Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Thursday, May 23, 2019
To whom it may concern,
I am writing this letter to ask for any consideration you may be able to provide with regards to my academic status. I take full responsibility for the marks I earned during the beginning of my time at Queens. I struggled with the transition from high school to University and made many decisions during my first year that were not conducive to my studies. However, I have made changes, which have improved my grades, as seen on my transcripts. In addition, I faced extenuating circumstances further complicating my past year. I would like to take this opportunity to explain the circumstances I have faced as well as outline the changes I intend to make to continue bringing my marks up in the hopes you may consider allowing me to continue my education at Queens University.
First, I would like to make you aware of my circumstances at home concerning my father¿¿s deteriorating health. In addition to the overwhelming stress and sadness I have experienced, I have had to return home frequently this past year to help him. He has a brain tumour, growing much more rapidly than the doctors anticipated, causing him various mental problems. I have had to return home to help him with various responsibilities, drive him to appointments (he no longer can), as well as accompany him to various doctor consults and surgeries. This has caused me to occasionally miss class, impacting my overall performance, particularly in classes where the material built on each other weekly, such as Math 121 Calculus. My grandparents have recently moved back to the area and have been an enormous help in caring for my father. Although this may not lessen my grief over the situation, it will help to take some of the responsibility for my father off of me and allow me to consistently attend my classes in the future.
After being placed on academic probation, I made a sincere effort to improve my marks. I arranged regular tutoring sessions in Math and Physics and re-evaluated the people I was spending time with and the effect it was having on me. Regardless of the unfortunate circumstances I had faced this year, I felt confident and prepared to take my exams. However, I have struggled with anxiety for years and this, coupled with the grief I was constantly feeling over my father¿¿s health seemed to spike to an all time high during exam week, especially knowing my entire future may be at stake, making it near impossible to concentrate. In the past, I have sought treatment with little success leading to frustration and disappointment. However, following the events of finals week, I realize that this anxiety and grief is not something I can, or should, live with and I need to continue seeking a treatment that is effective for me. I have set up evaluations with a new psychologist and psychiatrist near my home and intend to make it my goal this summer to do everything I can to find a way to better deal with my anxiety and grief, particularly during stressful situations.
Another change I plan to make is regarding my living arrangements. This past year I lived in an off campus house with 3 other students I did not initially know as well as I should have. They threw constant parties, day and night, making it impossible to study there and very difficult to sleep. I have identified lack of sleep as one of my triggers for anxiety and now understand how imperative it is for me to find a better, healthier living situation. If I am granted the opportunity to continue at Queens, I intend to move in with Physics tutor, who ended up becoming a close friend and a much better choice of roommates.
If you look at my transcripts, you will see my overall performance has vastly improved over the last year brining my average to slightly below where I need to be. Given the extenuating circumstances, I am hoping you will allow me the opportunity enact the plan I have laid out to continue improving my grades and allow me the chance to keep working towards my goals at Queens University. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Nicholas Denniston