Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 4643
Submitted: May 28, 2018 at 5:03:44 PM
First Name: Michaela
Last Name: Yard
Student Number: 20024766
Email: 16my2@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSH
Plan: Kinesiology
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline, Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Code: KNPE 254
Term: Winter
Year: 2018
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Tara Diesbourg
Code: ANAT 316
Term: Winter
Year: 2018
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Prof. Easteal
Code: KNPE 227
Term: Winter
Year: 2018
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: To Whom It May Concern:
I am appealing to the Faculty of Arts and Science to drop ANAT 316 (Winter 2018) and KNPE 227 (Winter 2018) and to request a CR in KNPE 254 (Winter 2018).
My 2018 academic year has been incredibly challenging and very unlike my successful first year at Queens. In the first semester, I experienced multiple extenuating circumstances that impacted my mental health and caused my academic performance to suffer. In an effort to not repeat the poor results of the first semester and on the advice of my academic advisor and counsellor, I chose to take a reduced course load in second semester (3 courses instead of 5). In addition, I continued with regular counselling and made multiple personal choices in an attempt to have a successful semester.
Although I thought I was making progress and improving, near midterm I had a family member pass away and I made the decision to return home to be with my family. I was able to write one of my midterm exams before I went home to Vancouver. One of my midterms was postponed till after I returned to Queen's. The third midterm, my professor was unwilling to re schedule, despite having explained my personal circumstances. This resulted in me having to take a 90 final for that class. When I returned back to Queen's after reading week my personal struggles continued. Despite my efforts to get back on track in second semester, I found it very difficult to focus on my studies as these personal problems were a constant distraction.
Even before the start of the final exam period, both my academic advisor and counsellor were urging me to take this next year off to focus on improving my mental health and to regain confidence in myself. Due to this advice and some deep personal reflection, I did ultimately decide to take the year off. Thinking through this decision on top of my other issues was incredibly emotional and caused an extreme amount of stress and anxiety. Even with all of this going on, I entered all my exams in good standing and had not imagined that I would fail any of my courses.
I had initially entered this semester with the goal of changing my second year around. Despite struggling with mental health throughout first semester I was still optimistic that I could improve my academic performance in second semester. Unfortunately, my struggles continued. As a result, I am appealing to drop ANAT 316 and KNPE 227. With regard to KNPE 254, despite passing the course, I do not believe the results a fair indication of my academic abilities. I understand from my fellow students that the final was generally not considered to be a fair exam as it included sections that were not part of the curriculum. In my case, due to the instructor's inflexibility in rescheduling the midterm my final ended up being worth 90.
Although I hate making excuses for my second-year academic performance, I honestly do not feel this year has been representative of my academic ability. Although I made significant effort to overcome my personal problems and get back to normal I was not successfully able to do so.
When I am ready to return to Queen's I plan on retaking both ANAT 316 and KNPE 227. My goal for this next year is to continue to focus on improving my mental health with the goal of returning as the hardworking and motivated student I was in my first year at Queen's.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and consider my appeal.
Michaela Yard
I am appealing to the Faculty of Arts and Science to drop ANAT 316 (Winter 2018) and KNPE 227 (Winter 2018) and to request a CR in KNPE 254 (Winter 2018).
My 2018 academic year has been incredibly challenging and very unlike my successful first year at Queens. In the first semester, I experienced multiple extenuating circumstances that impacted my mental health and caused my academic performance to suffer. In an effort to not repeat the poor results of the first semester and on the advice of my academic advisor and counsellor, I chose to take a reduced course load in second semester (3 courses instead of 5). In addition, I continued with regular counselling and made multiple personal choices in an attempt to have a successful semester.
Although I thought I was making progress and improving, near midterm I had a family member pass away and I made the decision to return home to be with my family. I was able to write one of my midterm exams before I went home to Vancouver. One of my midterms was postponed till after I returned to Queen's. The third midterm, my professor was unwilling to re schedule, despite having explained my personal circumstances. This resulted in me having to take a 90 final for that class. When I returned back to Queen's after reading week my personal struggles continued. Despite my efforts to get back on track in second semester, I found it very difficult to focus on my studies as these personal problems were a constant distraction.
Even before the start of the final exam period, both my academic advisor and counsellor were urging me to take this next year off to focus on improving my mental health and to regain confidence in myself. Due to this advice and some deep personal reflection, I did ultimately decide to take the year off. Thinking through this decision on top of my other issues was incredibly emotional and caused an extreme amount of stress and anxiety. Even with all of this going on, I entered all my exams in good standing and had not imagined that I would fail any of my courses.
I had initially entered this semester with the goal of changing my second year around. Despite struggling with mental health throughout first semester I was still optimistic that I could improve my academic performance in second semester. Unfortunately, my struggles continued. As a result, I am appealing to drop ANAT 316 and KNPE 227. With regard to KNPE 254, despite passing the course, I do not believe the results a fair indication of my academic abilities. I understand from my fellow students that the final was generally not considered to be a fair exam as it included sections that were not part of the curriculum. In my case, due to the instructor's inflexibility in rescheduling the midterm my final ended up being worth 90.
Although I hate making excuses for my second-year academic performance, I honestly do not feel this year has been representative of my academic ability. Although I made significant effort to overcome my personal problems and get back to normal I was not successfully able to do so.
When I am ready to return to Queen's I plan on retaking both ANAT 316 and KNPE 227. My goal for this next year is to continue to focus on improving my mental health with the goal of returning as the hardworking and motivated student I was in my first year at Queen's.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and consider my appeal.
Michaela Yard
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: Letter from Counselor