Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of Arts and Science,

I am appealing to the Faculty to extend the final submission date of several of my courses and your permission to late drop one of them. The courses that I am applying for an incomplete or an extension of an incomplete are: Laboratory in Comparative Cognition- Cognitive Origins (PSYCH 355, Winter 2019), Cellular Basis of Adaptation (BIOL 431, Fall 2018), and Social Psychology (PSYCH 241, Fall 2018). The course that I am appealing to late drop is Selected Topics in Psychology I: Gender Hormones & Behaviour (PSYCH 398, Winter 2019).

My extenuating circumstances began in the Winter of 2018. Since that time, I have not had the opportunity to recover fully and seek the proper help I need, which is explained in the timeline provided below.

In the Winter semester of 2018, I experienced a major depressive episode induced by struggling to meet my own high standards and the belief that my learning disabilities made my future, after my undergraduate degree, extremely bleak. During this time, I had an even harder time keeping up with all my course work, even though I was enrolled in QSAS and spent all my time working on school work. Soon after, my mental health worsened and I decided that the best course of action was to drop all my classes, with the exception of one of them. I made this decision under the advisement of friends, mental health counsellors and academic counsellors.

During that summer, I did not seek professional help at the school because the open availabilities were limited and inconsistent. I also could not seek help outside the school through a private clinic, because I did not have health insurance that covered it. In addition, I was very busy with daily MCAT prep class that I was forced to take because they were paid for months in advance and were not refundable. After struggling through that course, I was sent to the United States to work for my dad. At this time, I did not have the luxury of worrying about myself. Every day, I was plagued by fear for my father's company and mental health of my parents and older sibling; therefore, my summer plans of getting well had to be put on hold because I was faced with the task of supporting and being strong for my family and the company.

When I came back to school for the Fall 2018 semester I was not cognitively and mentally prepared for school for the demands of university. In addition, I was not given the opportunity to take time off of school by my parents who pay for my schooling. Thus, I tried to make the best of my situation by seeking out resources like counselling, QSAS accommodations, checking in with a doctor at La Salle, using medication, joining clubs to help me feel like I was still a part of a community, and communicating openly with my professors. Nonetheless, I did poorly both academically and socially because I was not healing at a fast enough rate so that I could meet the demands that were being placed upon me. Even though I had supportive friends and an amazing boyfriend, my remission over my depression was and still is, slow and it impacted my ability to understand, focus, remember, and to do work in a timely manner. These problems remained present through the entire school year, which is why I still have assignment and exams that I need, and still want to complete. I would be extremely grateful if I were given the opportunity to finish the courses that I have started this year so that I can come back next year and just complete my remaining electives for my degree.

Moving forward, I plan to work this summer to fund my own therapy, ADHD assessment and physically actives (i.e. gym membership), all of which are essential in bettering my mental and physical health. In turn, it will help me build better coping mechanisms and balance in my life. By reflecting on these past experiences, I understand that to reach my full potential and to help others reach theirs, I need to be more self-compassionate and find internal stability, as well as be honest with my parents about my problems so that they know and understand my limitations. I want to resume doing yoga regularly and learn more about the different branches which will, in turn, teach me to be more mindful and expressing gratefulness in a healthier and more productive way. I now understand that I am a bright individual that is valuable, and that I just need to obtain the tools to help me reach my true potential. I hope that still summer I can finally focus on my wellbeing and finishing this year's course to the best of my ability, as I was not able to do so before.

I hope that in my letter I was able to convey my situation and my plan for the future clearly. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask via my email (15jaa@queensu.ca) or my phone number (647-938-9100). Thank you so much for your time and for reading my request.

Sincerely,
Javanah Alloysius