Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Atkinson and Dr. Bénard, Associate Deans (Studies),

I am appealing for credit standing for SOCY122-700 (Fall/Winter 2017-18). I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety since I was sixteen years old, but this year it manifested into intense episodes of either extreme panic or complete despondence. I started having more difficulty motivating myself and retaining what I had learned in lectures, and schoolwork did not come as easily to me anymore. I teetered on the edge of complete disassociation when faced with important tasks I needed to accomplish, and with panic at not being able to perfectly complete the tasks set out for me. I spoke with many counselors at Student Wellness Services (SWS), and throughout the sessions, specifically the session with Rina Gupta - who agreed to support my claims - it became apparent I had a phobic reaction to deadlines and assessments.

To be a Queen's student means to show a great deal of academic and extracurricular excellence, and that pressure manifested itself in me in a very negative way. Instead of feeling motivated, I felt trapped in the idea that I could never regain the ability to learn in the same high-functioning way I always had. I worked very hard to push through my highs and lows to succeed in my courses, but ultimately I had not found a solid way for me to cope with my own expectations of success.

In the middle of my Sociology 122 final exam, I experienced a panic attack that would not relent. I went to the bathroom to try to calm myself down, but multiple proctors noticed my distress, and the Chief Proctor asked if I wanted to go to SWS to speak with a counselor. At the time, I was in no position to be in an exam room where, not only would I not be in an environment where I could succeed, I would be affecting those taking exams around me. I was walked to the Wellness Services and spoke with a counselor, and I managed to outline a plan for my future success. I sent an email to my professor regarding the exam, but the circumstances were not ideal and I was not allowed to retake the examination. It was a terrible situation, and my professor, Dr. Rob Beamish, shared his willingness to support my appeal for a pass/fail credit standing.

I have been trying very hard to push through my inhibitions and succeed. It has been a long road thus far, and the road ahead is even longer. I have been attending regular counseling sessions at Student Wellness Services, I have spoken with my physician about treatment plans and I have changed my lifestyle to try to promote a more positive and well-functioning life and self. My intentions initially when starting my degree had been to take a more specialized route in my program, but knowing my own recent limitations, I picked a program that still made me passionate but that didn't overwhelm me. I am doing my best to get myself in a place where I can be the most successful and fulfilled I can be. I know myself well enough to know that I can be my own worst enemy, and I've put a system in place that keeps me accountable to not only myself, but to people in my life who care greatly about my success and well-being.

This appeal would mean that my GPA would not be affected by this incident, which significantly impacted my final grade, and I would be able to better pursue all of the wonderful things I see for my own future.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Danelle Jammes