Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To Whom It May Concern,

I am appealing to have the following courses converted to ¿¿NG¿ status on my transcript: PSYC 100 (Winter, 2010), CHEM 112B (Winter, 2011), GPHY 101 (Winter 2011), and PSYC 100 (Winter 2011). In addition, I request that the grade from HLTH 102 (Winter 2010) be granted ¿¿credit standing¿. Lastly, I would like the Academic Probation status from 2011 to be lifted.

I am currently enrolled at Queen¿¿s as an Interest Student in the Arts and Science Online program and have not been granted access into the degree program. When I was previously enrolled at Queen¿¿s University in 2009-2011, I was experiencing major depressive disorder and chronic anxiety, in addition to a diagnosis of ADHD and sleep apnea. My mental health illness was associated with the tragic death of my father.

During my studies at Queen¿¿s, I was in the care of a Psychiatrist at the LaSalle Building. I was being treated with medication and talk therapy. There were no significant improvements to my mental health from the treatment I received during that time. The symptoms of my ADHD were exacerbated by my depression and anxiety, which became debilitating at times.

In some courses, my anxiety would often prevent me from being able to leave my house on test and exam days. These were mainly the courses with multiple choice style exams and courses with large amounts of students. This often resulted in failed courses.

In Winter of 2011, my mental health was at its worst. At this time, I was 18 years old. I had a hard time leaving the house ¿¿ I rarely ate and often stayed in bed all day alone. When I missed the drop dates for my courses that semester, my crippling anxiety hindered me from speaking with an Academic Advisor for guidance. I was embarrassed and ashamed by my mental state and the grades I was receiving. Instead, I avoided dealing with it because the task felt insurmountable, though I knew my grades were not representative of my true academic abilities. When the semester ended, I moved home and did not return to Queen¿¿s in the Fall.

I have gone to therapy regularly since leaving Queen¿¿s in 2011. I have made modifications in all areas of my life to positively impact my mental health from increasing physical activity, to improving eating habits, to consistent journaling and meditation. I have made great strides in my personal and professional life. I graduated from The Institute of Holistic Nutrition with First Class Honours in 2015. I currently own and operate my own Nutritional Consulting business as a Certified Nutritional Practitioner / Registered Orthomolecular Healthcare Practitioner. I have married a supportive partner and had two children, who I raised at home for years, while running my business from home.

My vision is to graduate from Queen¿¿s with a degree in psychology, then apply for a Master¿¿s in Social Work. My goal is to offer a comprehensive nutritional counselling service in the future with a focus on fertility, prenatal and postpartum health. My concern is that my transcripts from a decade ago may interfere my acceptance into a Master¿¿s program in the future. I have worked tirelessly to create a better life for myself and would be devastated if my past illness held me back from my true potential moving forward. I know that I am capable of more than what my transcript reflects, which is evident from my first course back at Queen¿¿s in Summer 2020. I completed WRIT 120 and received an A- (3.7 GPA). I am a hard-working individual with limitless determination.

I am committed and dedicated to doing everything in my power to ensure that I am successful in my studies now that I have returned. I continue to see a therapist regularly to maintain a healthy and stable mental state. I meet with a Peer Mentor. I have connected with accessibility services to receive accommodations for my ADHD. I have connected with a Queen¿¿s learning strategist, Gail Eaton-Smith, to strengthen my academic areas of weakness. I am utilizing the resources offered by Student Wellness Services as well as the Student Academic Success Services. I have began group therapy for students learning to cope with stress and anxiety with Jo-ann Ferreira of the Smith School of Business at Queen¿¿s. I am not taking a full course load at this time while I ease into the transition of being a student again.

I am confident that now¿¿as a mature student, a working professional, and a mother¿¿I have gained the tools and skill set I need to successfully complete a degree at Queen¿¿s University.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

Andrea Lebovic
06126430