Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 5892
Submitted: June 10, 2019 at 11:00:54 PM
First Name: Fatima
Last Name: Osman Aden
Student Number: 20076751
Email: fatima.osmanaden@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: undeclared
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Dean Jenn Stephenson,
With this letter, I hope to clarify and further explain my extenuating circumstances, which, I believe, have affected my academic performance and should be used in consideration to waive my requirement to withdraw for one year. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to explain my circumstances.
Although I was an excellent student throughout high school, I will admit and take responsibility for not trying my best throughout first year because I was more focused on the social aspect of university, such as making friends and participating in extra curricular activities. As a black and visibly Muslim woman, fitting in has always been a bit of a struggle for me in less diverse institutions and although it was difficult at first, I found friends and a supportive community that made me feel like I belong at Queen's.
This past year was particularly difficult for me because of a traumatic incident that happened in October 2018. After this occurred I did not feel safe anywhere besides my home, and felt especially unsafe at school. I chose not to confide in my close friends about what happened to me because of the shame and stigma surrounding the incident, which as a result made me feel like I did not have adequate support. After a while I found it extremely difficult to complete even the simplest tasks. I barely left my house, had difficulties sleeping which made it very hard to get to classes, isolated myself from my friends and family, and was too overwhelmed to realize how much I was starting to fall behind academically. I realized I needed help, and decided to see a counsellor at the student wellness centre on December 12th, 2018. Due to the severe nature of the incident, the counsellor gave me a note to help me postpone some of my midterm tests and upcoming assignments until I felt ready to complete them but informed me that she could not see me as regularly as a therapist would and that I should look into seeing someone as she felt I had symptoms of depression.
When I arrived home for Christmas break my parents realized I was not doing well and insisted that it would be best that I move and continue my studies in Qatar. I felt so demoralized that I agreed and began to go through many rigorous application processes and applied to several American and Qatari universities in Doha. My focus shifted from doing what I can to get better, to writing application letters, attending interviews with representatives, going back and forth to Toronto and trying to start over in a different place. When really, my focus should have been on healing from what happened to me and sorting out my emotions with a professional.
In March, I was finally able to get an appointment to start seeing a psychologist in Toronto and began to work through some of the issues I was having as a result of the incident. Although my sessions were only once a month because of the distance and limited time I had due to living and studying in Kingston, I found them very helpful.
Currently, I am working full time and because I am able to see my new therapist more frequently, I have sessions twice a week, which I believe have been much more helpful in helping me grow and develop healthier coping mechanisms and habits in relation to dealing with trauma. I will continue to see my therapist as needed, and if readmitted, I will use what I have learned and unlearned in therapy to ensure that I do not abandon my health as I did when I was first experiencing the pain of dealing with this incident. I will take a lighter course load and enrol as a part time student in order to become more patient with this process, my studies, and myself. To support this appeal, I have attached a letter written by my current therapist regarding the incident that occurred. I want to highlight that due to certain circumstances I had to switch to a different therapist earlier this month, though all relevant files were transferred to my current therapist. My previous therapist was unable to provide a letter within the specified dates however if necessary I can request one at a later date. The document is password protected and the password is: calm
In light of the extenuating circumstances I dealt with throughout the past school year, I would ask that you take my circumstances into consideration and allow me to have the opportunity to continue to pursue my studies.
Sincerely,
Fatima Osman Aden
With this letter, I hope to clarify and further explain my extenuating circumstances, which, I believe, have affected my academic performance and should be used in consideration to waive my requirement to withdraw for one year. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to explain my circumstances.
Although I was an excellent student throughout high school, I will admit and take responsibility for not trying my best throughout first year because I was more focused on the social aspect of university, such as making friends and participating in extra curricular activities. As a black and visibly Muslim woman, fitting in has always been a bit of a struggle for me in less diverse institutions and although it was difficult at first, I found friends and a supportive community that made me feel like I belong at Queen's.
This past year was particularly difficult for me because of a traumatic incident that happened in October 2018. After this occurred I did not feel safe anywhere besides my home, and felt especially unsafe at school. I chose not to confide in my close friends about what happened to me because of the shame and stigma surrounding the incident, which as a result made me feel like I did not have adequate support. After a while I found it extremely difficult to complete even the simplest tasks. I barely left my house, had difficulties sleeping which made it very hard to get to classes, isolated myself from my friends and family, and was too overwhelmed to realize how much I was starting to fall behind academically. I realized I needed help, and decided to see a counsellor at the student wellness centre on December 12th, 2018. Due to the severe nature of the incident, the counsellor gave me a note to help me postpone some of my midterm tests and upcoming assignments until I felt ready to complete them but informed me that she could not see me as regularly as a therapist would and that I should look into seeing someone as she felt I had symptoms of depression.
