Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 6670
Submitted: April 30, 2020 at 9:36:10 AM
First Name: Xuedou
Last Name: Lu
Student Number: 20099053
Email: 17xl95@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSH
Plan: BIOL
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Code: BIOL 205
Term: Fall
Year: 2019
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Ian Chin-sang
Code: CHEM 211
Term: Fall
Year: 2019
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: J.Z. Vlahakis
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: I am appealing the Faculty's decision to have credit standing for CHEM 211 (Fall, 2019) and BIOL 205(Fall, 2019).
I have shown symptoms of depression since grade 11. I start to have suicidal thoughts and self-harm attempts. However, I did not get the help I needed by then. My mental health condition worsened during the first year at Queen's, the frequency of suicidal and self-harming attempts increased. In the worst case, I can't step out of my resident floor for about one month, and all I think about is killing myself to end such pain. No one noticed my abnormal behaviour, and I did not take it seriously myself either. Starting my second year at Queen's, I started with five courses but ended up only completing three. At the end of the second year, after a nearly fatal suicide attempt, I talked to a counsellor (Chelsea Stelmach) about my concerns for personal safety. In January, I was able to see a doctor and get some antidepressant medication. I plan to take a term break from school; however, I'm currently taking only one course for the term.
Thinking back, I should not have started the second year under such conditions. Second-year courses are hard, and severe food and sleep disorders do not help with studying at all; my mind was too numb and pessimistic to concentrate, nor felt passionate about any course material. Instead of seeking help, I isolated myself from friends and family. My term grades were horrible(CHEM 211: D+, BIOL 205: C- ), and it lowered my cumulative GPA to the point that I think there is no chance of turning back. I felt hopeless until the academic counsellor informed me about the possibility of credit standing. I see this opportunity as a second chance.
For the last four months, thanks to dear Dr.Windsor, I felt much better under medication. I start eating and sleeping regularly. I will keep in touch with my counsellor and medical professional to keep my mental condition under control. I don't know if it will take over me again, but at least for now, I'm not afraid to face it. I decided to spare some courses in the upcoming summer term to make my studying easier in the following September, and pay more visits to the Student Academic Success Service. I will also start to get in touch with friends and study groups.
I have shown symptoms of depression since grade 11. I start to have suicidal thoughts and self-harm attempts. However, I did not get the help I needed by then. My mental health condition worsened during the first year at Queen's, the frequency of suicidal and self-harming attempts increased. In the worst case, I can't step out of my resident floor for about one month, and all I think about is killing myself to end such pain. No one noticed my abnormal behaviour, and I did not take it seriously myself either. Starting my second year at Queen's, I started with five courses but ended up only completing three. At the end of the second year, after a nearly fatal suicide attempt, I talked to a counsellor (Chelsea Stelmach) about my concerns for personal safety. In January, I was able to see a doctor and get some antidepressant medication. I plan to take a term break from school; however, I'm currently taking only one course for the term.
Thinking back, I should not have started the second year under such conditions. Second-year courses are hard, and severe food and sleep disorders do not help with studying at all; my mind was too numb and pessimistic to concentrate, nor felt passionate about any course material. Instead of seeking help, I isolated myself from friends and family. My term grades were horrible(CHEM 211: D+, BIOL 205: C- ), and it lowered my cumulative GPA to the point that I think there is no chance of turning back. I felt hopeless until the academic counsellor informed me about the possibility of credit standing. I see this opportunity as a second chance.
For the last four months, thanks to dear Dr.Windsor, I felt much better under medication. I start eating and sleeping regularly. I will keep in touch with my counsellor and medical professional to keep my mental condition under control. I don't know if it will take over me again, but at least for now, I'm not afraid to face it. I decided to spare some courses in the upcoming summer term to make my studying easier in the following September, and pay more visits to the Student Academic Success Service. I will also start to get in touch with friends and study groups.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: Off-campus-physician-note