Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Zarak Khan
Student ID: 10107926
13zk2@queensu.ca
16th March 2019

Subject: Request to Return to Studies after 3 year withdrawal

Dear Associate Dean,
My name is Zarak Khan and I was a first year undergrad student of the Faculty of Arts and Science in 2013. I have been on an involuntary academic dismissal since 2016, which was notified to me via email on May 24th 2016.
I am writing to your esteemed office to reinstate me for the summer and fall semesters 2019-2020 and continue to complete my Bachelor's Degree at Faculty of Arts and Science in Queen's University.
Although I neglected my studies greatly and showed virtually no interest in improving my grades in the past, I would like an opportunity to demonstrate to you that I am a changed person today with the skills and the mindset required to overcome the barriers I faced previously. I would like to explain the circumstances that caused my below average performance at school.
Barriers to Success in the Past
I joined Queen's University Undergrad Program in 2013. After a few unsuccessful years, I was required to withdraw for three years.
I am now more than ready and intend to return to studies, achieve better grades, and graduate from Queen's University with a Major in Global Development Studies.
In the past, I lacked motivation and time management skills that greatly affected my grades. I was in a spiral of procrastination, failure and demotivation. I also did not seek help from the University Student Council or my family, as I was too embarrassed to admit failure.
Fortunately, the past three years of working in Toronto, time spent in consultations with family and in personal reflection and realization, and exercising regularly at the gym has equipped me with the motivation, the right mindset and life skills and determination to succeed. Today, I am a mentally and physically improved version of myself.

Strategies for Success
a) Motivation:
In the past three years, I worked minimum wage jobs and found no possibility of a promotion or being in a position to make a difference in the society. That is when I realized, if I want to progress in life and improve anything in the society that I live in, I must at least have a university degree.
This realization is the sole motivation that I need to work diligently and effectively towards achieving a degree from a reputable university like Queens.

b) Time Management:
I learned to manage time effectively while I was working. Regular exercise has greatly improved my thinking and strategizing skills. My early morning time at the gym helps me reflect on and plan the day ahead and keeps me mentally and physically active all day. I am now fully conversant in drawing up weekly schedules and following them. I will continue to construct weekly timetable of; classes, study, work, leisure and exercise, and will follow them religiously. Any lapses in the plan will be analyzed and remedied on a daily and weekly basis.

c) Maximum Attendance and Exams:
I am ashamed to admit that in the past I did not bother to attend classes, hand in assignments, participate in group projects or even sit for most exams.
Of course, I have realized how detrimental that was. I intend to attend all classes, fully participate in projects, complete and hand in all assignments well before time and study for and take all exams. To achieve this I will follow my schedule and; hold regular consultations with the course professors, peer mentors and teaching assistants, access all available campus resources, join study groups. I will also discuss my weekly progress with my mother.
Last but not the least, this time around I am highly motivated, mentally and physically agile, and ready to use all available resources offered by the University and my family to succeed.
If reinstated, I will focus much better on my schoolwork, take fewer hours, and manage my time more wisely.
Sincerely,
Zarak Khan