When I arrived home for Christmas break my parents realized I was not doing well and insisted that it would be best that I move and continue my studies in Qatar. I felt so demoralized that I agreed and began to go through many rigorous application processes and applied to several American and Qatari universities in Doha. My focus shifted from doing what I can to get better, to writing application letters, attending interviews with representatives, going back and forth to Toronto and trying to start over in a different place. When really, my focus should have been on healing from what happened to me and sorting out my emotions with a professional.
In March, I was finally able to get an appointment to start seeing a psychologist in Toronto and began to work through some of the issues I was having as a result of the incident. Although my sessions were only once a month because of the distance and limited time I had due to living and studying in Kingston, I found them very helpful.
Currently, I am working full time and because I am able to see my new therapist more frequently, I have sessions twice a week, which I believe have been much more helpful in helping me grow and develop healthier coping mechanisms and habits in relation to dealing with trauma. I will continue to see my therapist as needed, and if readmitted, I will use what I have learned and unlearned in therapy to ensure that I do not abandon my health as I did when I was first experiencing the pain of dealing with this incident. I will take a lighter course load and enrol as a part time student in order to become more patient with this process, my studies, and myself. To support this appeal, I have attached a letter written by my current therapist regarding the incident that occurred. I want to highlight that due to certain circumstances I had to switch to a different therapist earlier this month, though all relevant files were transferred to my current therapist. My previous therapist was unable to provide a letter within the specified dates however if necessary I can request one at a later date. The document is password protected and the password is: calm
In light of the extenuating circumstances I dealt with throughout the past school year, I would ask that you take my circumstances into consideration and allow me to have the opportunity to continue to pursue my studies.
Sincerely,
Fatima Osman Aden
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Dear Dean Jenn Stephenson,
Should my appeal be granted, there are many changes I would make in order to ensure I am successful in my future studies. Given my circumstances, I believe taking a lighter course load by enrolling as a part time student, majoring in a program I am more interested in, managing my time better, and continuing to see my therapist as needed would make a big difference in helping me succeed.
In my second semester of first year, I started a club called Queen's Somali Women's Relief society, to help educate the Queen's and Kingston community on the ongoing issues deterring girls in Somalia from pursuing education. We raised enough money to sponsor a young girl, and helped our partner organization in Somalia provide students with the necessary materials to support their schooling. Throughout this process I became very passionate about global development and invested in understanding how developing countries, specifically how my homeland Somalia, can be helped in increasing awareness on women's rights. Although in second year the club did not have many events, towards the end of the year I was contacted by the refugee resettlement centre (KEYS) to help a non-English speaking family of 9 from Somalia with the process of settling into Kingston. After helping the family for a few weeks, I felt that in the midst of a very chaotic year, I had found a purpose and an area of study that was not just an extra-curricular activity.
Although my major is currently undeclared, I intended on majoring in politics and took all the necessary courses, but I believe working towards majoring in a subject I care for would motivate me to do my best. In addition to this, I believe taking a lighter course load, and becoming a part time student would be very helpful. This would mean, firstly, taking a summer course before returning for the school year. In first semester I would take, DEVS 100A, POLS 366 (The United Nations) and GNDS 365 (Gender Dialogues: Jewish, Muslim and Christian) in first semester. In second semester I would take DEVS 100B, GNDS 311 (Feminist Thought) and POLS347 (The politics of Africa). If I am unable to select these courses with the exception of DEVS100 I would select politics, gender studies, or religion courses related to subjects I am interested in, and will update my plan with these courses as they become available. If granted permission I would take DEVS 230 in second semester in place of GNDS 311 and would take DEVS 240/300 in my summer term. If I do not receive permission, I would take DEVS 230 and DEVS 240 in the summer, followed by DEVS 300 in first semester of my fourth year, and DEVS 492 in second semester.
Although, I am not as passionate about politics as I am about global development, politics is still a subject I am interested in and I did not find my main issue to be with the course material. Rather, I found that my extenuating circumstances in second year and my personal difficulties with time management made dealing with the new expectations and demanding work load of second year much more challenging. Moving forward, if readmitted, I will consult with Student Academic Success Services and other resources for advice and will attend workshops that help me with my time management issues. I will also start attending office hours with my professors and teaching assistants in classes I may struggle in and if necessary will look into a tutor to help me with subjects I may not understand. Additionally, my therapist and I will continue to work together in order to develop personal strategies tailored to help me manage my time better.
