Manage Appeals
Petition Type: 3
ID: 4933
Submitted: September 5, 2018 at 12:15:10 PM
Relevant Petition: 4835
First Name: Sophie
Last Name: Chapple
Student Number: 10187024
Email: sophie.chapple@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: HIST
Level of Study: 4
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Jill Atkinson,
I write this letter with deep regret and embarrassment, but also full of hope and potential. My past few years at Queen¿¿s have consisted of some of the most traumatizing years in regards to my mental wellbeing. As a sufferer of anxiety and depression, my motivation was greatly affected. I was rarely able to leave my home, which meant that I failed to go to class and thus complete the appropriate coursework. For the last couple of years, my living situation has been extremely negative and scary and my self-worth suffered and led me to think that there was no point in trying. From living with toxic friendships to living with dangerous neighbors and landlords, I have not been able to establish a safe environment where I can focus on healing and leaning what I need to do to succeed.
The first few times that I tried to reach out for help, doctors assured me that I ¿¿looked fine¿ and that I should have nothing to be worried about. I had doctor appointments that were triggering experiences for me, and counsellors that would refuse to see me again. I felt like every time I tried to reach out, I was shut down.
With all of this being said, for the first time I see myself actually being able to succeed in school. Being sent the requirement to withdraw was a breaking point for me.
For the first time in years, I am regaining the motivation that I lost so long ago. I do consider myself an intelligent young person and one of my favorite things to do is learn. I have always genuinely loved school and although my grades the last few years have suffered greatly, this is not a reflection of my potential for hard-work and success. I am extremely hard-working and am confident that I am ready to prove that.
In order to overcome this challenge with my mental health and no longer allowing it to impact my school work, I reached out to both a healthcare professional and a personal counsellor (both of their letters are provided in this appeal). Thanks to their help I have made some significant life changes that are further outlined in my academic plan. I genuinely feel that I have filled my life with all of the essential tools and resources that I need in order to move on successfully and safely. I have found a new apartment where I will be living by myself, in a safe environment without distractions. Additionally, I have started seeing a counsellor regularly, who has provided me with a solid education on mental health and has provided me with amazing resources and tools that I am responding well to. I also have a very supportive GP who has prescribed me with a medication that has played a huge role in my recovery. Finally, I have let go and shared everything with my loved ones, which as a result has given me confidence in my future and has assured me that I have the support system that I need.
The letters that are being provided as documentation are from my family doctor and my counsellor. Both have been with me through this entire situation, and they both state in their letters that I am ready to return to school.
I ask that you please consider allowing my re-enrolment.
Sincerely,
Sophie Chapple
I write this letter with deep regret and embarrassment, but also full of hope and potential. My past few years at Queen¿¿s have consisted of some of the most traumatizing years in regards to my mental wellbeing. As a sufferer of anxiety and depression, my motivation was greatly affected. I was rarely able to leave my home, which meant that I failed to go to class and thus complete the appropriate coursework. For the last couple of years, my living situation has been extremely negative and scary and my self-worth suffered and led me to think that there was no point in trying. From living with toxic friendships to living with dangerous neighbors and landlords, I have not been able to establish a safe environment where I can focus on healing and leaning what I need to do to succeed.
The first few times that I tried to reach out for help, doctors assured me that I ¿¿looked fine¿ and that I should have nothing to be worried about. I had doctor appointments that were triggering experiences for me, and counsellors that would refuse to see me again. I felt like every time I tried to reach out, I was shut down.
With all of this being said, for the first time I see myself actually being able to succeed in school. Being sent the requirement to withdraw was a breaking point for me.
For the first time in years, I am regaining the motivation that I lost so long ago. I do consider myself an intelligent young person and one of my favorite things to do is learn. I have always genuinely loved school and although my grades the last few years have suffered greatly, this is not a reflection of my potential for hard-work and success. I am extremely hard-working and am confident that I am ready to prove that.
In order to overcome this challenge with my mental health and no longer allowing it to impact my school work, I reached out to both a healthcare professional and a personal counsellor (both of their letters are provided in this appeal). Thanks to their help I have made some significant life changes that are further outlined in my academic plan. I genuinely feel that I have filled my life with all of the essential tools and resources that I need in order to move on successfully and safely. I have found a new apartment where I will be living by myself, in a safe environment without distractions. Additionally, I have started seeing a counsellor regularly, who has provided me with a solid education on mental health and has provided me with amazing resources and tools that I am responding well to. I also have a very supportive GP who has prescribed me with a medication that has played a huge role in my recovery. Finally, I have let go and shared everything with my loved ones, which as a result has given me confidence in my future and has assured me that I have the support system that I need.
The letters that are being provided as documentation are from my family doctor and my counsellor. Both have been with me through this entire situation, and they both state in their letters that I am ready to return to school.
I ask that you please consider allowing my re-enrolment.
Sincerely,
Sophie Chapple
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Dear Jill Atkinson,
Although I am thoroughly interested in my course of study and have always been an extremely hardworking individual, struggles with my mental wellbeing over the past few years have greatly impacted my motivation. I lost all motivation in regards to most aspects of my life, and in this case most notably my schoolwork. I failed to get out of my apartment most days, leading me to miss classes and thus avoid readings and fail to complete the required coursework.
For the first time since I moved to Kingston in the fall of 2015, I moved back home for several months to be with my family. It is during this time that I truly began taking steps to learn valuable coping tools in order for me to find success. After contacting my family doctor, she confirmed that my loss of motivation was greatly caused by a bout of depression and an ongoing anxiety disorder.
