Term of 2018. To reignite my academic career, I would commence with taking ECON 212 Microeconomic Theory 1, a core course that I need to retake and two electives including PSYC 100 Principles of Psychology and SPAN 111 Beginning Spanish 1. I believe these three courses will be a great way to prove to Queens and to my self that I am fit to finish my degree. In order to pursue my education online this summer I will need to utilize Queens University student services, have weekly counseling meetings to ensure that I am headed in the correct direction and that I am managing my time wisely. I plan to join online groups with other students to discuss our material further. I also intend, to find a tutor from my local university to help me confidently complete the courses I find more challenging, ECON 212 Microeconomic Theory 1. Once I have successfully completed my online courses, I will appropriately consult the necessary help by meeting with my academic advisor, have counselling appointments, join workshops to improve any required skills and be active with my class and professor with all my courses I take going forward on campus.
What I have learned with my time off from school is that I am able to accomplish anything I put my mind to. At this moment in my life, there is nothing more important to me than becoming a Queens University student and graduate. I understand I will have obstacles along my way, but with my experience I am confident I will be able to work around them to find the right assistance I need to get it done correctly. I am still trying to achieve my dream, to graduate from Queens University. The burden of not completing my degree has held me down for some time. I feel now is the best time for me to come back and accomplish my dream. If you could please recognize that I have grown into a mature adult and do know the value of responsibilities, I would be grateful Queens will allow me to get to the next level of building structure in my life.

Sincerely,
Nabeel Rashid