The adversity I dealt with in my second year exposed me to many aspects of life I was sheltered from, and ultimately, not ready for, but it has made me stronger. Although, I am currently seeing my therapist twice a week, I will continue to see Dr. Taslim throughout the school year to ensure I am receiving adequate support. I will make time to see my therapist at the beginning and end of every month in person, and if necessary in between my appointments, Dr. Taslim has agreed to make Skype appointments.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to explain my circumstances and construct a plan to help me succeed in my studies moving forward. If readmitted, I will follow through with all parts of my plan and continue to use the necessary resources on campus, strategies and skills learned in therapy and available on-campus help to do better. I believe after making much needed changes such as switching into a better-suited program, learning and unlearning in therapy, and taking a lighter course load I will be better equipped to succeed in my studies.
Sincerely,
Fatima Osman Aden
Should my appeal be granted, there are many changes I would make in order to ensure I am successful in my future studies. Given my circumstances, I believe taking a lighter course load by enrolling as a part time student, majoring in a program I am more interested in, managing my time better, and continuing to see my therapist as needed would make a big difference in helping me succeed.
In my second semester of first year, I started a club called Queen's Somali Women's Relief society, to help educate the Queen's and Kingston community on the ongoing issues deterring girls in Somalia from pursuing education. We raised enough money to sponsor a young girl, and helped our partner organization in Somalia provide students with the necessary materials to support their schooling. Throughout this process I became very passionate about global development and invested in understanding how developing countries, specifically how my homeland Somalia, can be helped in increasing awareness on women's rights. Although in second year the club did not have many events, towards the end of the year I was contacted by the refugee resettlement centre (KEYS) to help a non-English speaking family of 9 from Somalia with the process of settling into Kingston. After helping the family for a few weeks, I felt that in the midst of a very chaotic year, I had found a purpose and an area of study that was not just an extra-curricular activity.
Although my major is currently undeclared, I intended on majoring in politics and took all the necessary courses, but I believe working towards majoring in a subject I care for would motivate me to do my best. In addition to this, I believe taking a lighter course load, and becoming a part time student would be very helpful. This would mean, firstly, taking a summer course before returning for the school year. In first semester I would take, DEVS 100A, POLS 366 (The United Nations) and GNDS 365 (Gender Dialogues: Jewish, Muslim and Christian) in first semester. In second semester I would take DEVS 100B, GNDS 311 (Feminist Thought) and POLS347 (The politics of Africa). If I am unable to select these courses with the exception of DEVS100 I would select politics, gender studies, or religion courses related to subjects I am interested in, and will update my plan with these courses as they become available. If granted permission I would take DEVS 230 in second semester in place of GNDS 311 and would take DEVS 240/300 in my summer term. If I do not receive permission, I would take DEVS 230 and DEVS 240 in the summer, followed by DEVS 300 in first semester of my fourth year, and DEVS 492 in second semester.
Although, I am not as passionate about politics as I am about global development, politics is still a subject I am interested in and I did not find my main issue to be with the course material. Rather, I found that my extenuating circumstances in second year and my personal difficulties with time management made dealing with the new expectations and demanding work load of second year much more challenging. Moving forward, if readmitted, I will consult with Student Academic Success Services and other resources for advice and will attend workshops that help me with my time management issues. I will also start attending office hours with my professors and teaching assistants in classes I may struggle in and if necessary will look into a tutor to help me with subjects I may not understand. Additionally, my therapist and I will continue to work together in order to develop personal strategies tailored to help me manage my time better.
The adversity I dealt with in my second year exposed me to many aspects of life I was sheltered from, and ultimately, not ready for, but it has made me stronger. Although, I am currently seeing my therapist twice a week, I will continue to see Dr. Taslim throughout the school year to ensure I am receiving adequate support. I will make time to see my therapist at the beginning and end of every month in person, and if necessary in between my appointments, Dr. Taslim has agreed to make Skype appointments.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to explain my circumstances and construct a plan to help me succeed in my studies moving forward. If readmitted, I will follow through with all parts of my plan and continue to use the necessary resources on campus, strategies and skills learned in therapy and available on-campus help to do better. I believe after making much needed changes such as switching into a better-suited program, learning and unlearning in therapy, and taking a lighter course load I will be better equipped to succeed in my studies.
Sincerely,
Fatima Osman Aden