Together, my doctor and I formulated a plan for me to understand why I have been struggling and how to overcome day to day hurdles. Several months ago I received a recommendation to see a counsellor with whom I got on with extremely well. She is somebody that I trusted immediately, and have continued to see since then. Additionally, I am responding well to medical treatment and have learned extremely beneficial skills to help me improve how I deal with certain situations.
In order to set myself up for success, I have made several significant changes to my life.
To sum it up:
1. I have significantly simplified my life in several ways:
I have greatly reduced my job hours (from 30+ hours a week to a max of 10-15 hours a week)
I have responsibly rehomed a high maintenance pet
2. I am learning about self-care and educating myself on ways in which I can succeed:
I remain in close contact with my counsellor although we no longer live in the same city
I have the constant support of my family doctor
Upon paying tuition, I will be in contact with the Student Wellness Services Centre in order to meet with a counsellor that is in close proximity and available to meet with me in person on a regular basis
3. I have changed living situations:
I now live in a small bachelor apartment which I can maintain and live without distractions
I removed myself from a dangerous living situation in which I was living in previous years
I am located much closer to campus making it easier for me to attend class
Although I remain in close contact with my personal counsellor, I will be reaching out and taking advantage of the Student Wellness Services that Queen¿¿s offers. Although I have had a bad experience in the past, my current counsellor has strongly suggested that I establish a local relationship with a counsellor which I am looking forward to doing as soon as I am able to pay my tuition and enrol at Queen¿¿s once again. Additionally I remain on medication that has helped immensely, and have a strong support system of loved ones around me with whom I can be honest and ask for help when needed.
Overall, I have made some very large and very promising life changes in order to set myself up for success at school this year. I finally feel as though I have the tools necessary to be successful and have never been as motivated as I am now. Although several of these decisions have been difficult, such as finding a new apartment and going through a move as well as having to find a new home for a loved pet, I know that I have made the best decisions for myself and for me to succeed. I ask that you please give me another chance. I have never not valued school and education, and going to Queen¿¿s is something I¿¿ve always dreamed of and do not take lightly. I have never been somebody that has struggled with school and have always thoroughly enjoyed learning. I ask that you please consider my struggles with mental health and wellbeing as extenuating circumstances, and that you accept the provided documentation as proof from two different professionals that I am now in a good place and ready for a second chance. As noted in the documentation, both of professionals who have worked closely with me throughout this situation are confident that I am now able to return to school with success.
Sincerely,
Sophie Chapple
Although I am thoroughly interested in my course of study and have always been an extremely hardworking individual, struggles with my mental wellbeing over the past few years have greatly impacted my motivation. I lost all motivation in regards to most aspects of my life, and in this case most notably my schoolwork. I failed to get out of my apartment most days, leading me to miss classes and thus avoid readings and fail to complete the required coursework.
For the first time since I moved to Kingston in the fall of 2015, I moved back home for several months to be with my family. It is during this time that I truly began taking steps to learn valuable coping tools in order for me to find success. After contacting my family doctor, she confirmed that my loss of motivation was greatly caused by a bout of depression and an ongoing anxiety disorder.
Together, my doctor and I formulated a plan for me to understand why I have been struggling and how to overcome day to day hurdles. Several months ago I received a recommendation to see a counsellor with whom I got on with extremely well. She is somebody that I trusted immediately, and have continued to see since then. Additionally, I am responding well to medical treatment and have learned extremely beneficial skills to help me improve how I deal with certain situations.
In order to set myself up for success, I have made several significant changes to my life.
To sum it up:
1. I have significantly simplified my life in several ways:
I have greatly reduced my job hours (from 30+ hours a week to a max of 10-15 hours a week)
I have responsibly rehomed a high maintenance pet
2. I am learning about self-care and educating myself on ways in which I can succeed:
I remain in close contact with my counsellor although we no longer live in the same city
I have the constant support of my family doctor
Upon paying tuition, I will be in contact with the Student Wellness Services Centre in order to meet with a counsellor that is in close proximity and available to meet with me in person on a regular basis
3. I have changed living situations:
I now live in a small bachelor apartment which I can maintain and live without distractions
I removed myself from a dangerous living situation in which I was living in previous years
I am located much closer to campus making it easier for me to attend class
Although I remain in close contact with my personal counsellor, I will be reaching out and taking advantage of the Student Wellness Services that Queen¿¿s offers. Although I have had a bad experience in the past, my current counsellor has strongly suggested that I establish a local relationship with a counsellor which I am looking forward to doing as soon as I am able to pay my tuition and enrol at Queen¿¿s once again. Additionally I remain on medication that has helped immensely, and have a strong support system of loved ones around me with whom I can be honest and ask for help when needed.
Overall, I have made some very large and very promising life changes in order to set myself up for success at school this year. I finally feel as though I have the tools necessary to be successful and have never been as motivated as I am now. Although several of these decisions have been difficult, such as finding a new apartment and going through a move as well as having to find a new home for a loved pet, I know that I have made the best decisions for myself and for me to succeed. I ask that you please give me another chance. I have never not valued school and education, and going to Queen¿¿s is something I¿¿ve always dreamed of and do not take lightly. I have never been somebody that has struggled with school and have always thoroughly enjoyed learning. I ask that you please consider my struggles with mental health and wellbeing as extenuating circumstances, and that you accept the provided documentation as proof from two different professionals that I am now in a good place and ready for a second chance. As noted in the documentation, both of professionals who have worked closely with me throughout this situation are confident that I am now able to return to school with success.
Sincerely,
Sophie Chapple
Documentation
Professional Letter: Tonya Castle.pdf
Document: Dr. Linda Deppisch-0.pdf