Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Stephenson,



I am appealing to drop CHEM114 (Summer 2020), after receiving my final grade on October 29th.

As you may know, I had a first onset panic attack during my final exam for CHEM114. Specifically, this attack started within 20 minutes of me writing my exam and lasted for about forty minutes. During this time, I experienced hyperventilation and nausea, as well as extreme difficulties concentrating. I experienced clouding of my vision and difficulty reading the questions in front of me due to being completely overwhelmed by my panic attack. As soon as I was able to, I communicated my difficulties to my exam proctor, who made a report and gave me permission to leave my exam. In addition, I followed up with my professor several hours after the exam to let him know what happened. Nevertheless, my exam attempt has been labeled as valid and has resulted in a failing grade.

I believe that the panic attack that I had was not representative of my efforts in CHEM114 and thus should be considered in that context. To reinforce this point, I want to draw your attention to several points of notice. First, before CHEM114, I enrolled in and completed CHEM113 earlier in the summer of 2020, for which I received a grade of A+.

Second, prior to my panic attack in the CHEM114 exam, I demonstrated my dedication and conscientiousness as a student, having completed my assignments in a timely manner. I also scored 100 on an open book midterm exam. Taken together, I believe these points demonstrate that my failed exam attempt was not the product of academic misconduct or avoidance, but rather an unanticipated psychological presentation that undermined my best efforts.

Approximately one week before my final exam, I began to experience an increase in anxiety levels that I had never encountered before. I let my professor know that I was feeling extremely anxious and thankfully I was able to defer my exam by one week. During this time, I tried to arrange for a counselling appointment at Centennial College, where I am currently enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Technician program. Unfortunately, I was unable to receive an appointment in the time frame I requested. I therefore requested future appointments with Dr. Bahar Haji-Khamneh at the Mindfulness Clinic, whom I am currently seeing on a bi-weekly basis. Additionally, I contacted my TA to set up a meeting about the last module of the course that I felt anxious about. Ultimately, I did my best to manage my anxiety through meditation techniques and coping mechanisms I have previously learned. Unfortunately, though I did find that I had increased anxiety that led to my request to a deferral of my exam, I did not and could not anticipate the panic attack that I had.

Having completed my undergraduate degree in Violin Performance at the University of Toronto, I am used to stressful examination situations. During my undergrad, I had to perform my exams in front of a panel of judges. In general, I felt as though these performance exams better prepared me for managing my anxiety during written exams as well. I have never experienced a panic attack or higher than normal levels of anxiety during an exam, nor have I ever appealed to drop a course due to a failing grade. I can demonstrate this in my academic history records. I believe that it was a combination of life stressors and general anxiety that produced my panic attack. In late July, I received notice that two of my long-term contracts for jobs I had lined up in the music industry had been cancelled, and that we would not be receiving financial compensation. This caused me financial and emotional stress as I struggled to pay my tuition for my upcoming graduate program I had been accepted to for the Fall semester. Additionally, I learned around that same time that the Medical Laboratory Technician program I had been enrolled in had suspended my Fall hospital placement until further notice due the COVID-19. I felt the weight of having no job prospects and the importance of this exam for my future, which caused me further stress. I feel as though these additional circumstances on top of my predisposed anxiety caused me to experience levels of stress and anxiety that I have not experienced previously.

As a result of these circumstances outside my control, I had difficulty coping with these events in addition to managing my declining mental health in general. I began seeing Dr. Haji-Khamneh soon after my experience during my exam, as I realized that I would need help on a continual basis in managing my anxiety levels. I have since received several diagnoses that cause symptoms of anxiety, depression and panic attacks. I have been put on medication to help mitigate these symptoms. I am determined to overcome these obstacles that mental illness has put in front of me, as I do not want to let them get in the way of my goals, educational and otherwise. I am currently in graduate school at the University of Toronto, where I am taking a lighter course load of only two courses in the Fall semester. I will reassess my situation in the Winter semester to determine if I need to adjust my course load. I am hoping to retake CHEM114 in the Winter or Summer semester, or the equivalent at U of T, should I feel mentally fit to do so. This lighter load will allow me the time and space I need to address my mental health and well-being, so that when I am faced with a similar high-stress exam situation in the future, I am equipped with proper coping techniques and skills.

In conclusion, I want to reiterate my appeal to drop CHEM114. I hope that I have comprehensively outlined my reasons for this request. Specifically, I believe that my previous academic performance to date demonstrates that I am serious about my studies and that the panic attack I had during my exam was unforeseeable.



Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

Sincerely,

Gemma Donn